purpose: to evaluate histopathological changes induced by 0.02% mitomycin-c (mmc) in rabbits corneas. methods: this study was performed on 48 corneas of 24 rabbits (dutch type, albino). under general anesthesia, lamellar keratectomy was performed and either mmc 0.02 % (mmc group) or balanced salt solution (control group) was applied to the stromal bed for one minute. sixty days later, light mic...

Computational modelling of cell motility on substrates is a formidable challenge; regulatory pathways are intertwined and forces that influence cell motion are not fully quantified. Additional challenges arise from the need to describe a moving deformable cell boundary. Here, we present a simple mathematical model coupling cell shape dynamics, treated by the phase-field approach, to a vector fi...

The lamellipod, the locomotory region of migratory cells, is shaped by the balance of protrusion and contraction. The latter is the result of myosin-generated centripetal flow of the viscoelastic actin network. Recently, quantitative flow data was obtained, yet there is no detailed theory explaining the flow in a realistic geometry. We introduce models of viscoelastic actin mechanics and myosin...

i?&bQ!k A total of 200 normal human corneas (age: 6 months 92 years) were collected among bodies intended for autopsy. Pathological comeal buttons were obtained from patients undergoing penetrating keratoplasty for keratoconus, Fuchs’ end&&xl dyamphy, postcataract endothelial dystrophy, and others. The keratocyte density was assessed using a quantitative meawem eat of the stmmal DNA-content. Th...

We have analyzed the spontaneous symmetry breaking and initiation of actin-based motility in keratocytes (fish epithelial cells). In stationary keratocytes, the actin network flow was inwards and radially symmetric. Immediately before motility initiation, the actin network flow increased at the prospective cell rear and reoriented in the perinuclear region, aligning with the prospective axis of...

The coordination of protrusion with retraction is essential for continuous cell movement. In fish keratocytes the activation of stretch-activated calcium channels, and the resulting increase in intracellular calcium, trigger release of the rear cell margin when forward movement is impeded. Although it is likely that retraction involves a calcium-dependent increase in cytoskeletal contractility,...

i?&bQ!k A total of 200 normal human corneas (age: 6 months 92 years) were collected among bodies intended for autopsy. Pathological comeal buttons were obtained from patients undergoing penetrating keratoplasty for keratoconus, Fuchs’ end&&xl dyamphy, postcataract endothelial dystrophy, and others. The keratocyte density was assessed using a quantitative meawem eat of the stmmal DNA-content. Th...