Remodelling of the lamina cribrosa of the sclera in optic nerve axonal injury

Huseva Yu.A.; Pazniak M.I.

doi:https://doi.org/10.17116/oftalma202614201160

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PURPOSE

This study aimed to investigate the morphological features of the lamina cribrosa (LC) of the scleral in terms of their potential role in optic nerve (ON) axonal injury.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Longitudinal sections of the prelaminar, laminar, and postlaminar portions of the ON from human corneal donors were examined. Sections were stained with Masson’s trichrome and analyzed using the Bioscan AT+ software. Neurofilament (NF) expression was assessed immunohistochemically using the Neurofilament NE-14 antibody and quantified with ImageJ 1.54i. Statistical analysis included Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients, as well as the Kruskal—Wallis, Mann—Whitney, and Kendall’s tau tests.

RESULTS

The ratio of connective tissue to neural components in the LC varied and correlated with age (χ²=21.09, p=0.0018). Based on these differences, three LC patterns were identified: mixed, elastic, and collagenous. The mixed LC pattern was most prevalent across all age groups; the elastic pattern predominated in younger individuals (<44 years); the collagenous pattern was most common in individuals older than 60 years. NF expression was lowest in the mixed type LC, increased significantly in the elastic type LC, and was highest in the >60-year age group with the collagenous type LC.

CONCLUSION

Remodelling of the LC of the sclera characterized by a predominance of collagenous tissue, primarily perivascularly, and accompanied by deformation of the anterior LC surface in individuals older than 60 years, together with a tendency toward increased deviation of ON axons passing through the LC, should be considered potential risk factors for ON axonal injury. The observed variability in the NF cytoskeleton, which preceded changes in axonal transport, may be used as an early marker of retinal ganglion cell damage.

Keywords:

lamina cribrosa

optic nerve axons

neurofilaments

connective tissue remodelling

axoplasmic flow

glaucoma

aging

Authors:

Huseva Yu.A.

Eye Microsurgery Centre VOKA, Minsk, Belarus;
Belarusian State Medical University, Minsk, Belarus

Pazniak M.I.

Eye Microsurgery Centre VOKA, Minsk, Belarus

Received:

04.06.2025

Accepted:

11.11.2025

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References:

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