Corneal keratocytes: in situ and in vitro organization of cytoskeletal contractile proteins.

Abstract

This study demonstrates that there are major structural differences in the organization of contractile cytoskeletal proteins between normal, quiescent (in situ), and activated (in vitro) keratocytes. In situ, contractile proteins appear to be associated with the cortical f-actin network, probably related to maintenance of cell shape and interconnectivity. Alternatively, activated keratocytes were characterized by the presence of a putative contractile apparatus comprised of f-actin, myosin, and alpha-actinin organized into sarcomeric, muscle-like bundles (stress fibers) associated with focal contacts containing alpha 5 beta 1 integrin. These data suggest that activation of keratocytes, i.e. myofibroblast transformation, must involve the reorganization of cytoplasmic contractile proteins as well as the expression of alpha 5 beta 1 integrin and the formation of focal contacts.