AIM:To evaluate the expression of dendritic cell-associated C-type lectin-1 (dectin-1) in human corneal epithelial (HCE) cells infected by fungus.METHODS:A total of 20 cases of healthy donor corneas were group A, and 20 patients (20 eyes) suffered from fungal keratitis (FK) composed group B. Real-time qPCR and immunohistochemistry were applied to detect dectin-1 expression in corneal epithelium of both groups. HCE cells were cultured with aspergillus fumigatus (AF) antigens in vitro. The expression of dectin-1 mRNA was measured by real-time qPCR at the stimulation of 0, 4, 8 and 24h separately. Dectin-1 protein was detected by immunocytochemistry at 0 and 24h separately.RESULTS: Dectin-1 expressed in corneal epithelium of normal persons and FK patients. Vitro cellular experiment showed that the expression of dectin-1 mRNA in HCE cells began to increase after stimulation of AF antigens at 4h, and dectin-1 protein expression increased after stimulation at 24h.CONCLUSION: Dectin-1 expressed in corneal epithelium of normal persons. AF antigens stimulation can elevate the expression of dectin-1 in HCE cells in vitro.