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Abstract #8867 Published in IGR 5-2
The optic nerve head region of the aged rat: an immunohistochemical investigation
May CACurrent Eye Research 2003; 26: 347-354
PURPOSE: To study age-related changes in the rat optic nerve head. METHODS: Eyes of young (two month) and senescent (20 month) Wistar rats were stained with antibodies against collagen type I, III, IV, VI, laminin, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and connexin 43. RESULTS: In the senescent animals, an increase of collagen type I and VI, and of connexin 43 was observed in the lamina cribrosa region. In addition, connexin 43 was newly formed in the optic nerve sheath of old animals. Collagen type III and IV, laminin and GFAP did not show age-related alterations. CONCLUSIONS: The changes described differ substantially from those described in the rat glaucoma model. Since rodent age-related changes are similar to those found in human lamina cribrosa, the rat model would seem to be useful for studying the influence of age on the onset of glaucoma.
Dr. C.A. May, Friedrich-Alexander Universität, Anatomisches Institut II, Erlangen, Germany
Classification:
2.14 Optic disc (Part of: 2 Anatomical structures in glaucoma)
3.3 Immunohistochemistry (Part of: 3 Laboratory methods)
5 Experimental glaucoma; animal models
