AIMS: The age-related changes in the biochemical composition of the collagenous matrix of the human lamina cribrosa were investigated. METHODS: An age range (3 weeks to 92 years old) of human laminae cribrosae, dissected free of any surrounding structures which contained collagen, were analysed for collagen solubility (n = 58) total collagen content (n = 46), proportion of collagen types (n = 38), and collagen cross linking (n = 30), using hydroxyproline analysis, scanning densitometry of peptides after cyanogen bromide digestion, and high performance liquid chromatography, respectively. RESULTS: Age-related changes included an increase in total collagen and a decrease in the proportion of type III collagen within the lamina cribrosa. The collagen cross link pyridinoline was present at low levels, but demonstrated no trend with age. An age-related increase was found in pentosidine, an advanced glycation product. CONCLUSION: These changes in collagen composition imply that the mechanical properties of the lamina cribrosa are altered, resulting in a stiffer, less resilient structure with age. Such alterations in structure may contribute to the increased susceptibility of the elderly to axonal damage in chronic open angle glaucoma.
AIMS: The age-related changes in the biochemical composition of the collagenous matrix of the human lamina cribrosa were investigated. METHODS: An age range (3 weeks to 92 years old) of human laminae cribrosae, dissected free of any surrounding structures which contained collagen, were analysed for collagen solubility (n = 58) total collagen content (n = 46), proportion of collagen types (n = 38), and collagen cross linking (n = 30), using hydroxyproline analysis, scanning densitometry of peptides after cyanogen bromide digestion, and high performance liquid chromatography, respectively. RESULTS: Age-related changes included an increase in total collagen and a decrease in the proportion of type III collagen within the lamina cribrosa. The collagen cross link pyridinoline was present at low levels, but demonstrated no trend with age. An age-related increase was found in pentosidine, an advanced glycation product. CONCLUSION: These changes in collagen composition imply that the mechanical properties of the lamina cribrosa are altered, resulting in a stiffer, less resilient structure with age. Such alterations in structure may contribute to the increased susceptibility of the elderly to axonal damage in chronic open angle glaucoma.
Authors: Ning-Jiun Jan; Jonathan L Grimm; Huong Tran; Kira L Lathrop; Gadi Wollstein; Richard A Bilonick; Hiroshi Ishikawa; Larry Kagemann; Joel S Schuman; Ian A Sigal Journal: Biomed Opt Express Date: 2015-11-05 Impact factor: 3.732
Authors: Yik Tung Tracy Ling; Ran Shi; Dan E Midgett; Joan L Jefferys; Harry A Quigley; Thao D Nguyen Journal: Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci Date: 2019-06-03 Impact factor: 4.799
Authors: Michaël J A Girard; J-K Francis Suh; Michael Bottlang; Claude F Burgoyne; J Crawford Downs Journal: Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci Date: 2009-06-03 Impact factor: 4.799