The Effect of the Corneal Epithelium on the Keratocyte Apoptosis.
- Author:
Tae Soo LEE
1
;
Jong Woog HONG
;
Joong Bin AHN
Author Information
1. Department of Ophthalmology Korea University College of Medicine, Korea.
- Publication Type:In Vitro ; Original Article
- Keywords:
Apoptosis;
Atlas array;
LASIK
- MeSH:
Apoptosis*;
Epithelium;
Epithelium, Corneal*;
Fibroblasts;
Gene Expression;
GTP-Binding Proteins;
Humans;
In Situ Nick-End Labeling;
Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ;
Protein Kinases;
Rabbits;
Stromal Cells;
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
- From:Journal of the Korean Ophthalmological Society
2003;44(10):2342-2352
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: Keratomileusis was performed in rabbits to investigate the effects of corneal epithelium on the corneal stromal keratocyte apoptosis and the effect of human IL-1alpha and TNFalpha on apoptotic genes in human corneal stromal cells was evaluated. METHODS: Fifty six New Zealand white rabbits underwent corneal flap procedure and corneal epithelium was inserted between the corneal flap and underlying stroma. Keratocyte apoptosis was detected with the TUNEL assay. Gene array technique was used to evaluate changes in apoptosis gene in human stromal fibroblasts in response to human recombinant IL-1alpha and TNFalpha in vitro. RESULTS: Keratocyte apoptosis was significantly greater in group for flap with insertion of peripheral epithelium at 4 hours after surgery(p=0.0249). IL-1alpha or TNFalpha regulated the expression of several genes (insulin like growth factor, stress activated protein kinase, GTP binding protein, IGFBP4) up and down in human stromal fibroblasts in culture. CONCLUSIONS: We think that the differences in the stromal cell apoptosis after keratomileusis were due to stromal cell response to various factors of inserted corneal epithelium. We found various new apoptosis gene expression in cultured human keratocytes mediated by IL-1alpha and TNFalpha that were secreted in corneal epithelium. These genes likely trigger the apoptosis of keratocyte following epithelial insertion associated with corneal surgery.
