BACKGROUND: Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors are located throughout the body. The demonstration of muscarinic receptors in corneal tissue has been inconsistent. Using freshly fixed human corneal tissue, we show a complete profile of muscarinic receptor subtypes in human corneal epithelium and endothelium. METHODS: Muscarinic receptor sites were studied using immunocytochemistry, immunofluorescence and immunoblotting. RESULTS: Antibodies to M2, M4 and M5 muscarinic receptor subtypes bound in human corneal epithelium and endothelium. No binding was found for antibodies to M1 and M3 muscarinic receptor subtypes. CONCLUSIONS: Our studies indicate the presence of M2, M4 and M5 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor subtypes in human corneal epithelium and endothelium. These receptors may play a role in the regulation of corneal homeostasis, other functions, like wound healing, or the pathogenesis of corneal diseases.
BACKGROUND: Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors are located throughout the body. The demonstration of muscarinic receptors in corneal tissue has been inconsistent. Using freshly fixed human corneal tissue, we show a complete profile of muscarinic receptor subtypes in human corneal epithelium and endothelium. METHODS: Muscarinic receptor sites were studied using immunocytochemistry, immunofluorescence and immunoblotting. RESULTS: Antibodies to M2, M4 and M5 muscarinic receptor subtypes bound in human corneal epithelium and endothelium. No binding was found for antibodies to M1 and M3 muscarinic receptor subtypes. CONCLUSIONS: Our studies indicate the presence of M2, M4 and M5 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor subtypes in human corneal epithelium and endothelium. These receptors may play a role in the regulation of corneal homeostasis, other functions, like wound healing, or the pathogenesis of corneal diseases.
Authors: Alex I Chernyavsky; Valentin Galitovskiy; Igor B Shchepotin; James V Jester; Sergei A Grando Journal: Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci Date: 2014-09-30 Impact factor: 4.799