Abstract
Purpose::
To investigate the phenotypic changes in corneal epithelium and stroma by immunohistochemistry following penetrating keratoplasty on mice.
Methods::
ICR mice were used as donors and recipients for penetrating keratoplasty. Sutures were removed at 7 days after grafting. Corneal grafts were observed by slit lamp microscopy for a certain period after surgery and harvested. Immunohistochemical staining with specific antibodies for K12, K14, K19, Ki67, and vimentin was performed.
Results::
Corneal grafts were clear without signs of graft rejection. In central and peripheral corneal epithelium, K12 and K14 were expressed, and K19 was expressed in the basal layer. In the recipient-graft junction, weak expressions of K12 in the epithelium, and strong expression of vimentin in the stroma, were observed. Ki67 positive cells were observed in the basal layer adjacent to the recipient-graft junction.
Conclusions::
In the corneal epithelium, various expression pattern of keratin was presented in the process of wound healing after penetrating keratoplasty. It was suggested that the phenotype of epithelium can be influenced by the interaction with the healing corneal stroma.
Keywords: cornea: epithelium • wound healing