Absorption of Protein Through the Conjunctival Mucous Membrane

Chait, Robert A.

doi:10.1001/archopht.1950.00910010535013

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…Latkovic's (1985) detection of acid phos-tracer into the stroma was documented. However, phatase in phagocytic vacuoles in the conjunctival ep- Chait (1950) has evidence of protein absorption across the human conjunctiva, suggesting that some route through the epithelium is accessible to large molecules.…”

Section: The Conjunctiva In Host Defensementioning

confidence: 99%

Conjunctiva

Nichols

1996

Microsc. Res. Tech.

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The conjunctiva is the mucous membrane that lines the inner surface of the eyelids and curves onto the anterior surface of the eyeball, where it extends to the cornea. It is continuous with the skin at the margin of the eyelids and with the cornea at the limbus (Wolff, 1976). Thus it forms a sac between the eyelids and the globe. Despite its small size, the conjunctiva plays a vital role in both vision and immunity. It physically protects the delicate structures of the eye by serving as a mechanical barrier to foreign substances, and it provides epithelium to cover corneal wounds (Kinoshita et al., 1983). Its goblet cells secrete mucus that forms the inner layer of the tear film and is essential for normal vision. The abundant blood supply of the conjunctiva delivers protective substances such as antibodies, complement, and white blood cells to the eye to combat infections and to remove dead or damaged tissue (Dawson, 1976, 1984). Lastly, the conjunctival, intestinal, bronchiolar, and other mucous membranes constitute the mucosal immune system (Chandler and Axelrod, 1980; Wolf and Bye, 1984), found in the regions of the body most commonly invaded by microorganisms. These topics will be discussed further in the following pages. When we began our study of the conjunctiva, our primary goal was to analyze the factors involved in the onset of an infection of the external eye. The surface of the epithelium, where invading microorganisms first impinge, had not yet been thoroughly investigated. We started by reexamining the structure of the normal epithelium and present here our observations of the structure of the conjunctiva, with emphasis on its surface. Of several species that we examined, the guinea pig most closely resembles man in conjunctival structure. Therefore, conjunctiva from pathogen‐free guinea pigs was used to illustrate this review. (See Technical Considerations.) © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

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Section: The Conjunctiva In Host Defensementioning

confidence: 99%