Changes of cytochemical markers in the conjunctival and corneal epithelium after corneal debridement.

1. The aim of this study was to determine the epithelial changes of the conjunctiva and cornea up to 7 days after corneal debridement and the changes highlighted included (1) proliferation, (2) production of growth factor, (3) changes in calcium binding protein marker, (4) production of cytokine, and (5) maturity of the regeneration corneal epithelium. 2. The cytochemical changes of the corneal and conjunctival epithelia of rabbit were analyzed up to 7 days after debridement. 3. An increase in proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was observed in the limbal epithelia 12 hr after lesion and reached a peak by 48 hr. 4. Some proliferating limbal cells also contained epidermal growth factor (EGF) beginning 24 hr after injury. The early limbal cell proliferation and the EGF production and their persistence until 7 days after lesion were likely involved with the process of regeneration. 5. Other positive markers appeared after lesion included tumor necrosis factor (TNFalpha) and calcium binding proteins S100A and S100B, which appeared mainly within the first 48 hr after lesion and then started to decline. The short appearance and the relatively small quantity of TNFalpha indicated that this cytokine was probably not very important in the repair process and its appearance might be related to the injury induced. The presence of S100A and S100B could be associated with both cell death after injury and the proliferation of new epithelium. 6. The cornea epithelium was still immature 7 days after lesion in that it still contained cytokeratin. 7. In conclusion, the critical hours of peak conjunctival and corneal changes after corneal debridement were in the first 2 days.