A unique pre-endothelial layer at the posterior peripheral cornea: ultrastructural study.
Saeed Akhtar1,2, Ramachandran Samivel3, Adrian Smedowski4
1Cornea Research Chair, Department of Optics and Vision Science, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, P.O. Box 10219, Riyadh, 11433, Saudi Arabia. beharipur@gmail.com.
Scientific Reports
|February 16, 2022
Summary
Researchers discovered unique pre-endothelial (PENL) structures in the human cornea periphery. These acellular PENL structures contain novel fibrillar components not found in the corneal stroma or typical elastic fibers.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Cell Biology
- Corneal Ultrastructure
Background:
- The corneal periphery harbors unique anatomical features.
- Understanding the ultrastructure of the cornea is crucial for diagnosing and treating ocular diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the ultrastructure of unique pre-endothelial (PENL) structures at the anterior endothelium of the posterior peripheral cornea.
- To compare the inner fibers of these PENL structures with those of the limbus and sclera.
Main Methods:
- Human corneoscleral rims were processed for electron microscopy.
- Semi-thin and ultrathin sections were examined using light and transmission electron microscopy.
- Microscopic analysis focused on identifying and characterizing PENL structures and their fibrillar components.
Main Results:
- Unique PENL structures were identified in the posterior peripheral cornea, extending from Descemet's membrane.
- These PENL structures contain an electron-dense sheath with periodic and wide-spacing fibers, and microfibrils.
- Typical elastic fibers were observed in the sclera and limbus but were absent in the PENL structures.
Conclusions:
- A novel acellular structure, termed PENL, exists at the corneal periphery.
- PENL contains unique fibrillar structures distinct from those in the corneal stroma and typical elastic fibers.
- PENL represents a distinct morphological entity within the corneal periphery.
