title: Microscopical study of experimental wound healing in Notothenia coriiceps (Cabeçuda) at 0 degrees C.
abstract: Notothenia coriiceps (Cabeçuda) is an Antarctic benthic fish frequently found with lesions in the tegument caused by seal predation. We have investigated epidermal repair in these animals by means of a microscopic study of experimental wound healing at 0 degrees C. At 24--48 h after wound induction, mucous exudate and necrotic lining cells covered the wound. At 7--14 days, an epidermal "tongue" could be discerned, folded at the tip, with intercellular oedema between the tip and the wound border. After 23--30 days, the wound was completely closed and the migrating epidermis, with intercellular oedema, was reduced. By 45--90 days, melanocytes progressively increased in the epidermis but no scales were formed. The inflammatory infiltrate was mainly composed of neutrophils after 7 days, at which time they were mostly replaced by macrophages; lymphocytes and plasma cells were also present. The border epidermis slid towards the centre, folding at the tip and finally fusing to form a diaphragm. The cells of the epidermis began to multiply only after complete closure of the wound. The lack of scale formation on induced and naturally found wounds, even after 90 days, suggests that different mechanisms in wound repair occur at 0 degrees C from those in fish from temperate and tropical environment. This is the first report of successful wound repair at polar temperatures, indicating the adaptation of N. coriiceps to the Antarctic environment.
authors: Department of Cellular and Developmental Biology, Biomedical Sciences Institute, University of São Paulo, Lineu Prestes 1524, Sala 409 São Paulo 04601-000, Brazil. jrmcs@usp.br
authors: José Roberto Machado
authors: JR
authors: Cunha da Silva
authors: Edwin Lowell
authors: EL
authors: Cooper
authors: Idércio Luiz
authors: IL
authors: Sinhorini
authors: João Carlos Shimada
authors: JC
authors: Borges
authors: Bernard Ernesto
authors: BE
authors: Jensch-Junior
authors: Laércio Ribeiro
authors: LR
authors: Porto-Neto
authors: Francisco Javier
authors: FJ
authors: Hernandez-Blazquez
authors: Bruno Cossermelli
authors: BC
authors: Vellutini
authors: Leandro Nogueira
authors: LN
authors: Pressinotti
authors: Frederico Azevedo
authors: FA
authors: Costa-Pinto
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000864:Antarctic Regions; D002465:Cell Movement; D004817:Epidermis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005399:Fishes / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D007249:Inflammation / Q000473:pathology; D013997:Time Factors; D014945:Wound Healing