ACTIN-FILAMENTS IN NORMAL AND MIGRATING CORNEAL EPITHELIAL-CELLS

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  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 16  (2) , 161-166
Abstract
The distribution of actin filaments in the cytoplasm of normal and migrating rat corneal epithelium was studied by EM with in situ labeling with myosin subfragment-1. In normal epithelium, actin filaments were present as an apical network under microplicae of superficial cell layers. This apical actin network was possibly a cytoskeleton responsible for maintenance of the regular array of microplicae. A dramatic difference in distribution of actin filaments was noted between the normal cells and cells migrating to cover an abrasion. In migrating epithelial cells, actin filaments were concentrated in basal regions of the cells. They were present as bundles of parallel filaments near the basal plasmalemma and in networks of filaments in leading edges and cell processes. These basally located actin filaments may play a role in migration of the cells during wound healing.