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Impressum
MT¹ melatonin receptors in the human eye - an immunhistochemical study
1Pache M., 1Meyer P., 2Kräuchi K., 1Flammer J., 2Müller-Spahn F., 2Savaskan E.
1University Eye Clinic Basel, 2Psychiatric University Clinic Basel, Switzerland
Objective: Melatonin is a hormone secreted by the pineal gland
and the retina with high levels at night. It is functionally active in
the visual and the cardiovascular system and influences the circadian
rhythm. Recently it has been demonstrated that melatonin leads to vasoconstriction
of rat cerebral arterioles and porcine coronary arteries via activation
of melatonin-1 (MT¹) receptors. This study was undertaken to
examine the possible presence and distribution of MT¹ receptors
in the human eye.
Methods: Six whole human eyes were examined by immunohistochemical
staining of paraffin sections, using an anti-MT¹ primary antibody
(provided by L. Brydon, R. Jockers, Institut Cochin de Genètique
Moléculaire, Laboratoire d'Immuno-Pharmakologie Moléculaire,
Paris, France) and an ABC-detection system.
Results: MT¹ receptor -immunoreactivity (MT¹-IR)
was detected primarily in the adventitia of the retinal arteries and veins
including the papillary region, but not in ciliary and choroidal vessels.
In addition, MT¹-IR was present in the inner segments of rods
and cones and some ganglion cells.
Conclusion: MT¹-IR is present in the adventitia of human
retinal vessels but not in choroidal and ciliary vessels. The physiological
function of these receptors in retinal vessels is as yet unknown.