Quantitative study of the microvasculature and its endothelial cells in the porcine iris

Yang, Hongfang; Yu, Paula K.; Cringle, Stephen J.; Sun, Xinghuai; Yu, Dao‐Yi

doi:10.1016/j.exer.2015.02.006

Cited by 11 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 58 publications

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“…The diameter of vessels varied significantly between consecutive vessel orders, in agreement with our previous report (Yang et al, 2015). Overall, the arteriole diameters were significantly smaller than that obtained from the previous study where the silver nitrate method was used.…”

Section: Endothelial Morphometricssupporting

confidence: 90%

“…Recently we have reported the distribution of porcine iris microvasculature and its endothelial cells using intra-luminal micro-perfusion, fixation, and silver staining (Yang et al, 2015). Our results showed that the iris has an unusual vascular distribution which consisted of abundant large vessels in the middle of the iris stroma, branching over a relatively short distance to relatively large capillaries.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 73%

“…The dissection, cannulation and arterial perfusion in isolated eyes are fully described in our previous publications (Townsend et al, 2006;Yang et al, 2015;Yu et al, 2003). Similar techniques were used in the present study and will be briefly described.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…As revealed in our previous paper using silver nitrate perfusion staining (Yang et al, 2015), there are three layers of vasculature in porcine iris: superficial concentrically aligned capillary meshwork, deep microvascular plexus running radially, and relatively big and tortuous vessels sandwiched in the middle. However, information regarding intracellular structure (f-actin) and cellular junctions of endothelial cells were of greater interest in the present study.…”

Section: Generalmentioning

confidence: 93%

“…The ratio of e to ECL was considered as normalized nuclei position regardless of endothelial cellular size. Numbers of vessels and endothelial cells measured were dependent on the order of vessels according to our previous paper (Yang et al, 2015). Briefly, for vessel diameter measuring, 2 (major arterial circle (MAC)) to 15 (pre-capillary arteries) arteries, 20 capillaries, and 5 (the biggest veins) to 15 (post-capillary veins) veins of each order were measured in each eye.…”

Section: Image Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

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Intracellular cytoskeleton and junction proteins of endothelial cells in the porcine iris microvasculature

Yang

Cringle

et al. 2015

Experimental Eye Research

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Recently we reported studies of the iris microvasculature and its endothelial cells using intra-luminal micro-perfusion, fixation, and silver staining, suggesting that the iris vascular endothelium may be crucial for maintaining homeostasis in the ocular anterior segment. Here we present information regarding the intracellular structure and cell junctions of the iris endothelium. Thirty-seven porcine eyes were used for this study. The temporal long posterior ciliary artery was cannulated to assess the iris microvascular network and its endothelium using intra-luminal micro-perfusion, fixation, and staining with phalloidin for intracellular cytoskeleton f-actin, and with antibodies against claudin-5 and VE-cadherin for junction proteins. Nuclei were counterstained with Hoechst. The iris was flat-mounted for confocal imaging. The iris microvasculature was studied for its distribution, branch orders and endothelial morphometrics with endothelial cell length measured for each vessel order. Our results showed that morphometrics of the iris microvasculature was comparable with our previous silver staining. Abundant stress fibres and peripheral border staining were seen within the endothelial cells in larger arteries. An obvious decrease in cytoplasmic stress fibres was evident further downstream in the smaller arterioles, and they tended to be absent from capillaries and veins. Endothelial intercellular junctions throughout the iris vasculature were VE-cadherin and claudin-5 immuno-positive, indicating the presence of both adherent junctions and tight junctions between vascular endothelial cells throughout the iris microvasculature. Unevenness of claudin-5 staining was noted along the endothelial cell borders in almost every order of vessels, especially in veins and small arterioles. Our results suggest that significant heterogeneity of intracellular structure and junction proteins is present in different orders of the iris vasculature in addition to vascular diameter and shape of the endothelia. Detailed information of the topography and intracellular structure and junction proteins of the endothelium of the iris microvasculature combined with unique structural features of the iris may help us to further understand the physiological and pathogenic roles of the iris vasculature in relevant ocular diseases.

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Section: Endothelial Morphometricssupporting

confidence: 90%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 73%