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Galectin-7 as a potential mediator of corneal epithelial cell migration
Zhiyi Cao1, Neveen Said, Helen K Wu
1New England Eye Center, Center for Vision Research and Department of Ophthalmology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA.
Objective:
To assess the role of a carbohydrate-binding protein, galectin-7, in reepithelialization of corneal wounds.
Methods:
Transepithelial excimer laser ablations were performed on mouse corneas, and the wounds were allowed to partially heal in vivo for 18 to 22 hours. At the end of the healing period, expression levels of galectin-7 messenger RNA and protein were analyzed using semiquantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, Western blot analysis, and immunohistochemical localization studies. To determine the effect of exogenous galectin-7 on reepithelialization of corneal wounds, corneas with 2-mm alkali burn wounds were allowed to partially heal in vitro for 20 to 24 hours in serum-free media in the presence or absence of recombinant galectin-7. At the end of the healing period, the wound areas were photographed and quantified.
Results:
Expression of galectin-7 messenger RNA and protein was markedly up-regulated in the corneal epithelium after injury. Exogenous galectin-7 stimulated reepithelialization of corneal wounds. The stimulatory effect of galectin-7 on corneal epithelial wound closure was specifically inhibited by a competing sugar, beta-lactose, but not by an irrelevant disaccharide, sucrose.
Conclusions:
Galectin-7 has the potential to mediate corneal epithelial cell migration and reepithelialization of wounds.
Clinical Relevance:
These findings have broad implications for developing novel, galectin-based, therapeutic strategies for treatment of nonhealing corneal epithelial defects.
Insights
Galectin-7, a carbohydrate-binding protein, significantly promotes corneal wound healing by enhancing epithelial cell migration. This discovery offers potential for new therapeutic strategies for nonhealing corneal defects.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Cell Biology
- Wound Healing Research
Background:
- Corneal wound reepithelialization is crucial for vision restoration.
- The role of specific proteins in this process requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the function of galectin-7 in corneal wound reepithelialization.
- To assess the therapeutic potential of galectin-7 in corneal healing.
Main Methods:
- Mouse corneal injury models (excimer laser ablation and alkali burn) were used for in vivo and in vitro studies.
- Galectin-7 expression was analyzed via RT-PCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry.
- Recombinant galectin-7 was applied to assess its effect on wound closure, with inhibition studies using beta-lactose.
Main Results:
- Galectin-7 messenger RNA and protein expression increased significantly in injured corneal epithelium.
- Exogenous galectin-7 demonstrated a stimulatory effect on corneal wound reepithelialization.
- The pro-healing effect of galectin-7 was specifically blocked by beta-lactose, confirming its carbohydrate-binding role.
Conclusions:
- Galectin-7 plays a key role in mediating corneal epithelial cell migration and promoting wound reepithelialization.
- These findings suggest galectin-7 as a promising target for developing novel therapies for persistent corneal epithelial defects.