Immunoglobulins in the human cornea.

We examined 20 corneas of ten subjects to determine the amounts and distribution of immunoglobulins and albumin. Immunoglobulins IgG and IgA were found in all corneas, were at the same level centrally and peripherally, and were at one-half and one-fifth the serum levels respectively. The amount of cornea IgG correlated with serum IgG, but not with IgA. Immunoglobulin IgM was present in five of the ten sets of eyes. No IgM was detected in the central buttons of four of the five sets where IgM occurred in the corneal periphery. Albumin was present in all corneas, but less centrally than peripherally. The cornea contains high levels of antibody proteins.