Effect of mechanical strain on human limbal epithelial cells in vitro.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of the mechanical cyclic strain on the extracellular matrix (ECM) production by cultivated human limbal epithelial cells (HLECs) in vitro.


METHODS
HLECs were repetitively stretched and relaxed by 20% of their original length. Morphology of HLECs was observed, and concentrations of fibronectin and laminin V were measured.


RESULTS
The strained HLECs were elongated and aligned perpendicular to the direction of force. Fibronectin and laminin V were highly expressed in the strain group compared with the control.


CONCLUSIONS
Cyclic strain induces the synthesis of fibronectin and laminin V in cultivated HLECs.
Oh
Joo Youn
JY
Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Jung
Kyoung Ah
KA
Kim
Mee Kum
MK
Wee
Won Ryang
WR
Lee
Jin Hak
JH
D015153:Blotting, Western; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D048430:Cell Shape; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism*; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006801:Humans; D016850:Limbus Corneae / Q000166:cytology*; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D000097794:Kalinin
D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D005353:Fibronectins; D000097794:Kalinin