Heat-shock protein 70 expression in the equine cornea.

The research done investigates if the expression of Heat-shock protein 70 (HSP70) in the equine cornea is related to healing of the corneal epithelial tissue, in both normal and abnormal conditions. The findings suggest that the expression of HSP70 is increased during the re-epithelization of the normal equine cornea and might change within sterile keratopathies.

Research Objectives and Methods

• The main aim of the study was to ascertain if there’s a link between the expression of HSP70 and correct healing of the corneal epithelial tissue. This was done because HSP70 has previously been shown to assist in wound resolution in canine corneas.
• The researchers hypothesized that reduced expression of HSP70 might contribute to prolonged wound healing in equine corneas.
• To verify this, they examined both normal and pathologic equine corneas.
• The scientists used paraffin-embedded tissue from normal equine corneas and from equine therapeutic keratectomies with sterile keratopathies. These samples were subjected to standard immunohistochemistry to evaluate HSP70 expression.

Results of the Study

• Regular equine corneas displayed a baseline expression of HSP70 in the nuclei of all epithelial cells and the cytoplasm of the basal epithelium.
• HSP70 expression in cases of suspected immune-mediated keratitis was located in the cytoplasm of the basal epithelial cells and the nuclei of all epithelial cells. This was similar to the expression found in normal equine corneas.
• On the other hand, expression in indolent ulcers was reduced. There was feeble, diffuse staining noted in the cytoplasm of all epithelial cells.

Conclusion

• The results of this research suggest that the expression of HSP70 is elicited in the normal equine cornea during the re-epithelization process. This points to the idea that HSP70 helps facilitate wound healing in the corneal epithelial tissue.
• However, the expression of HSP70 might be altered in sterile keratopathies meaning conditions like immune-mediated keratitis or indolent ulcers could affect the protein’s expression and possibly, the healing process.