En-face analysis of the human limbal lymphatic vasculature

Palme, Christoph, Ahmad, Sajjad, Romano, Vito ORCID: 0000-0002-5148-7643, Seifarth, Christof, Williams, Bryan ORCID: 0000-0001-5930-287X, Parekh, Mohit, Kaye, Stephen B ORCID: 0000-0003-0390-0592 and Steger, Bernhard (2020) En-face analysis of the human limbal lymphatic vasculature. EXPERIMENTAL EYE RESEARCH, 201. 108278-.

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.exer.2020.108278

Abstract

<h4>Purpose</h4>To describe the location and morphometric characteristics of the human limbal lymphatic vasculature and its relation to the marginal corneal vascular arcades (MCA).<h4>Methods</h4>Ex vivo confocal microscopic (CM) imaging and immunofluorescence double staining for CD-31 and D2-40 of histological en-face sections using 12 preserved human cadaveric corneoscleral discs were performed, followed by a semi-automated morphometric analysis of the two-dimensional vascular network architecture.<h4>Results</h4>Ex vivo CM confirmed the presence of 2 distinct vascular networks. The haematic limbal vascular complex (HLVC) extended further into the cornea, forming typical MCAs. The lymphatic limbal vascular complex (LLVC) was peripheral from the termination of Bowman's layer and was also found to be peripheral to and deeper than the HLVC. LLVC and HLVC were significantly different with respect to vessel diameter, segment length and wall thickness.<h4>Conclusion</h4>The lymphatic vasculature of the human corneoscleral limbal region displays specific morphometric features that allow its differentiation from haematic vessels using CM.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Confocal microscopy, Corneoscleral limbus, Lymphatic vessels, Immunofluorescence
Divisions:	Faculty of Health and Life Sciences Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Clinical Directorate Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Life Courses and Medical Sciences
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	29 Jun 2021 15:12
Last Modified:	18 Jan 2023 21:37
DOI:	10.1016/j.exer.2020.108278
Open Access URL:	https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/...
Related URLs:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3128149