In vivo laser confocal microscopic analysis of murine cornea and lens microstructures.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the current study is to investigate in vivo microstructures of anterior segments of normal murine eyes by new-generation in vivo laser confocal microscopy.


METHODS
Twenty-six corneas and lenses from 13 mice were analyzed by in vivo laser confocal microscopy.


RESULTS
Murine corneal superficial cells formed a polygonal cell pattern, with a mean cell density of 577 +/- 115 cells/mm2 (mean +/- standard deviation). Corneal basal epithelial cells had dark cytoplasm and were closely organized (9,312 +/- 1,777 cells/mm2). Sub-basal nerve fiber bundles were arranged in a whorl pattern, with both clockwise and counter-clockwise patterns. In the stroma, keratocytes were observed as numerous reflective stellate structures. The endothelial cells were organized in a honeycomb pattern (2,463 +/- 292 cells/mm2). Deeper inside the eye, murine lens epithelial cells were organized in a regular pattern (4,168 +/- 636 cells/mm2) and numerous lens fibers were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
In vivo laser confocal microscopy can provide high-resolution images of all corneal layers and lens structures of mice without sacrificing animals or tissue preparation.
Yuasa
Masashi
M
Department of Ophthalmology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa, Japan.
Kobayashi
Akira
A
Yokogawa
Hideaki
H
Sugiyama
Kazuhisa
K
D000818:Animals; D002452:Cell Count; D003315:Cornea / Q000166:cytology* / Q000294:innervation*; D004728:Endothelium, Corneal / Q000166:cytology; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000166:cytology; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000166:cytology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal / Q000379:methods*; D009412:Nerve Fibers