Abstract
Purpose::
To evaluate the involvement of tumor necrosis factor-alpha converting enzyme (TACE, ADAM17) in corneal wound healing.
Methods::
We employed alkali burn and epithelial scraping model to evaluate TACE expression in mice cornea. An alkali burn was created with 1N NaOH in the cornea of BALB/c mice under general anesthesia. For epithelial scraping, central cornea of BALB/c mice was marked by 1.5 mm diameter trephine and the epithelium was removed by using surgical blade under general anesthesia. The eyes were processed for immunohistochemical analysis using anti-TACE antibody. In addition, the expression of TNF receptor 1(TNFR1), which is shed by TACE, was evaluated using anti-TNFR1 antibody.
Results::
TACE expression was not detected in untreated mice cornea. In epithelial scraped eye, TACE was detected in infiltrating cells which were present in superficial stroma 3 days after the surgery. After the alkali burn, TACE was detected in infiltrating cells which infiltrate all layers of the stroma. TNFR1 expression was detected only in alkali burned cornea.
Conclusions::
TACE expression was up-regulated during corneal wound healing. The presence of TACE and TNFR1 after the alkali burn may indicate the physiological role of TACE and TNFR1 in corneal wound healing.
Keywords: wound healing • cornea: stroma and keratocytes • cornea: basic science