Abstract
Purpose: :
The feasibility of storage of cultured human limbal epithelial cells (HLEC) in serum-free media for as much as 4 days has not been demonstrated. Eye bank storage in a closed container enables important advantages: 1) transportation to eye clinics without culture facilities; 2) quality and microbiological assessment; and 3) increased flexibility in terms of operation time.
Methods: :
2-week HLEC cultures were stored in serum-free (HEPES-MEM and Optisol GS) or serum-containing (PAA Quantum 286) media for 4 days at 23°C in a closed container. Analyses included light microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and a calcein-acetoxymethyl ester/ethidium homodimer 1 viability assay. The Mann-Whitney test was applied for statistical evaluation.
Results: :
Cultured HLEC stored in HEPES-MEM, Optisol-GS and PAA Quantum 286 for 4 days were well-preserved, attaching satisfactorily to the amniotic membranes with occasional intercellular edema. Basal layer viability of cultured HLEC prior to storage (98.1% ± 2.6%) was compared with viability after 4 days of storage in HEPES-MEM (97.3% ± 2.5%; p = 0.22), Optisol GS (91.5% ± 9.7%; p < 0.05), and PAA Quantum 286 (94.6% ± 2.5%; p < 0.01). The epithelial thickness prior to storage (29.0 µm ± 12.1 µm) was compared with the thickness after 4 days of storage in HEPES-MEM (21.2 µm ± 5.8 µm; p = 0.46), Optisol GS (15.4 µm ± 6.6 µm; p < 0.05), and PAA Quantum 286 (22.7 µm ± 16.0 µm; p = 0.32).
Conclusions: :
The present study demonstrates successful storage of cultured HLEC in serum-free HEPES-MEM for 4 days. This may increase the availability of ocular surface stem cell therapy worldwide.
Keywords: cornea: epithelium • cornea: storage • anterior segment