Laboratory science
Expression of adhesion molecule CD44 on human corneas
University Eye Hospital, Kiel, Germany
Correspondence to: Professor Dr med G Duncker, Klinik für Ophthalmologie der Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Hegewischstrasse 2, D-24105 Kiel, Germany.
Accepted for publication 16 September 1996
AIMS
This study was undertaken to confirm the
distribution and expression of the molecule CD44 on human corneas under
normal and pathological conditions.
METHODSFifty eight corneal buttons from adult
patients suffering from various corneal diseases and four normal
corneas were included in this study. Frozen sections were stained
immunohistochemically with monoclonal antibodies against human CD44
using an APAAP method and observed under a light microscope.
RESULTSIn normal corneas CD44 was predominantly
expressed on the membranes of basal epithelial cells and on the
keratocytes, as well as on the vascular endothelial cells of the
corneal limbi, but was not expressed on corneal endothelial cells.
Enhanced expression of CD44 was observed on the epithelium of corneas
with inflammation and allograft rejection. In a number of abnormal
conditions including allograft rejection, corneal trauma, primary and
secondary corneal endothelial decompensation the remaining endothelial
cells stained positively for CD44. However, in some corneas of
keratitis, keratoconus, and dystrophy the endothelium which appeared
relatively integral in morphology and amount remained CD44 negative.
CONCLUSIONSThese results suggest that CD44, the
hyaluronate receptor, may play an important role in corneal cell-cell
and cell-matrix interactions. Its regulation is closely related to
corneal inflammatory reactions. The induction of CD44 on corneal
endothelium might play a potential role in compensatory processes when
corneal endothelial cells are injured.
© 1997 by British Journal of Ophthalmology
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