Figure 1.

Representative images showing increased HGF expression in basal epithelial cells adjacent to the cone region in KC (a), compared to the relatively more uniform expression seen in all layers of control cornea epithelium at a similar location (c). Strong HGF stromal staining (keratocyte and extracellular matrix) is also observed in KC and control corneas (a to c). No immunostaining is apparent in the Ig negative control (d). (a) Region adjacent to the cone in KC cornea, (b) cone region in KC cornea, (c) central region of control cornea, and (d) Ig negative control cornea. Epi: epithelium, Stro: stromal. Green: HGF; blue: nuclei.