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.