Effect of fibronectin on corneal epithelial wound healing in the vitamin A-deficient rat.

The authors investigated the in vitro and in vivo effects of fibronectin (Fn) on the migration of corneal epithelium of vitamin A-deficient (A-) and pair-fed control (A+) rats. Groups treated with 50 micrograms/ml Fn showed accelerated healing of epithelium in vitro (P less than 0.05) compared with control groups of A- and A+ rats. However, when 100 micrograms/ml Fn eye drops were administered 14 times over 20 hr, they had no significant effect on A+ rats in vivo, but increased the healing in A- rats (P less than 0.05). In this model, Fn promoted the healing of corneal epithelium under A- conditions where decreased endogenous Fn is seen, whereas A+ corneas in vivo, which have sufficient Fn over the wound surface, did not benefit from topical Fn administration.