Adherence of Acanthamoeba Lugdunensis on the Corneal Epithelium in Organ Cultured Human Cornea: A Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscopy Study.
- Author:
Sung Mi KIM
1
;
Tae Won HAHN
Author Information
1. Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, St. Vincent Hospital, The Catholic University.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Acanthamoeba lugdunensis;
Organ culture;
Corneal epithelium
- MeSH:
Acanthamoeba*;
Agar;
Amoeba;
Cornea*;
Cytoplasm;
Epithelial Cells;
Epithelium, Corneal*;
Eye Banks;
Humans*;
Intercellular Junctions;
Microscopy, Electron, Scanning;
Microscopy, Electron, Transmission*;
Organ Culture Techniques;
Pseudopodia;
Trophozoites
- From:Journal of the Korean Ophthalmological Society
1999;40(5):1195-1201
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to investigate the ability of Acanthamoeba to adhere to the epithelial cells of human cornea. Human corneas, obtained through the eye bank of Catholic Medical Center, were cultured in Optisol solution at 37degreesC. Trophozoites of Acanthamoeba lugdunensis cultured on non-nutrient agar plate were collected to make a suspension in concentration of 1x106/ml. 100microliter of amoeba suspension was added to the epithelial surface of cultured human corneas and each cornea was incubated for 12 hours. Each cornea was examined with scanning and transmission electron microscope. On scanning electron microscopy, trophozoites adhered to each other and to the corneal epithelium, especially to intercellular junction by their extended lobopodia at 12 hour-incubation. On transmission electron microscopy, trophozoites showed limited regions of attachment to the corneal epithelium at 12 hour-incubation, and the attached areas showed desmosome-like structure. Trophozoites adhered to each other by cytoplasmic interdigitation. In conclusion, trophozoites adhere to the corneal epithelial surface by their cytoplasmic processes and their processes appeared to have affinity to intercellular junctions of the corneal epithelium. Attachment regions between corneal epithelium and amoeba were characterized as desmosomelike junctions.
