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1 From the Cooperative Research Centre for Eye Research and Technology, Sydney/CSIRO Division of Molecular Science, Sydney/University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia; and 2 University of North Texas Health Science Center, Department of Molecular Biology and Immunology, Fort Worth, Texas.
PURPOSE. The wound healing process in the corneal stroma involves the activation
of corneal keratocytes and the expression of associated phenotypes
(fibroblasts and myofibroblasts). One of these phenotypes, the
myofibroblasts, synthesizes 
-smooth muscle actin in order to affect
wound closure by contracting the surrounding matrix. Excessive
contraction results in the formation of unresolvable scars that are
undesirable in the corneal stroma. The authors tested the effect of
vitronectin and fibronectin on the contraction process associated with
corneal wound healing.
METHODS. Collagen gels were prepared and were exposed to different treatments
of fetal calf serum (FCS). The FCS used was either depleted of
fibronectin and vitronectin or contained a known concentration of
fibronectin, vitronectin, or both at 50 µg/ml. Contraction was
measured using image analysis and cross sections of contracted gels
were examined for -smooth muscle actin expression using laser
confocal microscopy.
RESULTS. Fibroblasts seeded in collagen gels paralleled the morphologic characteristics and cell distribution of keratocytes in unwounded cornea. Matrix contraction was dependent on the presence of fibronectin and/or vitronectin where myofibroblasts were present. The cell-mediated contraction process was maximal at 0.5 x 105 fibroblasts/ml.
CONCLUSIONS. These studies showed that vitronectin or fibronectin is required for the myofibroblast-associated contraction to occur in this in vitro model of stromal wound healing. This model system shows a distinct potential for further studies relating to the corneal wound healing process.
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