Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: To elucidate the role of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), an inflammatory cytokine, in the wound healing of mouse corneal epithelium. Methods: 1. 2 mm in diameter round epithelial abrasion was made in ICR mice of 7 weeks old and wound healing of epithelium was observed at 6, 12, 18, 24, 30 and 48 hours after wounding. An area of epithelial defect was measured by the digital microscope. The following three groups of mice were made; group A: mice who received anti-mouse MIF antibody eye drop 5 times/day, group B : mice who received anti-mouse MIF antibody systemic administration at -24, 0, +24 hours, group C : mice of non-treatment. 2. 2 mm in diameter epithelial abrasion was made in MIF knockout Balb/c mice and conventional Balb/c mice of 7 weeks old. Wound healing was observed at every six hours after wounding. Results: 1. In ICR mice, mice of group A showed the delay of epithelial wound healing significantly compared with those of group C. Mice of group B resulted in the delay of wound healing significantlly only at 24 hours after wounding, compared with those of group C. All the mice completed wound healing within 48 hours after wounding. 2. In MIF knockout Balb/c mice the epithelial wound healing was significantlly delayed at any observed period compared with those of conventional Balb/c mice. In all the mice experimented wound healing finished in 48 hours after wounding. Conclusion: The above findings indicate that MIF may play a role in wound healing of corneal epithelium in mice.
Keywords: 372 cornea: epithelium • 380 cytokines/chemokines • 631 wound healing