Collagen XVIII and corneal reinnervation following keratectomy

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Authors: Tohru Sakimoto ; Tae-im Kim ; David Ellenberg ; Naomi Fukai ; Sandeep Jain ; Dimitri T. Azar ; Jin-Hong Chang

MeSH: Animals ; Collagen Type IV/genetics ; Collagen Type IV/physiology ; Collagen Type XVIII/genetics ; Collagen Type XVIII/physiology* ; Cornea/innervation* ; Cornea/physiology ; Corneal Injuries* ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Mutant Strains ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Nerve Regeneration*/genetics ; Neurites/metabolism ; Neurites/physiology ; Peripheral Nerves/metabolism ; Peripheral Nerves/physiology* ; Peripheral Nerves/ultrastructure ; Wound Healing*/genetics

Abstract: The significance of collagen XVIII in the regulation of corneal reinnervation remains largely unknown. We used whole-mount immunoconfocal microscopy to localize collagen XVIII to the nerve basement membrane of wild-type (WT) mouse corneas. Transmission electron microscopy showed corneal nerve disorganization in collagen XVIII knockout mice (col18a1(-/-)). Antibody 2H3-specific neurofilament colocalized with collagens XVIII and IV and laminin-2 in WT mouse corneas, but did not colocalize with collagen IV and laminin-2 in col18a1(-/-) mouse corneas. Following keratectomy, col18a1(-/-) mice displayed decreased corneal neurite extension compared to WT mice. Our data indicate that collagen XVIII may play an important role in corneal reinnervation after wounding.