Collagen XVIII and corneal reinnervation following keratectomy.
The significance of collagen XVIII in the regulation of corneal reinnervation remains largely unknown. We used whole-mount immunoconfocal microscopy to localize collagen XVIII to the nerve basement membrane of wild-type (WT) mouse corneas. Transmission electron microscopy showed corneal nerve disorganization in collagen XVIII knockout mice (col18a1(-/-)). Antibody 2H3-specific neurofilament colocalized with collagens XVIII and IV and laminin-2 in WT mouse corneas, but did not colocalize with collagen IV and laminin-2 in col18a1(-/-) mouse corneas. Following keratectomy, col18a1(-/-) mice displayed decreased corneal neurite extension compared to WT mice. Our data indicate that collagen XVIII may play an important role in corneal reinnervation after wounding.
Sakimoto
Tohru
T
Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA.
Kim
Tae-Im
TI
Ellenberg
David
D
Fukai
Naomi
N
Jain
Sandeep
S
Azar
Dimitri T
DT
Chang
Jin-Hong
JH
D000818:Animals; D024141:Collagen Type IV / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D043170:Collagen Type XVIII / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D003315:Cornea / Q000294:innervation* / Q000502:physiology; D065306:Corneal Injuries; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000235:genetics; D016501:Neurites / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000235:genetics
D024141:Collagen Type IV; D043170:Collagen Type XVIII