Canine normal corneal epithelium bears a large population of CD45-positive cells.
This investigation sought to identify the presence of immune cells in normal canine corneal epithelium. A whole-mount immunofluorescence study of normal canine epithelium using monoclonal antibodies against CD45, CD11c, CD1c and MHC class II was performed. CD45-positive cells were located in all epithelial layers throughout the cornea, occurring in greater numbers (51.98+/-4.1/mm(2)) at the periphery and decreasing towards the central region (11.8+/-3.1/mm(2)). CD11c-positive cells were also observed, but were fewer in number. The findings show that the normal canine cornea carries a significant number of cells of immune origin; these cells seem to be of an inactive phenotype as they do not express MHC class II. Further studies are needed to determine whether these cells can express co-stimulatory molecules and act as antigen presenting cells if stimulated.
Carvalho
Andrea R R
AR
Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Vallès), Barcelona, Spain. Andrea.Carvalho@uab.es
Naranjo
Carolina
C
Leiva
Marta
M
Fondevila
Dolors
D
Iborra
Antoni
A
Martinez
Paz
P
Peña
Teresa
T
D000818:Animals; D003315:Cornea / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D004285:Dogs; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000166:cytology*; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect / Q000662:veterinary; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000378:metabolism; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens / Q000378:metabolism*; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000166:cytology; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal / Q000662:veterinary
D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens