Ultrastructural localization of ConA and WGA receptors on human corneal endothelium.

Corneal endothelial cell plasma membrane plays an important role in maintaining normal thickness and transparency of the cornea. We investigated the molecular organization of endothelial cell membrane using lectins labeled with colloidal gold as ultrastructural probes. We detected the presence of Concanavalin A and Wheat Germ Agglutinin which recognize specific carbohydrate residues of membrane glycoconjugates. We think that this fine cytochemical approach may be useful to better understand the transport mechanisms between aqueous humor and corneal endothelium and to study adaptation and aging of corneal endothelial cells.