Influence of colchicine on the healing of corneal endothelium

The healing of a corneal endothelial defect involves cell division and cell migration. Microtubuli form the spindle-fibers and parts of the cytoskeleton, and may therefore play a role in these cellular processes. In the present study colchicine is used in tissue culture to inhibit the assembly of microtubuli. Colchicine causes not only an arresting effect on cell division in the metaphase, but also an inhibitory effect on the cell migration. This latter effect is demonstrated by the radially directed, spindle-shaped cells seen in the repair zone of the control corneas being replaced by flat rounded cells. In this respect, in the presence of colchicine, the corneal endothelial cells behave like fibroblasts and not like epithelial cells.