Epithelial Basement Membrane Regeneration After PRK-Induced Epithelial-Stromal Injury in Rabbits: Fibrotic Versus Non-fibrotic Corneal Healing.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

To study epithelial basement membrane (EBM) regeneration in non-fibrotic and fibrotic corneas after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK).

Methods

Rabbits (120 total) had either epithelial scrape alone, -4.50 diopters (D) PRK, -9.00 D PRK, or no surgery. Immunohistochemistry was performed on cryofixed corneas at time points from unwounded to 8 weeks (four corneas at each time point in each group). Multiplex immunohistochemistry was performed for EBM components, including collagen type IV, laminin beta-3, laminin alpha-5, perlecan, and nidogen-1. Stromal cellular composition was studied by triplex immunohistochemistry for keratocan, vimentin, and alpha-smooth muscle actin (SMA).

Results

PRK-injured EBM significantly regenerated by 4 days after surgery. However, ear

SUBMITTER: de Oliveira RC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8852807 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature