Effect of vitronectin on the healing of rabbit corneal epithelial damage
Kabata, T.; Ishibashi, Y.; Honmura, S.; Akama, T.; Yatohgo, T.; Kono, I.; Kashiwagi, H.; Izumi, M.; Hayashi, M.
Nippon Ganka Gakkai Zasshi 94(5): 457-461
1990
ISSN/ISBN: 0029-0203 PMID: 1699396 Document Number: 365280
Vitronectin is one of the major cell-adhesive glycoproteins in mammalian plasma. We investigated the effect of topically applied vitronectin on the healing of rabbit corneal epithelial damage. Vitronectin was purified from rabbit serum by heparin-Sepharose affinity chromatography and autoclaved at 121.degree.C for 20 min after adjusting the concentration to 0.2 mg/ml with saline. Rabbit corneal epithelium was abraded with ethanol and a laser blade in the central portion of the cornea which had been demarcated with a 6.5 mm trephine. Vitronection eye drops were instilled into the right eye, and sterile saline dops into the left eye as control. The dimensions of the circular epithelial defect were measured at various times after wounding. The area of epithelial damage of vitronectin-treated eyes was smaller than that of control eyes at 2 hr .apprx. 12 hr after abrasion (p < 0.01). These results suggested that topically applied vitronectin might accelerate the corneal epithelial wound healing at an early stage. Vitronectin can be considered as a candidate for treatment of corneal epithelial damage.