Lectin binding to cell surfaces: comparisons between normal and migrating corneal epithelium

Area of Science:

• Cell Biology
• Epithelial Biology
• Wound Healing

Background:

• Cell surface glycoproteins play crucial roles in cell-cell interactions and tissue dynamics.
• Understanding changes in cell surface characteristics during epithelial migration is vital for comprehending wound healing processes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate and compare the cell surface lectin-binding characteristics of normal and migrating rat corneal epithelium.
• To identify differences in concanavalin A (Con A) and wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) binding patterns between normal and migrating epithelial cells.

Main Methods:

• Utilized three methods to monitor lectin binding: ferritin-conjugated Con A and WGA, [3H]Con A binding, and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-conjugated Con A and WGA.
• Localized and quantified lectin binding to cell surfaces of normal stratified and migrating corneal epithelium.

Main Results:

• Apical cell membranes of migrating epithelia exhibited higher Con A and WGA binding compared to superficial cells of normal epithelia.
• Migrating epithelial cells showed intense fluorescence with FITC-Con A and FITC-WGA, unlike normal epithelia where FITC-WGA binding was restricted to basal layers.
• These findings indicate distinct apical cell surface sugar profiles in migrating versus normal corneal epithelium.

Conclusions:

• Apical cell surface sugars on migrating corneal epithelium differ significantly from those of normal epithelium.
• The lectin-binding profile of migrating cells resembles that of basal cells in normal stratified epithelium.
• This suggests that the leading edge of migrating epithelium may originate from basal cells or undergo surface glycoprotein alterations during migration.