Search and identification of thyroid hormones receptors in ocular tissues

Aim. To discover and identify thyroid receptors in ocular tissues by means of immunohistochemistry (IHC).

Materials and methods.The objects of morphological studies were eyes enucleated for terminal painful glaucoma (n = 30). Thyroid receptors searching was performed in the retina and optic nerve, choroidal and optic nerve vessels. IHC reaction was considered as follows: negative — specific cellular staining is absent or less than 10 % cells are stained; mild positive — 10‑30 % cells are stained (+); moderate positive — 30‑75 % cells are stained (++); highly positive — more than 75 % are stained (+++). 

Results: Intensive (4+) IHC staining was revealed in the nuclei of inner and outer nuclear and ganglion cell layers. Mild positive (+) staining was detected in the inner segments of photoreceptors. Granular (3+) IHC staining was revealed in the nuclei of optic nerve glia. In choroidea, endotheliocytes nuclei and 20 % stromal cells nuclei were stained. IHC
reaction was detected in the cytoplasm of retinal pigment epithelium.

Conclusion. The data obtained account for the mechanism of neurohumoral associations at the cellular level. According to these data, eye can be considered as a target for thyroid hormones. The causes of morphological and functional abnormalities of visual analyzer peripheral part in thyroid gland disorders are revealed as well.

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