COLLAGENS IN THE AGED HUMAN MACULAR SCLERA

Scleral tissue from the region of the human macula was studied by the immunogold labeling technique (cryoultramicrotomy and LR white resin embedding) in an attempt to identify the fine structural distribution of collagen types I-VI. Labeling of the striated collagen fibrils suggested colocalisation of collagen types I, III and V with type V occurring at the fibril surface. Both types V and VI collagen were localised to filamentous strands in the interfibrillar matrix. Collagen types II and IV were absent from the scleral stroma.