Immunodetection of connexins and cadherins in corneal fibroblasts and myofibroblasts.

摘要: Purpose In normal cornea, stromal fibroblasts (keratocytes) interact with one another by gap junctions. After corneal wounding, the remaining stroma cells are phenotypically and myofibroblasts. For insight into respective roles of myofibroblasts in wound healing, authors have investigated molecular basis cell-cell interaction cultures Methods Using Western blot analysis immunofluorescent microscopy, determined relative expression localization junction proteins-connexins, cadherins, cadherin-associated proteins (catenins)-in cultured Results fibroblasts, protein, connexin 43, was highly expressed localized to dense maculae; cadherins were not detected contacts. Cultured showed opposite pattern: Cadherins at contacts, whereas myofibroblast 43 primarily intracellular. Myofibroblast cadherin identified a pan-cadherin antibody as molecule 135 kDa that reacted weakly an N-cadherin monoclonal antibody. addition, cytoplasmic proteins, alpha- beta-catenins, co-localized borders Conclusions The presence is consistent primary communication role junctions confluent fibroblasts. contrast, cell-cel may provide site for insertion actin filaments. A cadherin-actin association could support actin-based force generation effective closure.