[Lectin-binding histochemical study on developing corneal epithelium and stroma of normal human being].

PURPOSE: To study glycoconjugates in developing cornea of normal human.

METHODS

Lectin-binding histochemical method with five biotin-coupled lectins (conA, LCA, PNA, WGA, RCA).

RESULTS

1. WGA mainly stained the membrane of epithelial cells, especially in surface cells. It also stained anterior stroma of embryo. 2. All the layers of epithelium could be stained by conA, uneven stain was seen in stroma of embryo corneas. 3. RCA, LCA receptor distributed in base of cornea epithelium. 4. PNA can only stain cornea epithelium of 16 embryo.

CONCLUSIONS

1. Glycoconjugates of binding conA, WGA, PNA, LCA, RCA are in the developing corneas of human. 2. The distribution of these lectin receptors may change with corneal developing. It may be related to the maturity of corneas.