Antibodies to Endogenous Tear Protein in Normal Human Tears

PURPOSE: To identify endogenous tear proteins immunoselected by antibodies from normal human ocular tears. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Proteins were immunoselected from normal human tear samples without the addition of primary antibodies. Captured proteins were electrophoresed in polyacrylamide gels and silver stained. Human tears were also used as primary antibodies on immunoblots of tear proteins. RESULTS: Lysozyme, lipocalin-1, and lactoferrin were immunoselected from normal human tear samples without the addition of primary antibodies. Antibodies from normal tears recognized lysozyme on immunoblots of tear proteins. CONCLUSION: Normal human ocular tears contain antibodies to endogenous tear protein.