The study of the proliferation origin for conjunctival epithelium

Purpose: The major function for conjunctival epithelium is to maintain the integrity of ocular surface. Conjunctival disease such as ocular pemphigoid, Stevens-Johsone's syndrome induced not only the cicatricial change of conjunctiva but also the destruction of corneal epithelium. Success reconstruction of conjunctival (or ocular) surface by amniotic membrane is the new going procedure. However, how to determinate ihe crucial area of conjunctival epithelium with the potential proliferative capacity for further repletion on conjunctival amniotic membrane is the key factor for success ocular surface reconstruction. Method.BrdU was daily injected into mouse peritoneum with the doses (lOml/lOOg) of BrdU labeling reagent for 2 weeks, then the eyeball was enucleated on day 1 day 3 day 9 and day 15. After fixation of eyeball, the paraffin sections were stained with anti-BrdU antibody, anti- PCNA antibody and PAS, alcian blue. Results: The positive staining for BrdU was detected as early as on day I. For cornea epithelium, only basal cells of sector peripheral cornea can be detected. For conjunctival epithelium, the positive staining for BrdU was only found over the bulbar conjunctiva . The positive staining for PCNA on day 1 was identified correspondent with the staining of BrdU on day i. On day 3 and day 9, the positive staining of BrdU was spreaded from bulbar conjunctival to fornical cornea area., On day 15, the positive staining for BrdU was found on the fornical area which is related to basal cells of the cluster of conjunctival goblet cells. Conclusion: Results indicated the fornical area containing the proliferative capacity of cells for goblet cells and non-goblet epithelium cells proliferation and differentiation. Two phase of the positive staining of BrdU can be defected phase 1 was found on day 1 which located at bulbar conjunctiva and phase 2 was found on day 3 to 15. which located at ihe goblet cells related area of fornix. None.