Figure 9.
Gene expression in corneal endothelial cells and stromal cells after endothelial injury. ZO-1 gene expression in CECs after scraping injury was significantly higher than that in CECs after DM stripping at day 3, 7, and 14 (A). Na+/K+ ATPase gene expression significantly decreased after DM stripping at day 3, 7, and 14 (B). α-SMA gene expression in CECs dramatically increased after scraping injury and DM stripping at day 3, 7, and 14. α-SMA expression was higher in CEC scraping group at day 3, while was higher in DM stripping group at day 7 and day 14 (C). α-SMA gene expression in central corneal stroma showed mild increase in CEC scraping group at day 3, 7, and 14. While there was dramatic increase in DM stripping group at day 7 and day 14 (D). (*p < 0.05; **p < 0.01; ***p < 0.001).