Yonsei Med J.  2000 Oct;41(5):651-656. 10.3349/ymj.2000.41.5.651.

The mucinous layer of corneal endothelial cells

• Kim EK
• Cristol SM
• Kim HL
• Kang SJ
• Park JW
• Edelhauser HF

• KMID: 1062245
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3349/ymj.2000.41.5.651

Abstract

PURPOSE
The goal of this study was to characterize the morphology of the mucinous layer on rabbit, bovine, owl, and human corneal endothelial cells.
METHODS
Corneoscleral buttons were fixed using cetylpyridinium chloride to stabilize "mucus" and the tissue was prepared for transmission electron microscopy. Photomicrographs were measured to determine the thickness of the endothelial and epithelial mucinous layer in the central cornea.
RESULTS
The endothelial mucinous layer was seen as a nearly uniform electrodense region on the apical aspect of the endothelium. It was found to be 0.9 microm, 0.9 microm, 0.9 microm, and 0.5 microm thick in rabbit, bovine, owl, and human, respectively. The owl endothelium had an additional less electrodense layer with a granular appearance and a thickness of about 200 microm. The mucinous layer on the epithelium was similar in appearance to that on the endothelium and across species.
CONCLUSIONS
The morphologic similarity of the endothelial and epithelial mucinous layers is a serendipitous finding that should prove valuable in experimental design. Ultimately, it is hoped that studies of the posterior corneal surface will deepen our knowledge of endothelial protection.

Keyword

Corneal endothelium; mucinous layer; mucin

MeSH Terms

Adult
Animal
Cytokines/pharmacology
Endothelium, Corneal/ultrastructure
Endothelium, Corneal/metabolism*
Endothelium, Corneal/cytology
Human
Microscopy, Electron
Mucins/ultrastructure
Mucins/metabolism*
Owls
Rabbits
Staining and Labeling