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. 1999 Feb;83(2):231–235. doi: 10.1136/bjo.83.2.231

Histochemical localisation of mitochondrial enzyme activity in human optic nerve and retina

R Andrews 1, P Griffiths 1, M Johnson 1, D Turnbull 1
PMCID: PMC1722931  PMID: 10396204

Abstract

AIMS—To demonstrate the quantitative distribution of mitochondrial enzymes within the human optic nerve and retina in relation to the pathogenesis of ophthalmic disease.
METHODS—Enucleations were performed at the time of multiple organ donation and the optic nerve and peripapillary retina immediately excised en bloc and frozen. Reactivities of the mitochondrial enzymes cytochrome c oxidase and succinate dehydrogenase were demonstrated in serial cryostat sections using specific histochemical assays.
RESULTS—In the optic nerve the unmyelinated prelaminar and laminar regions were rich in both cytochrome c oxidase and succinate dehydrogenase. Myelination of fibres as they exited the lamina cribrosa was associated with an abrupt reduction in enzyme activity. Within the retina, high levels of enzyme activity were found localised within the retinal ganglion cells and nerve fibre layer, the outer plexiform layer, inner segments of photoreceptors, and the retinal pigment epithelium.
CONCLUSIONS—Mitochondrial enzyme activity is preserved in human optic nerve and retina retrieved at the time of multiple organ donation. The distribution of enzyme activity within the eye has implications for the understanding of the pattern of ophthalmic involvement seen in mitochondrial diseases and the site of ganglion cell dysfunction in those patients with optic nerve involvement.

 Keywords: mitochondria; optic nerve; retina

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Figure 1  .

Figure 1  

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Photomicrographs of longitudinal sections through the optic nerve (A) stained with Sudan black to demonstate myelin and (B) reacted to demonstrate COX which is confined to the unmyelinated portion of retinal ganglion cell axons. Transverse sections of optic nerve (C) in immediate prelaminar zone showing high COX activity and (D) in the retrolaminar zone approximately 1.5 mm from section (C) showing low COX activity.

Figure 2  .

Figure 2  

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Photomicrographs of longitudinal sections of peripapillary retina (A) stained using haematoxylin and eosin, and (B)showing the distribution and intensity of COX activity in the different retinal layers. See text for abbreviations.

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