Expression of the Chaperonin Containing T-complex Polypeptide 1 Chaperonin Subunit During Corneal Wound Healing

Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose: This study was designed to demonstrate the expression of the eta subunit of the hetero-oligomeric particle CCT (the chaperonin containing T-complex polypeptide 1 of TCP-1) in untreated corneas and corneas treated with ultraviolet radiation (UVR). The CCT chaperonin in the wound may promote the formation of myofibroblasts, a cell type that correlates highly with scarring in postnatal wound healing, by the folding of sufficient alpha-smooth muscle actin to form the stress fibers characteristic of these cells. Therefore, investigating of pattern of CCT chaperonin expression during corneal wound healing could be a helpful and interesting step in solving the problem of corneal scarring and loss of transparency. Methods: Rabbit corneas were exposed to 310 nm UVR at a dose producing photokeratitis (0.47 J/cm²). Corneal samples were harvested at various time points ranging from 1 to 5 days after treatment. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR was used to demonstrate CCT chaperonin gene expression. Results: Semi-quantitative RT-PCR for CCT chaperonin gene expression indicated an upregulated expression of CCT eta subunit over 1 to 2 day time period while corneas from untreated rabbits exhibited a lower and shorter expression. Conclusions: The eta subunit of CCT chaperonin was constitutively expressed in untreated rabbit corneas and was upregulated during corneal wound healing. This is in concordance with data on expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin, CCT chaperonin substrate. However, the possibility cannot be excluded that eta subunit has additional functions in the process of keratocyte transformation.

Keywords: cornea: basic science • wound healing • gene/expression