Laser densitometric analysis of class I HLA antigen expression by corneal epithelium.

Laser densitometric analysis of immunoperoxidase stained tissue was used to quantitate class I HLA (HLA-A,B,C) antigen expression by human corneal epithelium. Frozen sections of human donor corneas stored in modified McCarey-Kaufman medium for less than 24 hr were evaluated for class I HLA antigen by an indirect immunoperoxidase technique using a monoclonal antibody reactive against a class I HLA antigen determinant. Photomicrographs of stained epithelium taken under standardized conditions were evaluated by laser densitometry. Measurements from peripheral and central corneal epithelium on the same tissue section were compared. Total stain, stain density, and stain intensity were higher for peripheral than for central corneal epithelium, indicating that class I HLA antigen expression is greater for peripheral than for central epithelium.