Immunohistological localization of regenerating protein in ocular structures.

PURPOSE

To investigate the presence of pancreatic stone protein (PSP)/reg (regenerating) protein in eyes and extraocular structures of rabbits, monkeys and man, according to species and age.

METHODS

Rabbit eyes, with normal or de-epithelialized corneas, were taken from albino and pigmented animals. Monkey eyes were taken from cynomolgus monkeys, 2 years old. Stillborn and adult human eyes were obtained after autopsy. They were studied by immunohistochemistry methods, using a monoclonal antibody raised against human PSP.

RESULTS

On rabbit ocular structures, the anti-PSP monoclonal antibody showed a strong reactivity at the level of basement membranes and basal poles of the cells of corneal and conjunctival epithelia and on basement membranes of skin and palpebral conjunctiva in eyelids. On de-epithelialized rabbit eyes, the remaining basement membrane was labeled while, along the re-epithelialization, the anti-PSP reactivity appeared with the migrating cells which cover the denuded cornea. On young monkeys, the whole corneal epithelium was reactive. Similar results were obtained from stillborn eyes, whereas no reactivity was detected on autopsy specimens from aged persons.

CONCLUSIONS

As in other tissues and organs, the reg protein, in the eye, is found in structures known for their continuous and rapid renewal. This protein seems not to exist (or persist) in eyes from aged donors while it is strongly expressed in young donor eyes (monkey, stillborn baby) as well as in regenerating corneal epithelium. These findings enforce the hypothesis about the involvement of reg protein in cell proliferation and differentiation phenomena and its probable correlation with aging.