ABH and Lewis immunohistochemistry of the human eye

ABH and Lewis antigens are detected by immunohistochemistry exclusively in the anterior cornea epithelium and in the conjunctiva bulbi, but not in the ciliary body, in the retina, or in the vitreous body of the eye. The ABH antigens found in the vitreous humor by the absorption elution technique (Rordorf et al., Forensic Sci. Int. 41, 1989, 111-116) are probably glycosphingolipids, which are not detected by immunohistochemistry. They may come from the plasma of uveal blood vessels, or be produced by local cells.