Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: Integrins are cell surface receptors which control adhesion, cell cycle, cell shape, growth, differentiation and survival. In addition, ß1 integrin is thought to be a marker of stem cell. We therefore have the interest to investigate the expression of α2ß1 and α3ß1 integrins in the cornea, limbus, conjunctiva, as well as in the fresh amniotic membrane and limbal epithelial cells cultured on amniotic membrane. Methods: Frozen sections of human cornea, limbus, conjunctiva, fresh amniotic membrane and amniotic membrane with cultured human limbal epithelial cells were stained with monoclonal mouse anti-human integrin α2ß1 and α3ß1 antibody. Frozen sections for negative control were also done. Results: The immunoreactivity of α2ß1 and α3ß1 integrins was observed in all layers of the basal and suprabasal epithelial cells of cornea, limbus, and conjunctiva. The staining was also observed in the epithelium of fresh amniotic membrane and limbal epithelial cells cultured on amniotic membrane. Conclusion: The same pattern of staining of α2ß1 and α3ß1 integrins in normal cornea, limbus, conjunctiva, and in the amniotic membrane suggests that both may share similar characteristics that support the growth and differentiation of corneal epithelial cells.
Keywords: 434 immunohistochemistry • 372 cornea: epithelium • 365 conjunctiva