[Corneal wound healing and immunohistological features of extracellular matrix following penetrating keratoplasty in rabbits].
OBJECTIVE
To analyze corneal wound healing after penetrating keratoplasty (PKP).


METHODS
We performed PKP on 20 white rabbit eyes, and applied immunohistochemical techniques. The distribution of type I, III and IV collagens, large proteoglycan, chondroitin 6-sulfate, chondroitin 4-sulfate, and vimentin was determined at postoperative intervals of 3 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month and 3 months.


RESULTS
By day 3, staining for type IV collagen was observed along the host-graft junction. By day 7, staining for type III collagen, large proteoglycan and chondroitin 6-sulfate had increased in the repair region, and then diminished with increasing postoperative time. Epithelial wound healing required more than one month, whereas the remodeling of Descemet's membrane did not terminate at 3 months after PKP.


CONCLUSIONS
The data from this study suggest that type III collagen, large proteoglycan and chondroitin 6-sulfate play a crucial role in the corneal wound healing after PKP.
Kato
T
T
Department of Ophthalmology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
Nakayasu
K
K
Kanai
A
A
D000818:Animals; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates / Q000032:analysis; D003094:Collagen / Q000032:analysis; D003315:Cornea / Q000378:metabolism*; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D015948:Keratoplasty, Penetrating; D011347:Procollagen / Q000032:analysis; D011817:Rabbits; D014746:Vimentin / Q000032:analysis; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology*
D011347:Procollagen; D014746:Vimentin; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates; D003094:Collagen