Caveolin-1 as a novel indicator of wound-healing capacity in aged human corneal epithelium.
Excess caveolin-1 has been reported to play a role in age-dependent hyporesponsiveness to growth factors in vitro. Therefore, we hypothesized that caveolin-1-dependent hyporesponsiveness to growth factors in aged corneal epithelial cells might be responsible for delayed wound healing in vivo. To test this hypothesis, we evaluated corneal wound-healing time by vital staining using fluorescein after laser epithelial keratomileusis (LASEK). We compared wound-healing times in young, middle-aged and elderly patients. We also examined caveolin-1 levels and other aging markers, such as p53 and p21, in the corneal epithelium. Elderly patients generally had higher caveolin-1 levels in the corneal epithelia than young patients. There were, however, variations among individuals with increased caveolin-1 in some young patients and decreased levels in some elderly patients. Wound-healing time after LASEK correlated well with the corneal caveolin-1 status. Therefore, we suggest that caveolin-1 status might be responsible for delayed wound healing in elderly patients after LASEK. Caveolin-1 status might be a regulator for wound-healing capacity and a novel target for in vivo adjustment.
Rhim
Ji Heon
JH
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Aging and Apoptosis Research Center, Institute on Aging, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Kim
Jae Hoon
JH
Yeo
Eui-Ju
EJ
Kim
Jae Chan
JC
Park
Sang Chul
SC
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers; D051242:Caveolin 1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D049008:Keratectomy, Subepithelial, Laser-Assisted; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D051419:Paxillin / Q000378:metabolism; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013666:Tears / Q000737:chemistry; D014945:Wound Healing; D055815:Young Adult
D015415:Biomarkers; D051242:Caveolin 1; D051419:Paxillin; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor