Extracellular matrix of the optic nerve lamina cribrosa in monkey eyes with experimentally induced glaucoma

The changes of immunoreactivity and immunolocalization of the extracellular matrices (ECM), collagen type I through VI, laminin, fibronectin and alpha-elastin, of optic nerve lamina cribrosa in argon laser induced glaucoma in monkey eyes were examined using a immunohistochemical method, biotin-streptavidin system. The results were consistent with the previous findings that in the experimental glaucoma eyes, diffuse immunoreactivity of collagen type I, III, V, VI, fibronectin were detected in the thickened and irregular laminar beams, while linear staining for collagen type IV and laminin were seen around the laminar beams and vascular walls were densely, thickly and irregularly, and furthermore immunoreactivity for alpha-elastin was reduced markedly in the glial columns and moderately in the lamina cribrosa. In the lamina cribrosa with optic disc cupping in laser-induced monkey glaucoma, the immunoreactivity for alpha-elastin was changed most greatly, and no qualitative differences were detected in comparison with normal fellow eyes for the other ECM components.