Minimal Requirement of Limbal Epithelium for Successful Limbal Cell Transplantation in Rabbit Corneas.
- Author:
Yoo Ri YANG
1
;
Nam Young CHOI
;
Jin Hyung KIM
;
Man Soo KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul Veterans Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Corneal epithelial stem cell;
Limbal cell transplantation
- MeSH:
Amnion;
Autografts;
Cell Transplantation*;
Connexin 43;
Cornea*;
Epithelium*;
Epithelium, Corneal;
Humans;
Immunohistochemistry;
Rabbits;
Stem Cell Niche;
Stem Cell Transplantation;
Stem Cells;
Tissue Donors;
Transcription Factors;
Transplants*
- From:Journal of the Korean Ophthalmological Society
2006;47(4):613-620
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: To investigate the minimal requirements of the limbal epithelium for successful limbal stem cell transplantation and the healing process. METHODS: Nine rabbits were divided into 4, 6, and 8 clock-hour transplantation groups. Limbal autografts from the healthy fellow eye were transplanted to the iatrogenic damaged eye. The amniotic membrane served as a stem cell niche. Experimental corneas were evaluated by slit lamp examination and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: In the over 9 hours transplantation group, the healing process of the epithelium from the limbal stem cell was revealed and cornea-specific keratin k3, transcription factor p63, and connexin 43 were detected by immunohistochemistry. The normal corneal epithelium was regenerated after 60 days postoperatively in the fellow donor eye. CONCLUSIONS: Limbal cell transplantation of over 9 hours seems to be a safe and effective method in the treatment of severe ocular surface disorders. In addition, the donation of limbal epithelium for up to 8 hours did not affect the normal corneal regenerating capability.
