A comparative immunohistochemical study of human corneotrabecular tissue.
Using in situ immunohistochemical techniques and a broad panel of antibodies directed against intermediate filament proteins, vascular endothelial markers, neuroectodermal/neuroendocrine markers, and monoclonal antibodies raised against human corneal endothelial cells (HCECs), a comparative phenotypical analysis was performed on HCECs, keratocytes, trabecular cells, and cells lining the canal of Schlemm. The coexpression of cytokeratins and neurofilaments by HCECs argues in favor of a neuroectodermal origin, which is further supported by the fact that they stain positive for neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and that they express neural cell adhesion molecules (N-CAM) at their surface. The expression of NSE and N-CAM also applies to the trabecular cells. The cells lining the canal of Schlemm were found to share many immunophenotypical features with vascular endothelial cells (i.e., factor-VIII-related antigen and BMA-120), rather than with HCECs. This was further supported by the reactivity of two monoclonal antibodies (i.e., 9.3 E and 5.52 H) that were raised against HCECs, and which labelled vascular endothelium and cells lining Schlemm's canal.
Foets
B
B
Department of Ophthalmology, UZ Sint-Rafaël, Leuven, Belgium.
van den Oord
J
J
Engelmann
K
K
Missotten
L
L
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001779:Blood Coagulation Factors / Q000032:analysis*; D004728:Endothelium, Corneal / Q000737:chemistry*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D010641:Phenotype; D014129:Trabecular Meshwork / Q000737:chemistry*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001779:Blood Coagulation Factors; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins