Actinically degenerate elastic tissue: the prime antigen in the giant cell (temporal) arteritis syndrome? New data from the posterior ciliary arteries.
OBJECTIVE
To search for evidence of actinic elastotic degeneration (actinic arteriopathy) and giant cell arteritis (GCA) in the posterior ciliary arteries of eyes from aged white Australians.


METHODS
Three hundred donor eyes were given to us by the Lions Eye Bank of New South Wales at Sydney Hospital. Of these, 146 formed the basis of this study. Portions of the posterior ciliary arteries located in relation to the optic nerve heads were processed in paraffin and were then stained by a sensitive haematoxylin and eosin stain that had been especially developed to display actinic elastotic degeneration of elastic tissue.


RESULTS
Among 60 "aged" subjects (70-90 yrs.), a total of 41 (approximately 68%) showed definite changes of actinic elastotic degeneration in their laminae, a condition called actinic arteriopathy. One of these subjects revealed giant cells on degenerate lamina, giving a picture regarded as early (pre-clinical) GCA. A young "control" group of 60 subjects 17-59 years of age revealed only one subject with a similar degree of actinic arteriopathy.


CONCLUSIONS
Actinic arteriopathy of the posterior ciliary arteries was more frequent and advanced in the "aged", over-70 group as compared with changes in the "young" group < 60 years of age. One aged subject without a history of eye disease showed giant cells associated with elastotically degenerate internal elastic lamina. Her fortuitous lesions are regarded as indicative of how GCA is likely to begin in the damaged arteries.
O'Brien
J P
JP
Pathology Laboratory, Wales Medical Centre, Sydney, Australia.
Regan
W
W
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000032:analysis*; D019842:Ciliary Arteries / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology*; D004547:Elastic Tissue / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D013700:Giant Cell Arteritis / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
D001324:Autoantigens