Adhesion, Migration, and Proliferation of Cultured Human Corneal Endothelial Cells by Laminin-5

Here, the authors investigate the expression of laminin-332 and its receptors by human corneal endothelial cells (HCECs) and the effect on adhesion, proliferation, and migration of cultured HCECs. Adult HCECs expressed the laminin-332 receptor a3B1 integrin, but not laminin-332 itself. Laminin-332  is expressed in the basement membrane of the corneal epithelium, but not in the corneal endothelium. Significantly more HCEC cells became adherent to recombinant laminin-332-coated dishes than to uncoated dishes in the cell adhesion assay. The proliferation of cultured HCECs was moderately promoted by laminin-332. A significantly higher percentage of wound closure was obtained with medium containing soluble laminin-332 than with the control medium in the wound-healing assay. To conclude, recombinant laminin-332 promotes adhesion, migration, and moderate proliferation of cultured HCECs. The results suggest that immature or undifferentiated HCECs express laminin-332, whereas it is suppressed during development or differentiation.