Ultrastructural changes in laminar optic nerve capillaries of beagles with primary open-angle glaucoma.
Ultrastructural examination of optic nerve capillaries in the canine lamina cribrosa revealed many spherical, membrane-bound, electron-dense inclusions that closely resembled Weibel-Palade bodies, in pericytes and endothelial cells of preglaucomatous, early, moderately, and advanced affected Beagles with hereditary primary open-angle glaucoma. This ultrastructural difference between the laminar capillary endothelial cells of normal and glaucomatous Beagles could represent a functional vascular disorder, because Weibel-Palade bodies are associated with microcirculatory abnormalities.
Department of Urban Practice, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville 37901-1071.
D E
DE
Brooks
D A
DA
Samuelson
K N
KN
Gelatt
D000818:Animals; D002196:Capillaries / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D004285:Dogs; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009900:Optic Nerve / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000648:ultrastructure