Figure 4. Laminin γ2 chain and nidogen-2 expression in intact HAM and after various treatments.

Laminin γ2 (A) and nidogen-2 (B) are also expressed in central and limbal epithelial BM. The effects of various treatments are similar to the ones shown on Fig. 3. EDTA treatment results in incomplete cell removal or even HAM damage (double arrows) after extensive scraping. Thermolysin treatment removes cells well but shows some local irregular staining for proteolysis-sensitive laminin γ2 chain (A). NaOH produces HAM virtually devoid of epithelial cells with continuous staining for both BM components. Immunohistochemical staining of O.C.T.-embedded and sectioned HAM. Bar = 20 µm.