Cell surface regulators of complement, 5I2 antigen, and CD59, in the rat eye and adnexal tissues.

PURPOSE: Cell surface complement regulatory proteins have been identified in high levels in ocular tissues, but no experimental model is available for examining their physiological roles. To develop such a model, the distribution of 5I2 antigen, a protein possessing the functions of the human decay-accelerating factor (DAF [CD55]) and membrane cofactor protein (MCP [CD46]), and rat inhibitory protein (CD59), the homologue of the human membrane inhibitor of reactive lysis (MIRL[CD59]) were characterized in the rat eye and ocular adnexal structures.

METHODS: After euthanasia of female Wistar rats, followed by orbital exenteration, eyelids and orbital tissue including the lacrimal gland were separated from the globes and immediately snap-frozen in liquid nitrogen at -70 degrees C. Tissues then were sectioned at -20 degrees C and examined immunohistochemically for 5I2 antigen and rat CD59.

RESULTS: Both molecules were found to be present in high levels in multiple sites. Corneal and conjunctival epithelia showed moderate to intense labeling for both regulators. Fibroblasts in the corneal stroma, conjunctiva, and sclera labeled similarly. Corneal endothelial cells showed intense labeling for rat CD59 but not for 5I2 antigen. The iris and ciliary body showed intense labeling for both proteins. The retina showed labeling at multiple levels, with that of rat CD59 being more intense than that of 5I2 antigen. The lacrimal gland labeled for both regulators. Vessels, muscle, and nerves in the orbit labeled intensely for both antigens. In the eyelid, conjunctiva, sebaceous glands, and muscle and nerve tissues labeled moderately to intensely for both molecules, whereas skin epithelium labeled less intensely.

CONCLUSIONS: 5I2 antigen and rat CD59 are expressed in high levels and distributed similarly in the rat eye and lacrimal gland to DAF, MCP, and MIRL in the human eye and lacrimal gland. These findings establish the rat ocular surface as a model for studying the role of cell surface complement regulators in this site. This first identification of copious expression of these proteins in eyelid structures, which also participate in protection of the ocular surface, further suggests an important role for surface complement regulatory proteins in this location.