Transplantation of in vivo Cultivated Limbal Corneal Epithelial Cells with Total Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To treat limbal stem cell deficiency, we investigated the epithelial characteristics in rabbits with total limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) after reconstruction with autologous limbal corneal epithelial cells in vivo expanded on amniotic membrane. METHODS: The right eyes of 10 rabbits were rendered total LSCD, as verified by impression cytology. In the left eyes of 10 rabbits, in vivo limbal corneal epithelial cells culture was achieved. In group A (n=4), we evaluated the characteristics of the cultured limbal corneal epithelial cells and in group B (n=6) we evaluated the characteristics of the transplanted limbal corneal epithelial cells at postoperative 1, 2, and 4 weeks. RESULTS: Successful epithelial growth was observed on amniotic membrane in all eyes of group A. Transplanted epithelial cells were well remained in five eyes of group B. The epithelial cells of group A and B were confirmed with corneal specificity by immunohistochemical staining (AK-2, AE-5). CONCLUSIONS: The corneal surface with unilateral total LSCD can be successfully reconstructed by transplantation with autologous limbal corneal epithelial cells in vivo expanded on amniotic membrane.