[Lectin electron microscopic histochemistry of exfoliative material from capsular glaucoma]

Exfoliative material of capsular glaucoma was studied by electron microscopic lectin histochemistry using sixteen kinds of lectin; PNA, RCA60 and 120, ABA, DBA, SBA, ConA, LCA, WGA, DSA, PHA-E4 and L4, UEA-I, Lotus, MAM, and SSA. The results indicated that sugar residues in exfoliative material on the lens and trabecular meshwork have the same characteristics, i.e., they contain glycoconjugates with sugar residues of beta-galactosyl, alpha-mannosyl, N-acetyl-D-glucosaminyl, and terminal sialic acid. The lectin staining pattern of microfibrils in exfoliative material, radially oriented fibrils and linear densities in the lens capsule, and zonular lamella was also similar to that of exfoliative material, and suggested their close association with exfoliative material. These results also indicated that lectin can be employed in the detection and identification of exfoliative material in various tissues.