Cell-Surface Receptors Of Normal, Regenerating, And Cultured Corneal Epithelial And Endothelial Cells

¹ Departments of Microbiology and Ophthalmology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University New York, N. Y.

The presence of cell-surface receptors accessible to antibodies on regenerating and cultured, but not on resting or metabolically inhibited, corneal epithelial and endothelial cells was established by immunofluorescence or immunocytotoxicity. The metabolically dependent antigens (MDA) can be demonstrated in the corneal cells (membranes) even when absent from the surface of viable cells. This is evidenced by the ability of normal cells to induce an antibody response and by absorption experiments. Thus, comeal regeneration as well as corneal cell culture apparently involves an unmasking of the MDA. In contrast to the restricted specificity of the MDA, the ubiquitous Forssman or blood-group antigens on chicken corneal cells reacted with antibodies independently of their metabolic state. The immunocytotoxic .reactions involving Forssman cell-surface antigens were enhanced by complement, whereas, similar reactions involving the MDA were complement independent.

Note:
Special Fellow of National Institutes of Health. Present address: University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Department of Pathology, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15261.

Key Words: antibody accessibility • corneal epithelium • corneal endothelium • corneal cell culture • corneal regeneration • cell surface antigens • metabolically inhibited corneal cells • metabolically activated corneal cells • immunofluorescence • immunocytotoxicity

Submitted on May 13, 1974