[Cell culture of human lamina cribrosa in vitro].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the physiology and pathology of the biosynthesis of extracellular matrix (ECM) by lamina cribrosa cells (LCC) and to establish a model of cultured LCC.


METHODS
The LCC of 10 human dead fetal eyes were cultured with enzyme digestion procedures in vitro. The cultured cells were identified by immunohistochemistry assays and electron microscopy.


RESULTS
The cultured cells were flat, polygonal in shape, and their cytoplasm contained abundant perinuclear granules. The nuclei were relatively transparent and nucleoli were clear, there were basement membrane-like material and ECM surrounding the cell membrane. The immunofluorescent staining was positive for collagen type I, III, IV, fibronectin and laminin, negative for glial fibrillar acid protein and factor-VIII. The characteristics mentioned above were coincident with the morphology of LCC. This cell line has been cultured to its fourth generation.


CONCLUSIONS
We have successfully cultured a cell line of LCC, and it may be utilized in the study of pathogenesis of glaucoma.
Luo
X
X
Department of Ophthalmology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical University, Wuhan.
Wei
H
H
Liu
S
S
D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D005333:Fetus; D006801:Humans; D012590:Sclera / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure
D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins