Cross-linked actin networks (CLANs) are present in lamina cribrosa cells

Raly Job, Vignesh Raja, Ian Grierson, Laura Currie, Steven O'Reilly, Natalie Pollock, Emma Knight, Abbot F. Clark

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

23 Scopus citations

Abstract

Aims: A study was undertaken to determine and compare the F-actin staining patterns in the cells of the lamina cribrosa (LC) of normal, dexamethasone (DEX)-treated and glaucomatous dissected tissue and cell cultures. Methods: About 30 dissected donor eyes and nine cell lines provided the human specimens; 25 eyes and 20 primary cell cultures provided the bovine material. Appropriate samples were exposed to 1×10-7 M DEX for up to 14 days. LC tissue and cells were stained with Phalloidin-Alexa 488 to identify F-actin, and all samples were examined by confocal or epifluorescent microscopy. Results: Both in the LC tissue and LC cell cultures the dominant actin arrangement was bundles of stress fibres. However, cross-linked actin networks (CLANs) were identified in the tissue and in culture. These were markedly increased by steroid treatment and were particularly large and abundant in cultures from glaucoma donors. CLANs were not associated with optic nerve head astrocytes. Conclusions: The presence of abundant stress fibres in situ and in vitro highlights the biomechanical contribution of LC cells. However, the identification of CLANs in these cells shows that they are not exclusive to the trabecular meshwork, the only other place they have been found, and may have a role in glaucoma pathology.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1388-1392
Number of pages5
JournalBritish Journal of Ophthalmology
Volume94
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2010

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