[HLA antigenicity of normal and pathological corneas]

Fresh human corneas and corneal buttons were studied for expression of HLA antigens. Using monoclonal antibodies in an indirect immunofluorescence assay, corneal layers were examined for class I (HLA-A, B, C) and class II (HLA-DR) histocompatibility antigens. Twenty-one human corneas were studied, 6 normal and 15 pathological: 4 buttons of allograft rejection, 9 buttons of pseudophakic bullous keratopathy. In fresh control corneas, HLA-A, B, C antigens were localized on corneal epithelium and on stromal keratocytes but were never found on endothelial cells. HLA-DR antigens were not detected on corneal epithelium, stroma or endothelium but were detected on Langerhans cells within epithelium and anterior stroma. At the corneal limbus, HLA class I-II antigens were expressed on vascular endothelium. HLA antigen distribution was modified in pathological corneas. Antigens HLA-A, B, C were induced on endothelial cells of rejected corneal allografts. Antigens HLA-DR were detected on epithelial cells, cells in the stroma of pseudophakic bullous keratopathy and also on endothelial cells of rejected corneal allografts. These results suggest that induction of class I and II antigen expression by inflammatory factors may occur in vivo. In rejected corneal allografts induction of HLA-DR antigen on corneal layers would intensify the process of rejection. This study and others have demonstrated the ability of modulation of HLA antigen expression on human corneal cells in vivo.