[Expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen following filtration surgery in rabbits]

We evaluated cell replication in wound healing following experimental filtration surgery. Cell replication was measured via immunohistochemistry for proliferating cell nuclear antigen, which is a marker of cell proliferation. Trabeculectomy was performed on albino rabbit eyes, with the filtering site harvested on postoperative days 1, 4, 7, and 14. Samples were fixed with 10% buffered formalin and prepared for paraffin section, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen was detected in filtering site tissue using the labeled streptavidin-biotin method. The number of immunoreactive cells increased at days 4 to 7 and was markedly decreased at day 14; the filtering site was obstructed at days 7 to 14. These findings may have clinical implications for the administration of antiproliferative agents after filtration surgery. Evaluation of cell replication following filtration surgery by detecting proliferating cell nuclear antigen is a simpler technique than autoradiography.