Ultrastructural Demonstration of Helix Pomatia Lectin-Binding Sites in Goblet Cells of Human Conjunctiva

The Lectin-binding sites in goblet cells of normal human conjunctiva were investigated at the ultrastructural level by means of post-embedding staining of resin-embedded thin sections, using Helix pomatia lectin-gold complex (HPL-GC). The satisfactory labeling and good fine structure preservation were obtained by mild aldehyde fixation, Agar resin 100 embedding and post-embedding staining protocol. The Helix pomatia lectin-binding sites were intensely observed over mucus droplets of goblet cells. This finding demonstrates that N-acetyl-D-galactosamine is present in the glycoconjugates of goblet cells of human conjunctiva.