Gap junctional communication in the human corneal endothelium and epithelium.
OBJECTIVE
Gap junctional communication in the epithelium and endothelium of human corneas was studied. The influence of corneal storage on endothelial gap junctions was also examined.


METHODS
Donor human corneal cells were injected with carboxyfluorescein while surrounding cells were monitored for traces of fluorescence. Dye-spread coefficients were measured in corneal endothelial cells. Western blot and immunohistochemical analysis of the endothelium and epithelium was employed to determine if connexin 43 was present.


RESULTS
Dye coupling occurs in both the epithelium and endothelium of the human cornea. Epithelial dye coupling was extensive in the basal layers but less apparent in the superficial layers. Endothelial dye coupling was similar to that reported for rabbit corneas. Western blot and immunohistochemical analyses demonstrated the presence of connexin 43 in both cell types.


CONCLUSIONS
Gap junctional communication occurs in the endothelium and epithelium of human corneas, and both cell types express connexin 43. These results are similar to previous rabbit studies, thereby strengthening the use of the rabbit cornea as a gap junction model.
Williams
Keven
K
Department of Physiology, University of Tennessee, Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA.
Watsky
Mitchell
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000502:physiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018031:Connexin 43 / Q000378:metabolism; D004728:Endothelium, Corneal / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D005452:Fluoresceins / Q000378:metabolism; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D017629:Gap Junctions / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged
D018031:Connexin 43; D005452:Fluoresceins; C024098:6-carboxyfluorescein