Collagenase in human cornea: immunologic localization
J. M. Gordon, E. A. Bauer and A. Z. Eisen
Collagenase has been localized in human corneas using immunocytochemical
techniques employing a specific antiserum to human skin collagenase. The
enzyme was found in vivo in ulcerating corneas, whereas in corneas obtained
from a variety of nonulcerative conditions, no immunologic evidence of the
enzyme was seen. Corneal collagenase was present only in the stromal
portion of the cornea, suggesting that cells from this tissue are the
source of the enzyme. The localization of collagenase to the corneal stroma
was reproduced by placing either ulcerating or nonulcerating corneas in
tissue culture, indicating that the organ culture system may represent a
model that duplicates some conditions present in corneal disease.
