Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 10, 2026
A Non-invasive Way to Isolate and Phenotype Cells from the Conjunctiva
Published on: July 5, 2017
Canine normal corneal epithelium bears a large population of CD45-positive cells
Andrea R R Carvalho1, Carolina Naranjo, Marta Leiva
1Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Vallès), Barcelona, Spain. Andrea.Carvalho@uab.es
Insights
Normal canine corneas contain immune cells, primarily CD45-positive cells, throughout the epithelium. These immune cells appear inactive, lacking MHC class II expression, suggesting a need for further research into their function.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Ophthalmology
- Immunology
- Corneal Biology
Background:
- The canine cornea's immune cell composition is not fully understood.
- Immune surveillance plays a critical role in maintaining ocular health.
- Identifying resident immune cells is key to understanding corneal immunity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and distribution of immune cells within the normal canine corneal epithelium.
- To characterize the phenotype of these immune cells.
Main Methods:
- Whole-mount immunofluorescence staining of normal canine corneal epithelium.
- Utilized monoclonal antibodies targeting CD45, CD11c, CD1c, and MHC class II.
- Quantified cell populations and their distribution.
Main Results:
- CD45-positive immune cells were detected in all epithelial layers of the canine cornea.
- Higher concentrations of CD45-positive cells were found in the corneal periphery compared to the central region.
- CD11c-positive cells were present but in lower numbers; neither cell type expressed MHC class II.
Conclusions:
- Normal canine corneas harbor a significant population of immune cells within the epithelium.
- These resident immune cells exhibit an inactive phenotype, indicated by the absence of MHC class II expression.
- Further investigation is warranted to explore the potential of these cells to act as antigen-presenting cells upon stimulation.
Abstract:
This investigation sought to identify the presence of immune cells in normal canine corneal epithelium. A whole-mount immunofluorescence study of normal canine epithelium using monoclonal antibodies against CD45, CD11c, CD1c and MHC class II was performed. CD45-positive cells were located in all epithelial layers throughout the cornea, occurring in greater numbers (51.98+/-4.1/mm(2)) at the periphery and decreasing towards the central region (11.8+/-3.1/mm(2)). CD11c-positive cells were also observed, but were fewer in number. The findings show that the normal canine cornea carries a significant number of cells of immune origin; these cells seem to be of an inactive phenotype as they do not express MHC class II. Further studies are needed to determine whether these cells can express co-stimulatory molecules and act as antigen presenting cells if stimulated.
