Immunolocalization and Dynamic Expression of Albumin Precursor and Hsp70 in Wound Healing of Corneal Epithelial Cells

To examine the role of albumin precursor and hsp70 proteins in corneal epithelial wound healing, we analyzed the expressions of these proteins by 2-DE and ESIQ-TOF MS/MS to compare the changes in the proteome of migrating and nonmigrating corneal epithelia. Of the many differentially expressed proteins between the two groups up-regulated expression of the 200 kD protein with two peptide, 69 kD albumin precursor protein with four peptides sequences and 70 kD hsp70 with one peptide was revealed as reported previously for the first time in the active phase of migration (48 hours). In addition, western blot analysis demonstrated the identity and expression of these proteins at different phases (24, 48 and 72 hours) of healing. The heavily expressed amplified products of 739, 215 and 164 bp products, of KIAA, albumin precursor and hsp70 respectively at 48 hours in migrating compared to non-migrating epithelia also substantiate the above findings. Immunofluorescent staining was used to detect albumin precursor and hsp70 proteins in corneal epithelium at various time intervals after an epithelial defect.