The humoral immune response to alpha, beta and gamma crystallins of the human lens.

By radioimmunoassay the occurrence of antibodies against alpha, beta and gamma crystallins was examined in sera from groups of patients with clear lenses, cataracts or lens injuries. In about half of the sera from each group low anti alpha crystallin activity was found. No significant difference in antibody activity was found between the groups. Antibody activity against beta or gamma crystallins was not detected in any of the sera. Four patients with lens damage were followed for 2 years; two of them developed uveitis and showed increasing anti alpha crystallin activity. It is suggested that in man immunological tolerance to lens crystallins is normally present.