Immunoconfocal localization of gelatinase B expressed by migrating intrastromal epithelial cells after deep annular excimer keratectomy.
OBJECTIVE
Intrastromal epithelial migration occurs following deep excimer annular keratectomy. Our purpose is to determine the localization of gelatinase B expression and its relationship to migrating intrastromal epithelial cells following deep annular excimer keratectomy.


METHODS
Rabbit corneas were treated with deep annular ablation and harvested 3, 5, 7 and 14 days following surgery. Histological examination was performed. Confocal microscopy was used to determine the time and the pattern of gelatinase B expression. This was compared to AE-5, vimentin, and alpha-smooth muscle actin immunolocalization.


RESULTS
Histologic examination revealed islands of epithelial cells within the corneal stroma after deep annular excimer ablation, whereas eyes treated with superficial annular keratectomy did not show intrastromal epithelial migration. Immunoconfocal microscopy using monoclonal anti-matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) antibody demonstrated the presence of gelatinase B at the outer borders of the intrastromal epithelial islands following deep annular excimer keratectomy.


CONCLUSIONS
Gelatinase B may be involved in the process of intrastromal epithelial migration following deep annular excimer keratectomy.
Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, and Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA.
M
M
Maeda
B D
BD
Vanlandingham
H
H
Ye
P C
PC
Lu
D T
DT
Azar
D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002465:Cell Movement; D017364:Collagenases / Q000378:metabolism*; D003315:Cornea / Q000601:surgery*; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000166:cytology* / Q000201:enzymology; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000201:enzymology*; D005260:Female; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D007633:Keratins / Q000378:metabolism; D054018:Lasers, Excimer; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D018903:Photorefractive Keratectomy; D011817:Rabbits; D014746:Vimentin / Q000378:metabolism; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology
D000199:Actins; D014746:Vimentin; D007633:Keratins; D017364:Collagenases; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9