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OBJECTIVE: To identify the muscarinic receptor subtype-3 (M3-receptor) expression in the trabecular meshwork (TM) of normal human eyes and eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and to discuss the pathological changes of TM in POAG. METHODS: TM specimens were taken from five normal subjects and ten patients with late-stage POAG. Then, the LSAB immunohistochemical technique was used to identify M3-receptors. The results were observed under a microscope and compared with a computer-image-analysis system. RESULTS: The TM cells in all five normal subjects expressed M3-receptors. The positive cells mainly existed in the uveal part of the TM, from Schwalbe's line to the scleral spur. In the TM from eyes with POAG, the amount of both TM cells and M3-receptor positive cells was clearly reduced, some specimens even had no such positive expression. The positive cells were correspondingly decreased in number, and were scattered in distribution. CONCLUSIONS: TM cells in normal human eyes express M3-receptors. TM cells and M3-positive cells in eyes with late-stage POAG are reduced in number, and their distribution is irregular. LA: Chinese
Dr Luo S, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510060, China
2.5 Meshwork (Part of: 2 Anatomical structures in glaucoma)