Effects of cytochalasins B and D and colchicine on migration of the corneal epithelium.

Rat corneas with fresh, 3 mm central epithelial abrasions were excised and allowed to heal in organ culture. At the time of initiation of culture or after 12 hr in vitro, cytochalasin B, cytochalasin D, or colchicine was added to the medium. All concentrations of cytochalasins used reversibly inhibited both initiation and continuation of epithelial cell movement; colchicine did not. This study indicates that actin filament function is necessary for epithelial cell motility whereas microtubules are not.