Regulation of stromal cell collagenase production in adult rabbit cornea: in vitro stimulation and inhibition by epithelial cell products.

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Abstract
Media conditioned by epithelial cells from the adult rabbit cornea were capable of stimulating and inhibiting production of latent collagenase by stromal cells from the same source. Cytochalasin B was required in this in vitro system for secretion of stimulators by epithelial cells and production of collagenase by stromal cells in response. Optimal production of stimulators occurred in low-density epithelial cell cultures. Chromatographed conditioned medium from such cultures contained 3 stimulator fractions with apparent MW of 19,000, 54,000 and .gtoreq. 90,000. High-density epithelial cell cultures secreted inhibitors of stromal cell collagenase production with apparent MW of 7000 and 19,000. Cytochalasin B was not required for production of inhibitors. Inhibitory conditioned medium blocked the effect of the 19,000-dalton and 54,000-dalton stimulator on stromal cells. Epithelial cells, depending on their density, may modulate collagen degradation in the integument.