title: Albumin precursor and Hsp70 modulate corneal wound healing in an organ culture model.
abstract: In order to investigate the role of albumin precursor and Hsp70 in corneal wound healing, we have analyzed the distribution of these proteins in wounded and non-wounded corneas of rabbits and the effects of topical applications of anti-albumin precursor and anti-Hsp70 antibodies on wound healing. Anti-albumin precursor and anti-Hsp70 antibodies were topically applied in healing corneal epithelium of rabbit eyes in organ culture. Corneas were allowed to heal in vitro for up to 120 h in serum-free medium with 5 and 10 μg/ml or without (migrating control) anti-albumin precursor/ or anti-Hsp70 antibodies. Fibronectin (Fb) (5 μg/ml) was used as a positive control. Immunofluorescence labelling was used to detect proteins in corneal epithelium at various time intervals following an epithelial defect. Delay in wound healing (p<0.005) was observed with 10 μg/ml anti-albumin antibody labelling. A similar pattern was observed when anti-fibronectin antibody (5 μg/ml) alone and in combination with anti-albumin (10 μg/ml) was ectopically added with wound closure occurring at 120 h. However with anti-Hsp70 antibody (5 μg/ml) slightly delayed (p<0.005) wound closure was observed at 96 h and considerable retardation >120 h with 10 μg/ml. Additionally, immunofluoresence showed a strong co-localization of Hsp70 and albumin precursor during the active phase of wound healing. The presence of albumin precursor and Hsp70 in the epithelial compartment of the cornea indicates a role for these proteins in modulating cell behavior such as epithelial growth, adhesion or regeneration, thus contributing to corneal epithelial wound healing.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, University of Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Shamim
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mushtaq
authors.forename: Zulfiqar Ali
authors.initials: ZA
authors.lastname: Naqvi
authors.forename: Anwar Ali
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Siddiqui
authors.forename: Nikhat
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ahmed
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000418:Albumins / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D003315:Cornea / Q000378:metabolism; D065306:Corneal Injuries; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000293:injuries / Q000378:metabolism; D005131:Eye Injuries / Q000378:metabolism*; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018840:HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D011817:Rabbits; D012038:Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000418:Albumins; D000906:Antibodies; D005353:Fibronectins; D018840:HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins