ABSTRACT
Typical blood capillaries and vessels in uveal melanoma were shown and different types of uveal melanoma stromal cells were determined by electron microscopy and immunohistochemical analysis. Macrophages, fibroblasts of varying degrees of differentiation and endothelial-like cells with numerous caveolae in the cytoplasm were found in the channels of the extracellular matrix surrounding accumulations of tumor cells. The presence local structures positively stained for markers of the blood and lymphatic vessels (CD31 and podoplanin) in channels of the extracellular matrix suggests that the described endothelial-like cells can be the structural basis for blood and lymphatic vessels of the tumor.
Subject(s)
Endothelial Cells/cytology , Extracellular Matrix/metabolism , Fibroblasts/cytology , Macrophages/cytology , Melanoma/ultrastructure , Stromal Cells/ultrastructure , Uveal Neoplasms/ultrastructure , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Biomarkers, Tumor , Cell Differentiation/physiology , Female , Humans , Immunohistochemistry , Lymphatic Vessels/cytology , Melanoma/pathology , Microscopy, Electron , Middle Aged , Uvea/blood supply , Uvea/cytology , Uvea/pathology , Uveal Neoplasms/pathologyABSTRACT
Existence of lymphatic outflow of intraocular fluid is still an open question. Identification of the lymphatic capillaries and vessels in various human organs in normal and pathological conditions became possible with discovery of endotheliocyte markers for lymphatic vessels. However, the available information on the presence of lymphatic structures in the human eye is inconsistent and uncertain. The data on lymphatic drainage of the eye is of interest, particularly because it may help understand glaucoma pathogenesis, mechanisms of development of eye inflammatory diseases, and develop pathogenetic therapies. The article reviews literature and presents the authors' own views on lymphatic drainage of the human eye.