Transplantation of Human Corneal Endothelial Cells Cultured on Bio-Engineered Collagen Vitrigel in a Rabbit Model of Corneal Endothelial Dysfunction.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of transplanting bioengineered corneal endothelial grafts in a rabbit model of corneal endothelial failure.

METHODS

Human corneal endothelial cells (HCECs) were seeded on a vitrigel carrier. After Descemet's membrane was removed from the eyes of rabbits, transplantation was done with a vitrigel/HCEC graft or vitrigel alone without cells, or the eyes were left untreated. Slit lamp examinations and measurement of the central corneal thickness (CCT) were performed for 14 days postoperatively.

RESULTS

HCECs cultured on vitrigel were strongly positive for ZO-1 and Na+/K+ ATPase. On day 14, the cornea showed mild edema and the pupil margins were visible through the grafts in the vitrigel/HCEC graft group. HCECs completely covered the grafts on day 14. In contrast, there was severe corneal edema and the pupil margins were undetectable on day 14 after transplantation of the vitrigel carrier alone or no transplantation. Proliferation of host cells was not observed in these groups. On day 14, the mean CCT was significantly thinner in the vitrigel/HCEC graft group than in the other two groups (p = 0.0008).

CONCLUSIONS

Transplantation of a vitrigel/HCEC graft was effective for reducing the corneal thickness and restoring corneal transparency, suggesting the usefulness of vitrigel as a carrier for corneal endothelial cells.