In vitro adherence of Pseudomonas fluorescens organisms to the human cornea is correlated with bacterial pili. The role of pili in the attachment to human corneal epithelial cells was studied in an in vitro adherence assay system. A homogeneous, purified pilin preparation showed a molecular weight of 16,500 on SDS-polyacrylamide gels. Within 5 minutes incubation, 5.5 pg of pilin adhere to 15,000 epithelial cells. When epithelial cells were preincubated with purified pilin, a subsequent decrease in adherence of labeled pilin was noted. It appears that pili mediate adherence of Pseudomonas organism to human cornea.

Human corneal epithelial water insoluble proteins were used to immunize mice. Immune splenocytes were fused with Sp 2/0-Ag14 mouse myeloma cells by 40% PEG. Hybridoma antibodies obtained by somatic cell fusion were tested by radioimmunoassay. Supernatants from antibody positive hybrid colonies were used in immunofluorescence and crossreaction assays to locate and characterize corneal epithelial antigens. At least three distinct epithelial cell antigens were detected, one of which cross-reacts with rabbit corneal epithelial cells.