Enrichment of Lymphatic Vessel Endothelial Hyaluronan Receptor 1 (LYVE1)-Positive Macrophages Around Blood Vessels in the Normal Human Sclera

Abstract

The adult sclera contains blood vessels but lacks, as revealed by immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy, true lymphatic vessels. LYVE1+ CD68+ macrophages are located adjacent to the longitudinal axis of blood vessels. The function of these cells needs further investigation, but could be a next step toward a better understanding of pathological disorders such as inflammation, tumor, trauma, or glaucoma.