title: Reversal of conjunctival transdifferentiation by topical retinoic acid.
abstract: After resurfacing a total corneal epithelial defect extending 2-3 mm beyond the limbus, conjunctival epithelium gradually loses goblet cells and transforms into a corneal-like epithelium. We examined the effect of topical retinoic acid on the reversal of transdifferentiation on nonvascularized corneas. Four months after total denudation of corneal epithelium using n-heptanol, rabbit corneas without vascularization received topical drops of 0.1% (wt/vol) all-trans retinoic acid in corn oil 3 times a day. Before treatment, the transdifferentiation was complete, as evidenced by the absence of goblet cells on the corneal surface using a topographical assay and routine histology. After treatment for 15 days, goblet cells reappeared 3 mm into the peripheral cornea, and extended in a centripetal density to 4.5 mm after 32 days. To prove that retinoic acid was not angiogenic, retinoid-bearing Elvax-40 pellets were implanted into normal corneal stroma. Taken together, these data indicate that vitamin A or retinoids may be an important factor in the modulation of conjunctival epithelial transdifferentiation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, Florida 33101.
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Tseng
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Farazdaghi
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D003315:Cornea / Q000166:cytology; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D009024:Morphogenesis; D011817:Rabbits; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D014212:Tretinoin