Corneal wound healing: Immunohistological features of extracellular matrixfollowing penetrating keratoplasty in rabbits

Purpose: To study the distribution and the constituents of the extracellula r matrix in the cornea during wound healing following penetrating keratopla sty (PKP). Methods: Penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) was performed on albino rabbit eyes , and immunohistochemical techniques were used to determine the distributio n of types I, III. IV collagens, large proteoglycans, chondroitin 6-sulfate , chondroitin l-sulfate, and vimentin. The expression of these substances w as determined at postoperative times of 3 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month, a nd 3 months. Results: By day 3, staining for type TV collagen was observed along the hos t-graft junction. By day 7, staining for type III collagen, large proteogly cans, and chondroitin 6-sulfate had increased in the repair region but then decreased with increasing postoperative times. Epithelial wound healing re quired more than one month, whereas the remodeling of Descemet's membrane d id not terminate until 3 months after PKP. Conclusion: These results suggest that type III collagen, large proteoglyca ns, and chondroitin 6-sulfate probably play important roles in corneal woun d healing after PKP. (C) 2000 Japanese Ophthalmological Society.