Proteins in Human Tears

Abstract

Immunoelectrophoresis of tears yielded seven visible components. These were identified with specific antisera as specific tear prealbumin, serum albumin, ceruloplasmin, transferrin, IgA, IgG, and lysozyme. Specific tear prealbumin is a unique tear component. Tear IgA has a specific antigenic moiety not present in serum IgA. The importance of these seven proteins is discussed.