RT info:eu-repo/semantics/article
T1 Dynamic changes of the extracellular matrix during corneal wound healing
A1 Lorenzo Martín, Elvira
A1 Gallego Muñoz, Patricia
A1 Mar Sardaña, Santiago
A1 Fernández Martínez, Itziar
A1 Cidad Velasco, María del Pilar
A1 Martínez García, María del Carmen
K1 Extracellular matrix
K1 Matriz extracelular
K1 Collagen type III
K1 Colágeno tipo III
K1 Decorin
K1 Decorina
K1 Corneal wound healing
K1 Cicatrización de herida corneal
AB The extracellular matrix (ECM) confers transparency to the cornea because of the precise organization of collagen fibrils and a wide variety of proteoglycans. We monitored the corneal wound healing process after alkali burns in rabbits. We analyzed the location and expression of collagens and proteoglycans, the clinical impact, and the recovery of optical transparency. After the animals received both general and ocular topical anesthesia, the central cornea of the left eye was burned by placing an 8-mm diameter filter paper soaked in 0.5 N NaOH for 60 s. The eyes were evaluated under a surgical microscope at 1, 3, and 6 months after burning. At each time point, the clinical conditions of the burned and control corneas were observed. The arrangement of collagen fibers in the corneal stroma was visualized by Picrosirius-red staining, Gomori's silver impregnation and transmission electronic microscopy. Corneal light transmittance was also measured. Myofibroblasts presence was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. mRNA expression levels of collagen types I and III, lumican, decorin, keratocan and alpha-smooth muscle actin were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. One month after alkali burn, the ECM was disorganized and filled with lacunae containing different types of cells and collagen type III fibers in the wound area. Corneal opacities were present with attendant loss of light transmittance. Collagen and proteoglycan mRNA expression levels were up-regulated. After three months, wound healing progress was indicated by reduced corneal opacity, increased light transmittance, reorganization of collagen fibers and only collagen type I expression levels were at control levels. After six months, the wound area ECM morphology was similar to controls, but transmittance values remained low, denoting incomplete restoration of the stromal architecture. This multidisciplinary study of the stromal wound healing process revealed changes in corneal transmittance, collagen organization, myofibroblasts presence and ECM composition at 1, 3, and 6 months after alkali burning. Documenting wound resolution during the six-month period provided reliable information that can be used to test new therapies.
PB Elsevier
SN 0014-4835
YR 2019
FD 2019
LK http://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/37291
UL http://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/37291
LA eng
NO Experimental Eye Research, 2019,  vol. 186
NO Producción Científica
DS UVaDOC
RD 24-nov-2024