Nanostructural Effects of Mitomycin C Applications on Scleral Collagen Fibrils: Atomic Force Microscopy Observation

摘要

This study was to investigate the effects of Mitomycin C (MMC) on the scleral collagen surfaces by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Two non-contact mode AFM machines were used to observe changes in the morphological characteristics of human scleral surfaces before and after 0.02% MMC application for 1, 3 and 5 minutes. From AFM topography and deflection images of the collagen fibril, the morphological characteristics of scleral fibrils including the fibril diameter and D-banding were measured using line profile. The sclera collagen fibril treated with 0.02% MMC for 1 min showed no significant increase in mean fibril diameter (155.04 ± 17.46 nm) and the mean D-periodicity (70.02 ± 3.33 nm), compared to the control group. However, the scleral collagen fibrils treated with 0.02% MMC for 3 and 5 min showed a significant increase in mean fibril diameter (182.33 ± 16.33 nm and 199.20 ± 12.40 nm) and mean D-periodicity (70.27± 13.66 nm and 72.75 ± 19.32 nm), compared to the control group. This study examined the structural changes in the scleral collagen fibrils before and after MMC application by AFM technique. The results indirectly suggest that long-term MMC application might increase the incidence of complications like a scleromalcia.