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An. R. Acad. Nac. Farm., 2009, 75 (4): 901-910

ARTÍCULO

Over-expression of P2Y2 receptor after
silencing in corneal wound healing

Aránzazu Mediero §, Almudena Crooke §, Jesús Pintor *

Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular IV.
Escuela Universitaria de Óptica. Universidad Complutense de Madrid.
§ Estos autores contribuyeron de la misma manera al trabajo.
Recibido el 15 de septiembre de 2009.

ABSTRACT

Diadenosine polyphosphates are a family of dinucleotides with

relevant properties in the eye and in other tissues. Diadenosine

polyphosphates can activate P2Y and P2X receptors present on

the ocular surface, anterior segment and retina. In the cornea, the

presence of a P2Y2, P2Y4 and P2Y6 receptor has been identified. Both
diadenosine polyphosphates and other purinergic agonists modified

corneal wound healing depending on the receptor that is activated by

these substances. To confirm the involvement of the P2Y2 receptor in
the wound healing process after the challenge with Ap4A, we have
designed siRNA against P2Y2 receptor. We have observed that P2Y2 is
localized in the most external layer of the corneal epithelium. The pre-

treatment with siRNA produced a disappearance of the receptor at 12

and 24 hours after the wound, being the location for P2Y2 restored 36
hours after the wound. We have also observed that in half of the tested

corneas, there was an increase in the P2Y2 expression after silencing
compared to control and Ap4A treated corneas, being this receptor
localized both in corneal epithelium and stroma.

Key Words: Ap4A; P2Y2; siRNA; Corneal wound healing.

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