Proteoglycan alterations in the rabbit corneal stroma after a lamellar incision.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate proteoglycans under minimally damaged epithelium after a lamellar microkeratome incision.


METHODS
Collaborating university departments.


METHODS
Anterior lamellar caps were excised from rabbit corneas and then resutured in place. Healing tissue was examined by electron microscopy with proteoglycan staining.


RESULTS
In the weeks after surgery, regions of disorganized stromal matrix were populated by sulfated proteoglycan filaments that were much larger (up to 300 nm long) than those in quiescent stroma.


CONCLUSIONS
Large, sulfated proteoglycans existed in rabbit corneas healing from lamellar incisions. These molecules appear to be a normal feature of corneal wound healing; because of their water-binding capacity, they might aid tissue restructuring.
Quantock
Andrew J
AJ
Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Cardiff University, United Kingdom. QuantockAJ@cf.ac.uk
Padroni
Sara
S
Connon
Che J
CJ
Milne
Gordon
G
Schanzlin
David J
DJ
D000818:Animals; D003300:Copper; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000601:surgery* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D007211:Indoles; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ / Q000379:methods; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011817:Rabbits; D013194:Staining and Labeling / Q000379:methods; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D014945:Wound Healing
D007211:Indoles; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D011509:Proteoglycans; C015445:copper phthalocyanine; D003300:Copper