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Is the corneal posterior cell layer truly endothelial?
Ophthalmology
|October 1, 1986
Summary
The human cornea's posterior cell layer lacks endothelial cell markers. Both anterior and posterior layers share similar cell markers, suggesting the posterior layer should not be called "endothelium".
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Cell Biology
- Histology
Background:
- The posterior cell layer of the human cornea is commonly referred to as the endothelium.
- Endothelial cells typically possess specific ultrastructural and immunocytochemical markers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the ultrastructural and immunocytochemical characteristics of the posterior cornea cell layer.
- To determine if the posterior cornea cell layer exhibits markers consistent with endothelial cells.
- To compare the cell markers of the posterior cornea layer with the anterior epithelial cell layer.
Main Methods:
- Electron microscopy was employed to examine the ultrastructure of the posterior cornea cells.
- Immunocytochemistry, specifically immunoperoxidase studies, was used to detect specific protein markers.
- Factor VIII antigen, keratin, vimentin, S-100 protein, and neuron-specific enolase were targeted.
Main Results:
- Posterior cornea cells lacked the Weibel-Palade body, a characteristic endothelial cell marker.
- These cells tested negative for Factor VIII antigen.
- Strong positive reactivity was observed for keratin, vimentin, S-100 protein, and neuron-specific enolase, similar to the anterior epithelial cells.
Conclusions:
- The posterior cell layer of the human cornea does not possess the typical ultrastructural or immunocytochemical markers of endothelial cells.
- Both the anterior and posterior cell layers of the cornea share similar cellular markers.
- The term "endothelium" is likely a misnomer for the posterior cornea cell layer.
