Immunohistochemical staining of the human anterior segment. Evidence that resident cells play a role in immunologic responses
M. Latina, T. Flotte, E. Crean, M. E. Sherwood and R. D. Granstein
Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Howe Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston.
We examined human corneoscleral tissue for cells that are phenotypically
similar to known antigen-presenting cell (APC) populations.
Antigen-presenting cells are involved in the uptake and processing of
antigen for presentation to T lymphocytes, thereby playing a central role
in induction of the immune response. The recognition of antigen by T
lymphocytes requires that an APC express major histocompatibility complex
class II molecules. Using immunoperoxidase staining techniques, the
presence of cells expressing class II glycoproteins and T-cell subsets were
determined. The staining patterns of the trabecular meshwork, ciliary body,
cornea/sclera, and conjunctive are described for monoclonal antibodies
OKT6, OKM1, HLA-DR, and HLA-DQ, and T-cell markers OKT8, Leu-3a, and Leu-4.
The results of the present study demonstrate that the anterior chamber
contains a network of immunocompetent cells. The presence of a
subpopulation of cells within the anterior chamber that express class II
glycoproteins of the major histocompatibility complex suggests this tissue
may play an important role in immune regulation within the eye.
