Alternate and classical pathway components of complement in the normal cornea
B. J. Mondino, H. V. Ratajczak, D. B. Goldberg, D. J. Schanzlin and S. I. Brown
Activation of complement by either the classical or alternate pathway may
be involved in corneal inflammation. This study was undertaken to determine
whether the normal human cornea contains components for both classical and
alternate pathway activation of complement. Direct immunofluorescence of
corneas from human donors using fluorescein-labeled antiserums was used to
demonstrate C1q, C3, C4, and C5. The C1q component (the recognition unit of
the classical pathway and largest complement component) was found in the
periphery of the cornea. Normal donor corneas were also eluted in
phosphate-buffered saline at 4 degrees C for one to four days. Ouchterlony
plates, in which the corneal eluate was reacted against antiserums to
complement components, disclosed the presence of C1q, C3, C4, C5,
properdin, and properdin factor B. Plasminogen was also found. Radial
immunodiffusion was used to obtain estimates of the concentrations of C3,
C4, and C5 in the cornea.
