purpose. To determine whether neural pathways for controlling goblet cell secretion are present in mouse and human conjunctiva.

methods. Mouse conjunctiva was homogenized and subjected to electrophoresis and Western blotting to detect PGP 9.5 (indicates nerves), muscarinic receptor subtypes (indicates parasympathetic pathway), and adrenergic receptors (indicates sympathetic pathway). Mouse eyes and human conjunctival tissue were analyzed by immunofluorescence microscopy. Antibodies to vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), dopamine β-hydroxylase (DBH), and muscarinic andα 1-and β-adrenergic receptor subtypes were used.

results. Western blot demonstrated PGP 9.5, M 1, M 2, and M 3 muscarinic receptors and α 1A-, β 1-, β 2-, and β 3-adrenergic receptors in mouse conjunctiva. Immunoreactivity for VIP, TH, and DBH was found adjacent to mouse and human goblet cells. M 1 and M 2 muscarinic receptors were identified throughout mouse conjunctiva, but M 3 receptor was predominantly on goblet cells. All three muscarinic receptor subtypes were detected on goblet cells in human conjunctiva. α 1A-Adrenergic receptors were found on epithelial cells and on goblet cells in mouse and human conjunctiva. β 1-and β 2-Adrenergic receptors were found on both epithelial and goblet cells in mouse conjunctiva, but not on human conjunctival cells. β 3-Adrenergic receptors were found on both epithelial and goblet cells in human conjunctiva but not on mouse conjunctival cells.

conclusions. The following conclusions were drawn: parasympathetic nerves and M 1, M 2, and M 3 muscarinic receptors, as well as sympathetic nerves are present on mouse and human goblet cells. The adrenergic receptors β 1 andβ 2, but not α 1A and β 3 are present on mouse conjunctival goblet cells, whereas α 1A and β 3, but not β 1 and β 2 are present on human conjunctival goblet cells, suggesting that these nerves and receptors could activate goblet cell secretion in mouse and humans.