title: Muscarinic acetylcholine receptor subtypes in human corneal epithelium and endothelium.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors are located throughout the body. The demonstration of muscarinic receptors in corneal tissue has been inconsistent. Using freshly fixed human corneal tissue, we show a complete profile of muscarinic receptor subtypes in human corneal epithelium and endothelium.
  
  
  METHODS
  Muscarinic receptor sites were studied using immunocytochemistry, immunofluorescence and immunoblotting.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Antibodies to M2, M4 and M5 muscarinic receptor subtypes bound in human corneal epithelium and endothelium. No binding was found for antibodies to M1 and M3 muscarinic receptor subtypes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our studies indicate the presence of M2, M4 and M5 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor subtypes in human corneal epithelium and endothelium. These receptors may play a role in the regulation of corneal homeostasis, other functions, like wound healing, or the pathogenesis of corneal diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Tuebingen, Schleichstr 12, D-72076, Tuebingen, Germany. matthias.grueb@med.uni-tuebingen.de
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Grueb
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Reinthal
authors.forename: Jens Martin
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Rohrbach
authors.forename: Karl Ulrich
authors.initials: KU
authors.lastname: Bartz-Schmidt
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015153:Blotting, Western; D004728:Endothelium, Corneal / Q000378:metabolism*; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D043585:Receptor, Muscarinic M2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D043588:Receptor, Muscarinic M4 / Q000378:metabolism*; D043642:Receptor, Muscarinic M5 / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D043585:Receptor, Muscarinic M2; D043588:Receptor, Muscarinic M4; D043642:Receptor, Muscarinic M5