Localization of acetylcholinesterase in the rabbit cornea by light and electron microscopy

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) has been localized in the rabbit cornea by light and electron microscopy histochemical techniques. In the stroma, the enzyme is concentrated in nerves. In the epithelium, the enzyme is concentrated in intercellular spaces devoid of nerves. The morphologic appearance of the enzyme staining by light and electron microscopy in the epithelium is similar; consequently, the staining demonstrated with light microscopy examination does not always represent epithelial nerves. A significant portion of corneal acetylcholinesterase therefore appears unrelated to nerves. Considerably smaller deposits of enzyme reaction product were present in cells in every layer of the cornea, using electron microscopy histochemistry; they were not identified by light microscopy.