Immunological characterization and possible origin of plasminogen activator in human tear fluid.

Human tear fluid has plasminogen activator activity. The type of plasminogen activator activity in unstimulated and stimulated tears was determined, using antibodies that specifically neutralize tissue plasminogen activator or urokinase. All plasminogen activator activity was tissue plasminogen activator-related in both types of tears. Correlations between activities of beta-hexosaminidase, lysozyme and lactate dehydrogenase with tissue plasminogen activator activity indicate that the contribution to plasminogen activator activity of conjunctival and corneal epithelium is more important in unstimulated tears than stimulated tears. In stimulated tears the tissue plasminogen activator activity originates mainly from the lacrimal gland. It is suggested that a constant concentration of plasminogen activator is released from the lacrimal gland and that this concentration is independent of the secretion rate of tear fluid and that the release from the conjunctiva is due to desquamation of cells.