Neoglycoprotein binding distinguishes distinct zones in the epithelia of the porcine eye.

The presence and location of specific endogenous lectins in the anterior epithelia of the porcine eye were determined by histochemical staining using biotinylated glycosylated carrier molecules. Endogenous lectins with specificities for galactosides, alpha-mannosides and beta-xylosides were present in the conjunctival epithelium, but the corneal anterior epithelium appeared essentially free of histochemically demonstrable endogenous lectins. The corneal posterior epithelium contained a rich and complex set of endogenous lectins. The transitional area between conjunctival and corneal anterior epithelia at the limbus cornea contained, in striking contrast to either of the epithelia bordering it, cells expressing endogenous lectins in considerable wealth and variety.