Bcl-2 expression in the human cornea

Kazuaki Yamamoto, Patrick M. Ladage, David H. Ren, Ling Li, W. Matthew Petroll, James V. Jester, H. Dwight Cavanagh

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

32 Scopus citations

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the localization of Bcl-2 protein in the human cornea. Antihuman Bcl-2 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against selective Bcl-2 peptide sequences were used to localize Bcl-2 protein immunocytochemically in flesh eye bank donor human corneas (n = 4). Specificity of each MAb was determined by Western blot analysis of pooled protein extracted from human corneal epithelium (n = 3). Expression of Bcl-2 protein in apoptotic surface epithelial cells was detected by co-labeling with TUNEL assay and anti-Bcl-2 antibody staining. Two MAbs specific for amino acids residues (aa) 41-54 within the loop domain of Bcl-2 protein stained nuclei of all corneal epithelial cell layers. MAb specific for aa 61-76. also within the loop domain, produced faint nuclei and nuclear envelope staining. Occasional corneal surface epithelial cells however, consistently lacked anti-Bcl-2 nuclear staining with these three MAbs: concomitant TUNEL assay revealed that all TUNEL positive-surface cells were Bcl-2 negative. In the stroma, keratocytes showed similar but weak anti-Bcl-2 staining. All corneal endothelial cells showed intense nuclear staining with MAbs. with no gradient or absence of staining. In summary, Bcl-2 protein can be localized to the nuclei and nuclear envelope of corneal epithelial cells, keratocytes and endothelial cells with the use of MAbs specific for the loop domain of Bcl-2. TUNEL-labeled surface epithelial cells did not stain with MAbs to Bcl-2, suggesting degradation or epitope masking perhaps by specific phosphorylation of the loop domain during apoptosis. Taken together, these findings suggest that Bcl-2 protein may play a critical role in modulating apoptotic cell desquamation in the human corneal epithelium.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)247-255
Number of pages9
JournalExperimental Eye Research
Volume73
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 2001

Keywords

  • Apoptosis
  • Bcl-2
  • Corneal epithelium
  • Epithelial cells
  • Immunocytochemistry

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ophthalmology
  • Sensory Systems
  • Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

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