The lectin KM+ induces corneal epithelial wound healing in rabbits

Abstract

Neutrophil influx is essential for corneal regeneration (Gan et al. 1999). KM+, a lectin from Artocarpus integrifolia, induces neutrophil migration (Santos-de-Oliveira et al. 1994). This study aims at investigating a possible effect of KM+ on corneal regeneration in rabbits. A 6.0-mm diameter area of debridement was created on the cornea of both eyes by mechanical scraping. The experimental eyes received drops of KM+ (2.5 microg/ml) every 2 h. The control eyes received buffer. The epithelial wounded areas of the lectin-treated and untreated eyes were stained with fluorescein, photographed and measured. The animals were killed 12 h (group 1, n = 5), 24 h (group 2, n = 10) and 48 h (group 3, n = 5) after the scraping. The corneas were analysed histologically (haematoxylin and eosin and immunostaining for proliferation cell nuclear antigen, p63, vascular endothelial growth factor, c-Met and laminin). No significant differences were found at the epithelial gap between treated and control eyes in the group 1. However, the number of neutrophils in the wounded area was significantly higher in treated eyes in this group. Three control and seven treated eyes were healed completely and only rare neutrophils persisted in the corneal stroma in group 2. No morphological distinction was observed between treated and control eyes in group 3. In treated corneas of group 2, there was an increase in immunostaining of factors involved in corneal healing compared to controls. Thus, topical application of KM+ may facilitate corneal epithelial wound healing in rabbits by means of a mechanism that involves increased influx of neutrophils into the wounded area induced by the lectin.

Characterization of Isoforms of the Lectin Isolated from the Red Algae Bryothamnion seaforthii and Its Pro-Healing Effect

“…Our findings demonstrate the potential pro-healing activity of the BSL, which was responsible for acceleration in the healing of skin wounds treated with this lectin. Thus, the histopathological findings showed that the lectin used in this study exerts its activity on the migration of polymorphonuclear cells to the injured site, confirming the data already published [ 11 ] that suggest that the lectin of Artocarpus integrifolia (KM+) induced a more effective healing of the corneal epithelium via a mechanism that also involves the migration of neutrophils.…”

“…The field of application of lectins in the treatment of wounds is unexplored. However, important studies have shown that these biomolecules have healing potential in the treatment of acute wounds [ 11 , 12 ].…”

Characterization of Isoforms of the Lectin Isolated from the Red Algae Bryothamnion seaforthii and Its Pro-Healing Effect

“…Our findings demonstrate the potential pro-healing activity of the BSL, which was responsible for acceleration in the healing of skin wounds treated with this lectin. Thus, the histopathological findings showed that the lectin used in this study exerts its activity on the migration of polymorphonuclear cells to the injured site, confirming the data already published [ 11 ] that suggest that the lectin of Artocarpus integrifolia (KM+) induced a more effective healing of the corneal epithelium via a mechanism that also involves the migration of neutrophils.…”

“…The field of application of lectins in the treatment of wounds is unexplored. However, important studies have shown that these biomolecules have healing potential in the treatment of acute wounds [ 11 , 12 ].…”

Topical application of the lectin Artin M accelerates wound healing in rat oral mucosa by enhancing TGF‐β and VEGF production

“…Artin M‐treated wounds presented accelerated reepithelialization, granulation tissue maturation, and a significant increase in cell proliferation, as shown by PCNA. This result is consistent with previous findings that showed the same effects of Artin M after its topical application in corneal lesions in rabbits …”

“…Healing promoted by Artin M may be related to its effect of inducing neutrophil recruitment and activation, which has been well reported in the literature, both in vitro and in vivo . The oral cavity contains more than 800 species of microorganisms in harmony as biofilms or in the planktonic form .…”

The Lectin ArtinM Induces Recruitment of Rat Mast Cells from the Bone Marrow to the Peritoneal Cavity

“…Preliminary studies in our laboratory have shown that ArtinM can stimulate mast cell proliferation at concentrations below those needed for degranulation. This fact may also explain the ability of ArtinM to act as a therapeutic agent [4] , [6] without eliciting an allergic response.…”

Characterization of Isoforms of the Lectin Isolated from the Red Algae Bryothamnion seaforthii and Its Pro-Healing Effect

“…Our findings demonstrate the potential pro-healing activity of the BSL, which was responsible for acceleration in the healing of skin wounds treated with this lectin. Thus, the histopathological findings showed that the lectin used in this study exerts its activity on the migration of polymorphonuclear cells to the injured site, confirming the data already published [ 11 ] that suggest that the lectin of Artocarpus integrifolia (KM+) induced a more effective healing of the corneal epithelium via a mechanism that also involves the migration of neutrophils.…”

“…The field of application of lectins in the treatment of wounds is unexplored. However, important studies have shown that these biomolecules have healing potential in the treatment of acute wounds [ 11 , 12 ].…”

Topical application of the lectin Artin M accelerates wound healing in rat oral mucosa by enhancing TGF‐β and VEGF production

“…Artin M‐treated wounds presented accelerated reepithelialization, granulation tissue maturation, and a significant increase in cell proliferation, as shown by PCNA. This result is consistent with previous findings that showed the same effects of Artin M after its topical application in corneal lesions in rabbits …”

“…Healing promoted by Artin M may be related to its effect of inducing neutrophil recruitment and activation, which has been well reported in the literature, both in vitro and in vivo . The oral cavity contains more than 800 species of microorganisms in harmony as biofilms or in the planktonic form .…”

The Lectin ArtinM Induces Recruitment of Rat Mast Cells from the Bone Marrow to the Peritoneal Cavity

“…Preliminary studies in our laboratory have shown that ArtinM can stimulate mast cell proliferation at concentrations below those needed for degranulation. This fact may also explain the ability of ArtinM to act as a therapeutic agent [4] , [6] without eliciting an allergic response.…”

Characterization of Isoforms of the Lectin Isolated from the Red Algae Bryothamnion seaforthii and Its Pro-Healing Effect

“…Our findings demonstrate the potential pro-healing activity of the BSL, which was responsible for acceleration in the healing of skin wounds treated with this lectin. Thus, the histopathological findings showed that the lectin used in this study exerts its activity on the migration of polymorphonuclear cells to the injured site, confirming the data already published [ 11 ] that suggest that the lectin of Artocarpus integrifolia (KM+) induced a more effective healing of the corneal epithelium via a mechanism that also involves the migration of neutrophils.…”

“…The field of application of lectins in the treatment of wounds is unexplored. However, important studies have shown that these biomolecules have healing potential in the treatment of acute wounds [ 11 , 12 ].…”

Topical application of the lectin Artin M accelerates wound healing in rat oral mucosa by enhancing TGF‐β and VEGF production

“…Artin M‐treated wounds presented accelerated reepithelialization, granulation tissue maturation, and a significant increase in cell proliferation, as shown by PCNA. This result is consistent with previous findings that showed the same effects of Artin M after its topical application in corneal lesions in rabbits …”

“…Healing promoted by Artin M may be related to its effect of inducing neutrophil recruitment and activation, which has been well reported in the literature, both in vitro and in vivo . The oral cavity contains more than 800 species of microorganisms in harmony as biofilms or in the planktonic form .…”

The Lectin ArtinM Induces Recruitment of Rat Mast Cells from the Bone Marrow to the Peritoneal Cavity

“…Preliminary studies in our laboratory have shown that ArtinM can stimulate mast cell proliferation at concentrations below those needed for degranulation. This fact may also explain the ability of ArtinM to act as a therapeutic agent [4] , [6] without eliciting an allergic response.…”