June 2015
Volume 56, Issue 7
Free
ARVO Annual Meeting Abstract  |   June 2015
Endothelial-Stromal Interactions in Human Eyes Exclusively Localize to the Peripheral Cornea
Author Affiliations & Notes
  • Ankit Anil Shah
    Ophthalmology, University of South Florida College of Medicine, Tampa, FL
  • Mitchell D McCartney
    Lions Eye Institute for Transplant and Research, Tampa, FL
  • David Morton
    Lions Eye Institute for Transplant and Research, Tampa, FL
  • Patrick Gore
    Lions Eye Institute for Transplant and Research, Tampa, FL
  • Edgar M Espana
    Ophthalmology, University of South Florida College of Medicine, Tampa, FL
    Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL
  • Footnotes
    Commercial Relationships Ankit Shah, None; Mitchell McCartney, None; David Morton, None; Patrick Gore, None; Edgar Espana, None
  • Footnotes
    Support None
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science June 2015, Vol.56, 4914. doi:
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      Ankit Anil Shah, Mitchell D McCartney, David Morton, Patrick Gore, Edgar M Espana; Endothelial-Stromal Interactions in Human Eyes Exclusively Localize to the Peripheral Cornea. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2015;56(7 ):4914.

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      © ARVO (1962-2015); The Authors (2016-present)

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Abstract

Purpose: Gap junction communication between endothelial cells has long been established, however its therapeutic application in clinical setting is limited. The purpose of this study was to assess the interaction of endothelial cells with adjacent cells in the central and peripheral cornea.

Methods: Sectioned corneas and corneal flat mounts from adult human eyes were used to explore endothelial - stromal interactions. F-actin was localized using phalloidin to evaluate cell processes going across Descemet’s membrane (DM). Dynamic cell - cell communications were evaluated by studying the pattern of fluorescence recovery using Calcein AM dye transfer after selective photobleaching.

Results: In adult human corneas, actin filaments crossing DM were only noted in the peripheral cornea. The pattern of fluorescence recovery, after selective photobleaching in adult human central corneas showed endothelial to endothelial cell communications. In contrast, a pattern suggestive of endothelial to endothelial and stromal to endothelial cells was observed in the peripheral cornea of the adult cornea.

Conclusions: Endothelial-stromal interactions localize to the cornea periphery in the adult eye. The existence of cells interacting with surrounding cells in the peripheral posterior cornea is suggestive of the existence of a posterior corneal niche that can potentially be targeted for endothelial repair.

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