title: An in-vivo technique for monitoring keratocyte migration following lamellar keratoplasty.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We have recently developed a method for labeling and following the migration of keratocytes using the fluorescent dye, 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI), which intercalates specifically into the adenine-thymine base pairs of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA).
  
  
  METHODS
  DAPI was applied to a 2-millimeter area of the corneal stroma, at the edge of the microkeratome wound, prior to placement of the autograft.
  
  
  RESULTS
  DAPI-labeled keratocytes were identified by epifluorescence microscopy along the microkeratome wound and in the mid-periphery of the lamellar graft by day 7. In contrast, no DAPI-labeled keratocytes were observed in the graft immediately following surgery, indicating that the DAPI-labeled keratocytes observed in the graft at day 7 resulted from keratocyte migration, and not from diffusion of DAPI from the host into the graft.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These investigations suggest that DAPI could be a useful probe for monitoring the migration of keratocytes into corneal grafts following lamellar keratoplasty and other corneal transplant surgical techniques.
authors.affiliation: Bethesda Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, St Louis University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110.
authors.forename: K L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Kratz-Owens
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Hageman
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Schanzlin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000502:physiology; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000473:pathology*; D016039:Corneal Transplantation; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D007211:Indoles / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D011817:Rabbits; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D007211:Indoles; C007293:DAPI