June 2013
Volume 54, Issue 15
Free
ARVO Annual Meeting Abstract  |   June 2013
Galectin-3 Enhanced Epithelialization in Explanted Monkey Corneas with Alkali Burn
Author Affiliations & Notes
  • Atsuko Fujii
    Laboratory of Ocular Sciences, Senju Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd., Beaverton, OR
    Department of Integrative Biosciences, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR
  • Thomas Shearer
    Department of Integrative Biosciences, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR
  • Mitsuyoshi Azuma
    Laboratory of Ocular Sciences, Senju Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd., Beaverton, OR
    Department of Integrative Biosciences, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR
  • Footnotes
    Commercial Relationships Atsuko Fujii, Senju Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (E); Thomas Shearer, Senju Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (F), Senju Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (C); Mitsuyoshi Azuma, Senju Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (E)
  • Footnotes
    Support None
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science June 2013, Vol.54, 3881. doi:
  • Views
  • Share
  • Tools
    • Alerts
      ×
      This feature is available to authenticated users only.
      Sign In or Create an Account ×
    • Get Citation

      Atsuko Fujii, Thomas Shearer, Mitsuyoshi Azuma; Galectin-3 Enhanced Epithelialization in Explanted Monkey Corneas with Alkali Burn. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2013;54(15):3881.

      Download citation file:


      © ARVO (1962-2015); The Authors (2016-present)

      ×
  • Supplements
Abstract

Purpose: Following an injury leading to the loss of the corneal epithelium, the remaining epithelial cells immediately attempt to close the defect. Poor healing of epithelial wounds is a major clinical problem, leading to persistent epithelial defects and ulceration. We previously showed that carbohydrate-binding protein galectin-3 (Gal-3) enhanced wound closure in explanted monkey corneas lacerated by n-heptanol. Alkali injuries of the eye often cause extensive damage to the cornea due to rapid penetration and damage to deeper ocular structures. The purpose of the present experiment was to study Gal-3 in the more severe alkali burn model, and to compare results to the n-heptanol model.

Methods: An alkali burn was created by a 60 sec application of a 7.5 mm diameter filter disc soaked in 1N sodium hydroxide onto the central cornea of enucleated monkey eyes. The corneas were then excised, incubated for various times with or without recombinant Gal-3, and stained with 1% sodium fluorescein. Corneal wound closure was quantified by digital image analysis.

Results: After an alkali burn, the corneal wound area became smaller in a time-dependent manner. Exogenous recombinant Gal-3 enhanced this wound closure to the same extent as in corneas wounded with n-heptanol. However, data suggested that the rates of healing were different in the two models.

Conclusions: Exogenous Gal-3 showed a beneficial effect on closure of wounds caused by either alkali or n-heptanol. In both cases, this may be because Gal-3 binds to ECMs such as laminin and collagen and promotes lamellipodia formation by cross-linking to α3 integrin. Although initial cytokines released from local cells may be different in our two chemical models, the results indicate that Gal-3 may be a candidate drug to enhance epithelialization in human cornea damaged by variable causes. Dr. Shearer receives a research contract and consulting fees from, and Dr. Azuma and Ms. Fujii are employees of, Senju Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

Keywords: 765 wound healing • 482 cornea: epithelium  
×
×

This PDF is available to Subscribers Only

Sign in or purchase a subscription to access this content. ×

You must be signed into an individual account to use this feature.

×