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.
Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA.
Tohru
T
Sakimoto
Tae-Im
TI
Kim
David
D
Ellenberg
Naomi
N
Fukai
Sandeep
S
Jain
Dimitri T
DT
Azar
Jin-Hong
JH
Chang
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