IMMUNOELECTRON MICROSCOPY OF E-CADHERIN IN THE INTACT AND WOUNDED MOUSE CORNEAL EPITHELIUM

Localization of E-cadherin in the intact and wounded mouse corneal epithelium was examined by immunoelectron microscopy of ultrathin frozen sections. In the intact epithelium, immunogold particles for E-cadherin were found predominantly adjacent to desmosomes and gap junctions and hardly in the nonjunctional plasma membrane. Six hr after artificial wounding, a majority of the labeling became independent of the junctions; immunogolds were seen on both sides of the widened intercellular space or bridging between the facing plasma membrane. The present results indicate that E-cadherin mediates cell-cell contact in conjunction with desmosomes and gap junctions in the normal epithelium; dissociation of E-cadherin from the junctions may be necessary for their loosening and cell migration in the injured epithelium.