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Abstract #10236 Published in IGR 6-1
Immunohistochemical classification and functional morphology of human choroidal ganglion cells
May CA; Neuhuber W; Lutjen-Drecoll EInvestigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science 2004; 45: 361-367
PURPOSE: To characterize human choroidal ganglion cells (CGCs) further, with regard to their immunohistochemical and ultrastructural appearance and their pre- and postsynaptic connections. METHODS: Choroidal wholemounts and serial sections of human donor eyes were stained with antibodies against neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), vesicular monoaminergic transporter (VMAT)-2, vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT), neuropeptide Y (NPY), substance P (SP), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), calretinin, galanin, synaptophysin, and alpha-smooth muscle actin. Ultra-thin sections of glutaraldehyde-fixed eyes were studied with an electron microscope. RESULTS: All CGCs stained for nNOS, most for VIP, approximately 45% for calretinin, and only single neurons for NPY and galanin. Ultrastructurally, the CGCs showed an incomplete glial sheath and, in places, showed close contact to surrounding collagen fibrils. The CGCs were in close contact with numerous boutons staining for the different neuronal markers including synaptophysin, nNOS, VIP, NPY, TH, VMAT-2, VAChT, calretinin, and NPY. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate a complex integrative function of CGCs. The immunohistochemical and ultrastructural characteristics also indicate that the CGCs may have mechanosensory properties. The complex synaptic information points to a specific regulative CGC function in parallel with ciliary muscle contraction (accommodation). Axons originating from CGCs mainly supply the choroidal vasculature, thus implicating the CGCs as vasodilative neurons, but single CGCs may also innervate other structures such as nonvascular choroidal smooth muscle cells.
Dr. C.A. May, Department of Anatomy II, Friedrich-Alexander University, Erlangen, Germany. albrecht.may@anatomie2.med.uni-erlangen.de
Classification:
2.12 Choroid, peripapillary choroid, peripapillary atrophy (Part of: 2 Anatomical structures in glaucoma)
3.3 Immunohistochemistry (Part of: 3 Laboratory methods)
