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Developmental changes in the blood-ocular barriers in chicken embryos
Experimental Eye Research
|October 1, 1984
Summary
The developing chicken eye becomes impermeable to proteins by E19. Leakage from uveal tract vessels initially allows proteins into ocular chambers, but developing meninges and lamina cribosa structures later restrict this influx.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Developmental Biology
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- The developing eye's vascular system undergoes significant changes.
- Understanding ocular vascular permeability is crucial for development and disease.
- Previous studies have not fully characterized the ontogeny of ocular barrier formation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the developmental changes in ocular vascular permeability in chicken embryos.
- To identify the specific ocular structures and time points associated with barrier formation.
Main Methods:
- Intravascular injection of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) in chicken embryos (E9-P1).
- Light and electron microscopy to detect HRP-RP accumulation.
- Examination of HRP distribution in anterior and posterior segments, optic nerve, and associated structures.
Main Results:
- Focal HRP accumulation occurred in the anterior chamber angle up to E15, diffusing into chambers by 5 min.
- No leakage was observed in embryos E19 and older.
- Optic nerve permeability was initially high but reduced by meningeal development after E12.
- Choroidal vessels remained leaky, while iris, optic nerve, and pecten vessels were impermeable.
Conclusions:
- Vascular proteins access intraocular chambers before E19 via uveal tract vessels near the anterior chamber angle.
- Optic nerve permeability is regulated by meningeal development and lamina cribosa.
- Developing ocular blood vessels exhibit permeability characteristics similar to mature vessels.