Specific transduction of the leading edge cells of migrating epithelia demonstrates that they are replaced during healing.
As wounds in stratified epithelia close, the numbers of cells at the leading edge of migration decreases. It is not known whether cells at the leading edge are continually replaced or whether some retain their position at the leading edge over time. Replication-deficient adenovirus carrying the green fluorescent protein gene was applied to corneal epithelial wounds in mice and it was found that they primarily infect the leading edge cells of healing epithelium. Eighteen hr after viral transduction, green fluorescent protein expressing cells were located in the apical layer at varying distances behind the leading edge. These data indicate that leading edge cells are replaced during healing of stratified epithelia.
Danjo
Yukitaka
Y
Schepens Eye Research Institute, 20 Staniford Street, Boston, MA 02114, U.S.A.
Gipson
Ilene K
IK
D000256:Adenoviridae / Q000235:genetics; D000818:Animals; D002465:Cell Movement; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000293:injuries*; D005822:Genetic Vectors / Q000008:administration & dosage; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D008164:Luminescent Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D014161:Transduction, Genetic; D014945:Wound Healing
D008164:Luminescent Proteins; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins