Expression of Laminin with Amniotic Membrane Transplantation in Corneal Epithelial Wound Healing following Excimer Laser Keratectomy in Rats

Lee, Yong Ju; Lee, Hyung Keun; Kim, Eung Kweon; Seo, Kyoung Yul; Seong, Gong Je

Abstract

PURPOSE
To evaluate the effect of an amniotic membrane transplantation for a corneal epithelial defect that's due to a excimer laser in rats, and the expression of laminin-5 during cornea reepithelization as compared with a control group. METHODS: 40 rats were divided into two groups, the experimental and control groups of 20 rats each. They received a excimer laser on one eye each and a tarsorrhaphy afterward. Preserved human amniotic membranes were transplanted onto the eyes of the experimental group. Immediately after the excimer laser, (at periods of 12, 18, 24, 48, 96 hours after the excimer laser), the effected eyes were enucleated and a immunohistochemical and indirect immunofluorescein analysis was performed. RESULTS: 12 hours after experiment, the expression of laminin-5 and 2 chains became definite and expression of laminin-5 was also observed in the control group. Expression of the 1 chains were of the same intensity as in the experimental group and in the control group. 24 hours after experiment, a complete corneal reepithelization was observed in all eyes and there was no difference in the expression of laminin between the experimental and control groups. CONCLUSIONS: Expression of laminin can definitely be observed early on the corneas of rats that have received a aminiotic membrane transplantation after an exposure to a excimer laser, and this expression continued until there was completion of the reepithelization. In the future, the studies about the mechanism of this expression of laminin need to be done.