Immunology of corneal allograft rejection: HLA-DR antigens on human corneal cells.

Human stromal and endothelial cultures were established from corneas obtained from the Maryland Eye Bank. Cultures were incubated in the presence of human gamma interferon for 4 days, trypsinized, washed, and then stained with a monoclonal reagent specific for human Class II (HLA-DR) antigens. Under these conditions, 100% of human corneal endothelial cells and 40 to 70% human corneal stromal cells expressed HLA-DR antigens.