Secreted glycoprotein myocilin is a component of the myelin sheath in peripheral nerves.

The structure of the myelin sheath in peripheral nerves requires the expression of a specific set of proteins. In the present study, we report that myocilin, a member of the olfactomedin protein family, is a component of the myelin sheath in peripheral nerves. Myocilin is a secreted glycoprotein that forms multimers and contains a leucine zipper and an olfactomedin domain.

Transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) in circumscribed choroidal hemangioma.

Background: Choroidal hemangioma presents a therapeutic dilemma. Although it is a benign tumor, it may lead to massive exudation of subretinal fluid and a loss of visual function. Argon laser photo-coagulation in a grid pattern may be followed by initial absorption of subretinal fluid, but recurrence is common.

Characterization of nitrergic neurons in the porcine and human ciliary nerves.

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).