Sulfated proteoglycans in the lamina cribrosa of normal monkey eyes and monkey eyes with laser-induced glaucoma.

The distribution of the sulfated proteoglycans in the lamina cribrosa of normal monkey eyes and monkey eyes with laser-induced glaucoma were analysed by electron microscopy after cuprolinic blue dye binding. Three types of cuprolinic blue-positive filaments, CB-1, CB-2 and CB-3, were identified in the laminar beams of normal monkey eyes. CB-1 and CB-2 were both small filaments representing chondroitin and dermatan sulfate proteoglycan copolymers. The former lined up perpendicularly to the long axis of collagen fibrils, whereas the latter ran axially parallel to collagen fibrils. The large CB-3 filaments, representing chondrotin sulfate proteoglycans, were located around collagen bundles or in loose spaces within the beams. In addition, small CB-4 filaments or punctate structures representing heparan sulfate proteoglycans were found aligned on the basal laminae of blood vessels and glial cells. In the glaucomatous eyes, accumulation and enlargement of collagen-associated proteoglycan filaments were seen, accompanied by the destruction of collagenous beams. Accumulation of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans was most evident. Prominent filamentous heparan sulfate/heparin proteoglycans were also noted in thickened astrocytic and vascular basal laminae. These may be alterations secondary to the destruction of collagen bundles. They may also represent cellular responses related to intraocular pressure elevation.