Biomaterial Database

Clinical, electron microscopic, and immunohistochemical study of the corneal endothelium and Descemet's membrane in the iridocorneal endothelial syndrome. 1986

M M Rodrigues, and R D Stulting, and G O Waring

Two women with the iridocorneal endothelial syndrome had unilateral corneal edema, iris stromal atrophy, and glaucoma. Each underwent penetrating keratoplasty. Transmission electron microscopy of the corneal buttons disclosed a thin, normally structured Descemet's membrane bounded posteriorly by a posterior collagenous layer that contained banded and fibrillar tissue, indicating that the disorder was acquired after childhood. Scanning electron microscopy showed some degenerated corneal endothelial cells with filopodial cytoplasmic projections, suggesting endothelial migration. Transmission electron microscopy of the endothelium showed no signs of epithelial-like alteration, such as stratification, desmosomal junctions, or increased cytoplasmic fibrils. Immunohistochemical staining of fresh-frozen sections with monoclonal antibodies to keratin showed normal staining of the epithelium and no staining of the endothelium. Occasional lymphocytes were seen within the endothelium in one case but were also observed in one case of an inherited corneal disease, posterior polymorphous dystrophy, suggesting that they might be normal "passenger" cells migrating in the endothelial monolayer.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007120	Immunochemistry	Field of chemistry that pertains to immunological phenomena and the study of chemical reactions related to antigen stimulation of tissues. It includes physicochemical interactions between antigens and antibodies.
D007499	Iris Diseases	Diseases, dysfunctions, or disorders of or located in the iris.	Disease, Iris,Diseases, Iris,Iris Disease
D007633	Keratins	A class of fibrous proteins or scleroproteins that represents the principal constituent of EPIDERMIS; HAIR; NAILS; horny tissues, and the organic matrix of tooth ENAMEL. Two major conformational groups have been characterized, alpha-keratin, whose peptide backbone forms a coiled-coil alpha helical structure consisting of TYPE I KERATIN and a TYPE II KERATIN, and beta-keratin, whose backbone forms a zigzag or pleated sheet structure. alpha-Keratins have been classified into at least 20 subtypes. In addition multiple isoforms of subtypes have been found which may be due to GENE DUPLICATION.	Cytokeratin,Keratin Associated Protein,Keratin,Keratin-Associated Proteins,alpha-Keratin,Associated Protein, Keratin,Keratin Associated Proteins,Protein, Keratin Associated,alpha Keratin
D008854	Microscopy, Electron	Microscopy using an electron beam, instead of light, to visualize the sample, thereby allowing much greater magnification. The interactions of ELECTRONS with specimens are used to provide information about the fine structure of that specimen. In TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY the reactions of the electrons that are transmitted through the specimen are imaged. In SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY an electron beam falls at a non-normal angle on the specimen and the image is derived from the reactions occurring above the plane of the specimen.	Electron Microscopy
D003315	Cornea	The transparent anterior portion of the fibrous coat of the eye consisting of five layers: stratified squamous CORNEAL EPITHELIUM; BOWMAN MEMBRANE; CORNEAL STROMA; DESCEMET MEMBRANE; and mesenchymal CORNEAL ENDOTHELIUM. It serves as the first refracting medium of the eye. It is structurally continuous with the SCLERA, avascular, receiving its nourishment by permeation through spaces between the lamellae, and is innervated by the ophthalmic division of the TRIGEMINAL NERVE via the ciliary nerves and those of the surrounding conjunctiva which together form plexuses. (Cline et al., Dictionary of Visual Science, 4th ed)	Corneas
D003316	Corneal Diseases	Diseases of the cornea.	Corneal Disease,Disease, Corneal,Diseases, Corneal
D003886	Descemet Membrane	A layer of the cornea. It is the basal lamina of the CORNEAL ENDOTHELIUM (from which it is secreted) separating it from the CORNEAL STROMA. It is a homogeneous structure composed of fine collagenous filaments, and slowly increases in thickness with age.	Lamina Elastica Posterior,Descemet's Membrane,Descemet Membranes,Descemets Membrane,Elastica Posterior, Lamina,Elastica Posteriors, Lamina,Lamina Elastica Posteriors,Membrane, Descemet,Membrane, Descemet's,Membranes, Descemet,Posterior, Lamina Elastica,Posteriors, Lamina Elastica
D004727	Endothelium	A layer of epithelium that lines the heart, blood vessels (ENDOTHELIUM, VASCULAR), lymph vessels (ENDOTHELIUM, LYMPHATIC), and the serous cavities of the body.	Endotheliums
D005260	Female		Females
D006651	Histocytochemistry	Study of intracellular distribution of chemicals, reaction sites, enzymes, etc., by means of staining reactions, radioactive isotope uptake, selective metal distribution in electron microscopy, or other methods.	Cytochemistry