Carbohydrate moieties of the basal lamina: their role in attachment and spreading of basal corneal epithelial cells.

Three lectins, Wheat germ agglutinin, succinyl Concanavalin A and Ricinus communis agglutinin were used to block specific sugar moieties in the basal lamina. Corneal epithelial basal cells were plated onto freshly denuded basal lamina. Attachment was studied by quantifying the adherence of prelabeled cells and by examining attachment sites using transmission electron microscopy. Spreading was examined using scanning electron microscopy. Attachment of the cells occurred within 15 min and spreading was apparent after 45 min. Both Wheat germ agglutinin and beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase inhibited cellular attachment. Succinyl Concanavalin A and Ricinus Communis agglutinin permitted attachment, but inhibited extensive cellular spreading. The results indicate that the attachment of basal cells is dependent on N-acetylglucosamine residues, and spreading is mediated by alpha methylmannoside, glucose, and galactose residues.