Electrical profiles in the corneal epithelium.

1. The potentials and resistances associated with the cell membranes of the rabbit corneal epithelium were studied with 3 M-KCl-filled micro-electrodes.2. In the isolated cornea, the transepithelial potential was identical in polarity and magnitude to the simultaneously measured total corneal potential. In contrast to previous findings, the stromal potential was positive to the tear side. Negative stromal potentials apparently derive from inadequate electrodes or method of penetration, and were not found to be a function of filling solution. Transepithelial potential was also identical to over-all corneal potential in the living rabbit eye.3. In the isolated preparation, the average potential profile occurred in three distinct steps across the epithelium. By means of iontophoretic dye injection it was shown that these steps occurred across the outer membrane of the squamous cell, the transition region between the wing and basal cell, and across the inner membrane of the basal cell.4. The transverse membrane resistance of the outer epithelial membrane accounted for 60% of total corneal resistance. As a result, short-circuit current, which depolarizes the cornea, led to a hyperpolarization of the outer membrane, while affecting deeper membrane potentials little or not at all.5. The spontaneous potential of the outer membrane varied inversely with corneal potential in both normal and chloride-free Ringer, while the potential of the inner membrane of the basal cell was relatively constant, approaching the theoretical Nernst potential for potassium. The potential of the outer membrane was at chloride equilibrium and was sensitive to extracellular shunts. A Thevenin equivalent drawn for the epithelium suggested that half of the outer membrane potential could be attributed to loop currents. The potential step between wing and basal cells could be accounted for in terms of loop currents driven by the corneal potential through the epithelium.6. The potential profile of the frog corneal epithelium was similar to that of the rabbit. However, the major resistance in the frog cornea was associated with the basal cell membrane rather than with the squamous cell outer membrane. Quasi-instantaneous rectification was found for both epithelia. In the rabbit chloride rectified inwardly.