Phasic Changes in Cell Proliferation in an Autogenous Vein Graft used to Repair the Lacrimal Canaliculus in a Rabbit Model

Abstract

There are few reports that describe the physiological changes in a vein graft used to reconstruct lacrimal canaliculus. This article aims to observe the phasic changes in cell proliferation in an autogenous vein graft used to repair the lacrimal canaliculus. Lacrimal canaliculus disjunction was made in a rabbit model by transecting one side of the lacrimal canaliculus. The injury was repaired using an autogenous ear vein graft. Phasic changes in cell proliferation were observed using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry for the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen in the grafted vein segment. At 3 days postoperative, cell proliferation in the grafted vein segment became active, peaking at 7 days postoperative. Cell proliferation became stable in the epithelium, but remained active in the subepithelial connective tissue at 28 days postoperative. The phasic changes in cell proliferation in the autogenous vein graft were consistent with a normal wound healing response.