Lactoferrin in human ocular tissues.

The main lacrimal gland and accessory lacrimal tissue from seven autopsy cases, lacrimal biopsy specimens from three patients, and conjunctival biopsy specimens from ten patients were examined for lactoferrin by an immunohistologic technique. Lactoferrin was identified and localized to acinar epithelial cells of both main and accessory lacrimal tissue. Lactoferrin was not found in conjunctival tissue except within conjunctival neutrophils. Other possible sources of human tear lactoferrin were considered, but we concluded from our data that the primary source of lactoferrin in normal human tears is the acinar epithelium of the main and accessory lacrimal glands.