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Bone marrow-derived cells in mouse and human cornea
Satoru Yamagami1, Tomohiko Usui, Shiro Amano
1Department of Corneal Tissue Regeneration, Tokyo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan. syamagami-tky@umin.ac.jp
Insights
Bone marrow-derived cells, including dendritic cells and macrophages, are found in the cornea. Their distribution and types differ between human and mouse corneas, and from other human tissues, suggesting immune roles.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Ophthalmology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Bone marrow-derived cells play crucial roles in immune surveillance.
- The cornea's immune cell distribution is vital for ocular surface health.
- Understanding these cells aids in diagnosing and treating corneal diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and compare the distribution of bone marrow-derived cells in human and mouse corneas.
- To compare corneal immune cell distribution with that in human skin and oral mucosa.
- To elucidate the roles of these cells in ocular surface immunity.
Main Methods:
- Review of experimental data on cell distribution in corneas, skin, and oral mucosa.
- Analysis of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II expression on dendritic cells (DC).
- Identification of monocyte (Mo)/macrophage (MPhi) lineage cells using specific markers.
Main Results:
- Mouse cornea contains MHC class II-negative DCs in the epithelium and varying MHC class II expression in the stroma.
- Human cornea shows MHC class II-positive myeloid DCs and Mo/MPhi lineage cells in epithelium and stroma.
- Cell distribution in human cornea differs significantly from human skin and nasal mucosa.
Conclusions:
- Bone marrow-derived cells are present in situ in the normal human cornea.
- These cells are prepared to respond to foreign antigens and pathogens.
- They play critical roles in the innate and acquired immunity of the ocular surface.
Abstract:
Recently published experimental data on the distribution of bone marrow (BM)-derived cells in human and mouse corneas in comparison with in human skin/oral mucosa are reviewed. In mouse corneal epithelium, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II-negative dendritic cells (DC) are present. Immature MHC class II-negative and mature MHC class II-positive DC are present in the center and periphery of the anterior corneal stroma, respectively. Monocyte (Mo)/macrophage (MPhi) lineage cells including the MPhi marker F4/80-expressing cells reside in the posterior stroma. In human cornea, MHC class II (HLA-DR)-positive immature myeloid DC (CD11cCD16, CD11cCD16, and CD11cCD1c) and Mo/MPhi lineage cells are detectable in the corneal epithelium and stroma, respectively. Distribution of Mo/MPhi lineage cells (HLA.DRCD11bCD11cCD14) is predominant in the anterior stroma of the central cornea and all layers of the peripheral cornea. Both the phenotypes and distribution pattern of these cells in human cornea are different from those of human skin and nasal mucosa. These findings suggest that BM-derived cells in normal human cornea are present in situ in preparation for foreign antigen and pathogens and have critical roles in innate and acquired immunity of the ocular surface.
