Actin filaments in cells of human trabecular meshwork and Schlemm's canal. 1979

I K Gipson, and R A Anderson

With subfragment-one of myosin used as the histochemical marker, actin filament distribution was mapped in cells of the aqueous outflow pathway. In uveal, corneal-scleral and juxtacanalicular meshwork cells, bundles of actin filaments were present along the basal cytoplasm. Some of these bundles terminated at adhesion plaques. Juxtacanalicular meshwork cells contained, in addition to bundles, randomly oriented actin filaments at the end of cell extensions. Giant vacuoles in the inner wall of Schlemm's canal did not have actin filaments associated with their membranes; there were, however, intermediate filaments present along the membrane. Bundles of actin filaments were also found within the cells of both inner and external walls of Schlemm's canal. Cells of both the meshwork and inner wall of Schlemm's canal had actin filaments extending out into the cytoplasm from cell junctions. In all areas of the meshwork and especially in the area external to Schlemm's canal, cells were observed which had a cytoplasm, very rich in actin filaments. These cells had characteristics common to smooth muscle cells. The actin filaments of cells of the aqueous outflow pathway could have any or all of several functions. Bundles of filaments in the meshwork could contract to lift and separate trabecular sheets and/or, through their association with adhesion plaques, they could stabilize cells on their collagen substrate, thus acting as cytoskeletal struts. Randomly oriented actin filaments, noted particularly in cells of the juxtacanalicular meshwork, may play a role in phagocytosis. Actin filaments found in association with junctions may be important structures for maintaining cell-to-cell contacts. Lack of actin filaments around giant vacuoles in Schlemm's canal indicates that they do not play a role in shuttling aqueous across the endothelium of the canal. The significance of "actin-rich" cells in the meshwork and those external to Schlemm's canal is unknown.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008566 Membranes Thin layers of tissue which cover parts of the body, separate adjacent cavities, or connect adjacent structures. Membrane Tissue,Membrane,Membrane Tissues,Tissue, Membrane,Tissues, Membrane
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
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
D003599 Cytoskeleton The network of filaments, tubules, and interconnecting filamentous bridges which give shape, structure, and organization to the cytoplasm. Cytoplasmic Filaments,Cytoskeletal Filaments,Microtrabecular Lattice,Cytoplasmic Filament,Cytoskeletal Filament,Cytoskeletons,Filament, Cytoplasmic,Filament, Cytoskeletal,Filaments, Cytoplasmic,Filaments, Cytoskeletal,Lattice, Microtrabecular,Lattices, Microtrabecular,Microtrabecular Lattices
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000199 Actins Filamentous proteins that are the main constituent of the thin filaments of muscle fibers. The filaments (known also as filamentous or F-actin) can be dissociated into their globular subunits; each subunit is composed of a single polypeptide 375 amino acids long. This is known as globular or G-actin. In conjunction with MYOSINS, actin is responsible for the contraction and relaxation of muscle. F-Actin,G-Actin,Actin,Isoactin,N-Actin,alpha-Actin,alpha-Isoactin,beta-Actin,gamma-Actin,F Actin,G Actin,N Actin,alpha Actin,alpha Isoactin,beta Actin,gamma Actin
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D000368 Aged A person 65 years of age or older. For a person older than 79 years, AGED, 80 AND OVER is available. Elderly
D001082 Aqueous Humor The clear, watery fluid which fills the anterior and posterior chambers of the eye. It has a refractive index lower than the crystalline lens, which it surrounds, and is involved in the metabolism of the cornea and the crystalline lens. (Cline et al., Dictionary of Visual Science, 4th ed, p319) Aqueous Flare,Intraocular Fluid,Aqueous Flares,Aqueous Humors,Flare, Aqueous,Fluid, Intraocular,Fluids, Intraocular,Humor, Aqueous,Humors, Aqueous,Intraocular Fluids
D012590 Sclera The white, opaque, fibrous, outer tunic of the eyeball, covering it entirely excepting the segment covered anteriorly by the cornea. It is essentially avascular but contains apertures for vessels, lymphatics, and nerves. It receives the tendons of insertion of the extraocular muscles and at the corneoscleral junction contains the CANAL OF SCHLEMM. (From Cline et al., Dictionary of Visual Science, 4th ed) Scleral Spur,Scleral Spurs,Scleras

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