Is the corneal posterior cell layer truly endothelial?

The posterior cell layer of the normal human cornea or "endothelium" was investigated by electron microscopy and immunocytochemistry. Ultrastructurally, the cells lacked the characteristic marker for endothelial cells (Weibel-Palade body). Immunoperoxidase studies demonstrated these cells to be negative for factor VIII antigen, but strongly positive for keratine, vimentin, S-100 protein, and neuron-specific enolase. The anterior epithelial cell layer showed identical immunoreactivity. These studies strongly suggest that the posterior cell layer of the cornea lacks ultrastructural and immunocytochemical markers of endothelial cells and both the anterior and posterior cell layers share similar cell markers. The authors propose that the posterior cell layer of the cornea should, therefore, not be misnamed as "endothelium."