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Characterization of Nitrergic Neurons in the Porcine and Human Ciliary Nerves

From the Department of Anatomy II, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.

PURPOSE. To further characterize a subpopulation of choroidal ganglion cells associated with the ciliary nerves.

METHODS. Isolated long ciliary nerves of porcine and human eyes containing ciliary nerve–associated ganglion cells (CNGCs) were embedded in Epon for ultrastructural investigation, or wholemounts were stained with antibodies against nitric oxide synthase (NOS), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), vesicular acetylcholine transporter, neuropeptide Y (NPY), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), substance P (SP), and synaptophysin. In addition, wholemount preparations of the choroid and of the anterior segment were stained for reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-diaphorase (NADPH-D). Serial sections through choroid and anterior segment were stained with the prior antibodies listed.

RESULTS. In the porcine choroid only CNGCs were present. They stained for brain (b)NOS and VIP and were surrounded by SP and VIP-immunoreactive (IR) nerve terminals. The axonal processes of the CNGCs followed the ciliary nerves to the anterior eye segment, where they formed a nerve fiber plexus that terminated in the trabecular meshwork. None of the axons passed into the sparse NOS-IR nerve fiber plexus surrounding the choroidal vasculature. The CNGCs in the human choroid morphologically resembled those seen in the pig.

CONCLUSIONS. The CNGC proportion of choroidal ganglion cells is presumably involved in the intrinsic (peripheral) innervation of the aqueous outflow tissues and of the choroid.

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