Details of the collagen and elastin architecture in the human limbal conjunctiva, tenon’s capsule and sclera revealed by two-photon excited fluorescence microscopy

Choul Yong Park, Catherine M. Marando, Jason A. Liao, Jimmy K. Lee, Jiwon Kwon, Roy S. Chuck

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

18 Scopus citations

Abstract

PURPOSE. To investigate the architecture and distribution of collagen and elastin in human limbal conjunctiva, Tenon’s capsule, and sclera. METHODS. The limbal conjunctiva, Tenon’s capsule, and sclera of human donor corneal buttons were imaged with an inverted two-photon excited fluorescence microscope. No fixation process was necessary. The laser (Ti: sapphire) was tuned at 850 nm for two-photon excitation. Backscatter signals of second harmonic generation (SHG) and autofluorescence (AF) were collected through a 425/30-nm and a 525/45-nm emission filter, respectively. Multiple, consecutive, and overlapping (z-stack) images were acquired. Collagen signals were collected with SHG, whereas elastin signals were collected with AF. RESULTS. The size and density of collagen bundles varied widely depending on depth: increasing from conjunctiva to sclera. In superficial image planes, collagen bundles were <10 µm in width, in a loose, disorganized arrangement. In deeper image planes (episclera and superficial sclera), collagen bundles were thicker (near 100 µm in width) and densely packed. Comparatively, elastin fibers were thinner and sparse. The orientation of elastin fibers was independent of collagen fibers in superficial layers; but in deep sclera, elastin fibers wove through collagen interbundle gaps. At the limbus, both collagen and elastin fibers were relatively compact and were distributed perpendicular to the limbal annulus. CONCLUSIONS. Two-photon excited fluorescence microscopy has enabled us to understand in greater detail the collagen and elastin architecture of the human limbal conjunctiva, Tenon’s capsule, and sclera.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)5602-5610
Number of pages9
JournalInvestigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science
Volume57
Issue number13
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2016

Keywords

  • Collagen
  • Conjunctiva
  • Elastin
  • Sclera
  • Tenon

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ophthalmology
  • Sensory Systems
  • Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

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