The serological specificity of the cornea.

Abstract

Tannic-acid haemagglutination and complement-fixation tests as well as agar-gel precipitation revealed the presence of antigens in the human cornea which are also present in human epidermis, leukocytes and serum. Similar species specific antigens were also observed in rabbit cornea, epidermis, leucocytes and serum. Organ specific antigens were found in human and rabbit cornea. Individual specific corneal antigens in man were rarely observed and only in cases in which anti-corneal serum from patients after keratoplasty operations was used. The importance of corneal antigens in relation to corneal homografting operations is discussed.