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The lectin KM+ induces corneal epithelial wound healing in rabbits
Author(s) -
Chahud Fernando,
Ramalho Leandra N. Z.,
Ramalho Fernando S.,
Haddad Antonio,
RoqueBarreira Maria C.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
international journal of experimental pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.671
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1365-2613
pISSN - 0959-9673
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2613.2008.00626.x
Subject(s) - immunostaining , cornea , haematoxylin , wound healing , fluorescein , corneal epithelium , lectin , ophthalmology , pathology , regeneration (biology) , medicine , staining , anatomy , andrology , immunohistochemistry , biology , surgery , immunology , microbiology and biotechnology , physics , quantum mechanics , fluorescence
Summary Neutrophil influx is essential for corneal regeneration (Gan et al. 1999). KM+, a lectin from Artocarpus integrifolia , induces neutrophil migration (Santos‐de‐Oliveira et al. 1994). This study aims at investigating a possible effect of KM+ on corneal regeneration in rabbits. A 6.0‐mm diameter area of debridement was created on the cornea of both eyes by mechanical scraping. The experimental eyes received drops of KM+ (2.5 μg/ml) every 2 h. The control eyes received buffer. The epithelial wounded areas of the lectin‐treated and untreated eyes were stained with fluorescein, photographed and measured. The animals were killed 12 h (group 1, n = 5), 24 h (group 2, n = 10) and 48 h (group 3, n = 5) after the scraping. The corneas were analysed histologically (haematoxylin and eosin and immunostaining for proliferation cell nuclear antigen, p63, vascular endothelial growth factor, c‐Met and laminin). No significant differences were found at the epithelial gap between treated and control eyes in the group 1. However, the number of neutrophils in the wounded area was significantly higher in treated eyes in this group. Three control and seven treated eyes were healed completely and only rare neutrophils persisted in the corneal stroma in group 2. No morphological distinction was observed between treated and control eyes in group 3. In treated corneas of group 2, there was an increase in immunostaining of factors involved in corneal healing compared to controls. Thus, topical application of KM+ may facilitate corneal epithelial wound healing in rabbits by means of a mechanism that involves increased influx of neutrophils into the wounded area induced by the lectin.