Immunohistochemical localization of tyrosine hydroxylase in corneal nerves

摘要: The sympathetic innervation of the mammalian cornea is thought to play an important role in regulation epithelial ion transport, mitogenesis, and wound healing following corneal injuries. Anatomically, three-dimensional organization relative density many species remains inadequately described. In present study, five different mammals (guinea pig, rat, mouse, hamster, human) was studied corneas sectioned parallel main axis fiber orientation by labeling fibers immunohistochemically with antiserum against tyrosine hydroxylase avidin-biotin-diaminobenzidine technique. results showed that each displayed a distinctive pattern immunoreactive (TH-IR) unique species. overall level TH-IR highest guinea moderate human, lowest mouse. all examined, nerves were most numerous corneoscleral limbus where they either formed intimate associations blood vessels or coursed through connective tissue matrix apparently unrelated vascular elements. Other entered proper radially directed stromal nerve bundles give rise subepithelial plexuses varying complexity. Occasional intraepithelial penetrations observed rat. Removal superior cervical ganglion resulted total loss staining from pig hamster substantial but incomplete rat mouse corneas, thus demonstrating their predominantly origin. Combined sensory ocular denervation eliminated almost limbal immunostaining, suggesting minor component this agreement conclusion, small numbers neurons abundance trigeminal ganglia pig. ciliary additional chamber angle iris, thereby confirming partial parasympathetic contribution iridial innervation. Following unilateral removal rats pigs, contralateral contained increased nerves, upregulation (TH) expression some axons. summary, these data have shown pronounced interspecies differences may reflect species-specific variation control over select aspects physiology. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.