Expression of a mucin-like glycoprotein produced by ocular surface epithelium in normal and keratinized cells.
OBJECTIVE
We previously characterized a monoclonal antibody (H185) to a mucin-like glycoprotein produced by human ocular surface epithelium. In the current study, we used H185 to investigate the pattern of the mucin-like glycoprotein in normal and keratinized apical cells of the ocular surface epithelium.


METHODS
We compared the cell characteristics and the pattern of H185 binding in cytologically and immunohistochemically stained samples of apical cells of conjunctival surface epithelium from 20 normal subjects and six patients before and after treatment for superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis.


RESULTS
In the superior bulbar conjunctiva of normal subjects, the intensity with which H185 antibody bound to apical surface epithelial cells varied, with areas of high-, medium-, and low-intensity binding occurring in a mosaic pattern. This mosaic pattern, and presumably expression of the mucin-like glycoprotein, was absent or remarkably reduced in keratinized cells obtained from patients with superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis before treatment. However, the pattern of H185 binding was normal in samples obtained 2 months after the start of treatment for superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis, and cells had recovered their normal small, round appearance.


CONCLUSIONS
When they are keratinized, apical cells of the ocular surface epithelium are altered in appearance and lack the normal mosaic pattern of expression of a mucin-like glycoprotein.
Watanabe
H
H
Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka University Medical School, Japan. watanabe@ophthal.med.osaka-u.ac.jp
Maeda
N
N
Kiritoshi
A
A
Hamano
T
T
Shimomura
Y
Y
Tano
Y
Y
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D003263:Contact Lenses, Hydrophilic; D004848:Epithelium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007637:Keratoconjunctivitis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D016850:Limbus Corneae / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009077:Mucins / Q000378:metabolism*; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D009077:Mucins; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D014801:Vitamin A