Expression of Ia antigen-like molecules on cells in the corneal epithelium.

Ia antigens, known to be expressed preferentially on cells of the immune system, have been shown to be present on cells in the cornea. By immunofluorescence studies, it was shown that a specific rabbit anti-Ia antigen serum stained cells in the corneal epithelium. The stained cells were well integrated into the corneal epithelial architecture and displayed short dendritic processes. Their location in the cornea and corneal limbus and their morphological appearance make it reasonable to suggest that the Ia antigen-expressing cells of the cornea are equivalents of the Ia antigen-bearing Langerhans' cells of the epidermis.