ENZYME-HISTOCHEMISTRY OF CORNEAL WOUND-HEALING

The usefulness of enzyme histochemical methods for the localization of enzymes as catalysts of molecular interactions in the cells and tissu es of healing corneal wounds is shown in rabbits. The current data on corneal wound healing in humans as well as in rabbits with particular reference to serine proteases are reviewed. Some inflammatory mediator s are also discussed. Plasmin is a serine protease which is absent (or present only in very low concentration) in the tear fluid, and its ac tivity appears under various pathological conditions in humans or foll owing experimental injuries in rabbits. The role of increasing pIasmin activity in the tear fluid in the depending upon the severity of corn eal injury is evaluated. Great attention is devoted to conditions lead ing to long-lasting elevated levels of plasmin activity in the tear fl uid correlated with corneal ulceration. The differences between the hi stochemical pattern of untreated corneas or corneas treated with some serine protease inhibitors are shown, and the efficacy of these drugs is discussed in light of present knowledge.