A rat model of autologous oral mucosal epithelial transplantation for corneal limbal stem cell failure.

PURPOSE: To establish an animal model of autologous oral mucosa grafting for limbal stem cell deficiency.

METHODS

The study was carried from August to October 2012. Fourteen SD rats were randomly and evenly allocated to study group A and control group B. Limbal stem cell deficiency was established by alkali burn in the right eye of each rat in both groups. Rats in group A received autologous oral mucosa strip transplantation following the chemical burn. Rats in group B did not receive surgery after the chemical burn. Topical antibiotics and dexamethasone were used in all rats. Corneal clarity, corneal fluorescein staining, oral mucosal graft survival, and complications at postoperative days 1, 3, 7, 14 were observed.

RESULTS

The oral mucosa strip graft was detached in one rat in group A. Reepithelialization was observed starting from the graft position and was completed within 14 days in the remaining 6 eyes in group A. However, persistent corneal epithelium defect was observed in all eyes in group B, among which corneal melting and perforation was observed in 2 eyes and corneal opacification with neovascularization was observed in the remaining 5 eyes.

CONCLUSION

Autologous oral mucosa strip grafting for limbal stem cell deficiency can be achieved by a rat model following chemical burn. The fate of the transplanted oral mucosal epithelial cells warrants further study.