Purpose. Sialyl Lewis X (sLe(x)), Lewis X (Le(x)), and N-acetyllactosamine
are carbohydrate chains of neolactoglycoconjugates which are expressed by s
pecific cell types and are important in the functioning of cells within an
organism. This study attempts to determine the expression of these glycocon
jugates on the conjunctiva, cornea, and trabecular meshwork (TM) of both no
rmal and glaucomatous eyes.
Methods. Frozen anterior segment sections of both normal and glaucomatous h
uman cadaver eyes, as well as rabbit eyes, were stained with a panel of mon
oclonal antibodies (mAbs) to neolactoglycoconjugates using an Avidin Biotin
Peroxidase Complex/Alkaline Phosphatase staining method.
Results. SLe(x) characteristically stained both human conjunctival and corn
eal epithelia in normal (n=5) and glaucomatous (n=5) sections. SLe(x) stain
ed corneal and conjunctival epithelia of glaucomatous eyes much more intens
ely than normal eyes. Rabbit cornea sections stained for sLe(x), Le(x), and
N-acetyllactosamine. However, human cornea only consistently stained with
sLe(x). Normal and glaucomatous human TM sections did not stain for sLe(x),
Le(x), or N-acetyllactosamine.
Conclusions. The expression of glycoconjugates with sLe(x) side chains appe
ars to be upregulated in the conjunctival and corneal epithelia of glaucoma
tous eyes. Distinct species specific differences were noted in Le(x) and N-
acetyllactosamine staining patterns in rabbit and human corneal epithelia.