Purpose: We investigated the effects of human platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) isomers on the migration of rabbit corneal fibroblasts and epithelial cells in the presence or absence of fibronectin (FN).
Methods: A modified Boyden's chamber method was used to detect cell migration. Cells placed in the inner chamber were incubated with PDGF in the outer chamber at 37 degrees C at 24 h. In addition, epithelial cells were incubated in the presence or absence of FN. The migrated cells were stained and the cell number counted under a microscope. Checkerboard analysis was used to distinguish chemotaxis from chemokinesis.
Results: Natural PDGF and PDGF-BB enhanced the migration of corneal fibroblasts, whereas PDGF-AA did not. As for corneal epithelial cells, all the isomers of PDGF enhanced the migration, but only in the presence of FN, as in the absence of FN or at a low concentration gradient of FN, there was no enhanced cell migration. A checkerboard assay demonstrated that PDGF-BB had a chemotactic effect on the migration of corneal fibroblasts and epithelial cells, whereas PDGF-AA had a chemotactic effect on only corneal epithelial cells.
Conclusion: These results suggest that PDGF is involved in corneal wound healing by stimulating the migration of corneal epithelial cells in the presence of FN and fibroblasts.