EFFECT OF LECTINS ON MIGRATION OF THE CORNEAL EPITHELIUM

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  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 19  (4) , 341-349
Abstract
Rat corneas with 3 mm central corneal abrasions were organ-cultured in the presence of 4 plant lectins, concanavalin A (Con A), wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), lotus lectin and soybean agglutinin (SBA). Con A at 20 and 50 .mu.g/ml of culture medium slowed epithelial migration. WGA at 20 and 50 .mu.g/ml of medium completely inhibited migration. The effects of the Con A at 20 and 50 .mu.g concentrations and of WGA at 20 .mu.g were reversible. Lotus lectin and SBA did not effect motility at concentrations up to and including 50 .mu.g/ml of medium. The specific sugar to which SBA binds, N-acetyl-galactosamine, slowed epithelial migrations. Blocking glucose, mannose and glucosamine sugar moities of glycoproteins on the cell surface and/or basement membrane apparently inhibits epithelial cell migration during healing of corneal abrasions.