Abstract
Purpose:
Galectins constitute a family of widely distributed carbohydrate-binding proteins characterized by their affinity for β-galactoside-containing glycans found on many cell surface and extracellular matrix glycoprotein. In mammals, there are currently 15 members of the galectin family. There is currently intense interest in characterizing the function of galectins because so many important cellular responses such as cell adhesion, migration, immune response and angiogenesis are regulated by this class of lectins. The goal of the current study was to determine the integrated portrait of galectin network in normal and neovascularized corneas.
Methods:
Corneal neovascularization was induced by silver nitrate cautery. Briefly, a silver nitrate applicator was placed on the surface of the cornea for 5s and then corneas were rinsed extensively with PBS. One week after cauterization, corneas were harvested and subjected to Western blot analysis using a panel of anti-galectin antibodies. Specificity of antibodies was verified using various recombinant galectins.
Results:
Blood vessels were seen entering the cornea within 2 to 3 days following cauterization. Peak blood vessel density was detected around day 7. In both normal and neovascularized corneas, galectins-1, -3, -7 -8 and -9 were detected. Initial studies suggest that in neovascularized corneas, galectin-7 is markedly upregulated whereas galectin-9 is downregulated. Studies are in progress to verify these findings by QPCR and immunohistochemistry.
Conclusions:
Considering that galectins identified in the corneas are well-known for their role in immune privilege (galectins-1 and -9) and neovascularization (galectins -1, and -3), findings presented in this abstract lays foundation for studies aimed at identifying novel targets to inhibit corneal neovascularization and promote graft survival.
Keywords: 765 wound healing •
541 glycoconjugates/glycoproteins •
480 cornea: basic science