T-LYMPHOCYTES OF THE NORMAL HUMAN CORNEA

T-lymphocytes of the normal human cornea (10 donors) were studied from corneal fragments cultured in IL-2 medium. Their phenotypic repertoir e was performed by FACS analysis using the following monoclonal antibo dies: CD3, CD19, CD4, CD29, CD18, CD16, CD56, CD25, TCR alpha/beta, TC R alpha/beta. Functional analysis was done by proliferation assays (PL T). T cell growth was more often obtained from peripheral (n = 7/10) t han central corneal parts (M = 3/10). Most of the cultured cells carri ed the CD8 marker were activated (HLA DR+) and had a cytotoxic functio n (CD 18+). All their T cell-receptors were alpha/beta type. No NK cel ls could be detected. No specific proliferation was observed when test ed on a panel of HLA typed presenting cells. This study demonstrated a ctivated T-lymphocytes in the normal human cornea. These activated, cy totoxic CD8+ lymphocytes could participate in the particular immunolog ical characteristics of the eye.