Microfilaments in regenerating cells of rabbit cornea: Immunological and ultrastructural observations.

The role of myosin-like protein in regenerating and proliferating corneal c ells following a standard alkali-injury in the rabbit eye has been studied. Microfilaments were observed by conventional transmission electron microsc opy (T.E.M.) in injured epithelium and in fibroblasts. Typical microfilamen t bundles with electron dense structures and with stress fibers were eviden t. The presence of myosin-like proteins wets demonstrated by means of immun ochemical and autoradiographical techniques. Both epithelial cells and fibr oblasts bind antimyosin-like antibodies (AMA). The same cells studied with the E.M. showed bundles of microfilaments in the cortical areas of their cy toplasm in correspondence with the same side of fluorescent or labelled AMA . The immunochemical and ultrastructural results suggest that both cells ar e able to produce in vivo movements involved in morphogenetic phenomena. Th erefore, these structures play a role in post-traumatic corneal regeneratio n.