[The effect of epidermal growth factor on keratocytes during healing of corneal penetrating incision].

We investigated the effect of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on keratocytes during corneal wound healing focusing on cell proliferation. A penetrating linear incision was made in the center of rabbit corneas. The corneas were then treated with eye drops of recombinant human EGF (10 micrograms/ml) or physiological saline (control) four times a day. After 1, 2, 3, and 7 days, the corneas were excised, labeled with 3H-thymidine (10 microCi/ml) at 37 degrees C for 4 hours and subjected to autoradiography. The results demonstrated increased number of keratocytes incorporating 3H-thymidine on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 7th days of healing and accelerated stromal wound healing in corneas treated with EGF compared with the controls. Thus, EGF stimulates of proliferation keratocyte and promotes corneal stromal wound healing.