Abstract
Purpose: :
The study was designed to evaluate efficacy of cocultured corneal and oral mucosal epithelia for reconstruction of corneal surface with limbal stem cell deficiency.
Methods: :
For this study, 6 patients with limbal stem cell deficiency in one eye were qualified. Two squere millimeter biopsy from healthy limbus of contralateral eye and from oral mucosa were taken. Epithelial cells were serarated with Trypsin-EDTA solution and placed together on amniotic membrane. Mixed corneal and oral epithelium was cultured for 2 weeks. Donor eye was prepared by gentle removal of fibrotic tissue from the cornea and covered with amniotic membrane covered by cultured mixed epithelium. Epithelial integrity was evaluated.
Results: :
For epithelial structure evaluation specimens were positively tested for presence of cytokeratis: K3, K4, K12, K14. In 4 eyes corneal surface was stabile with VA improvement (gain 2 lines). In 2 eyes reconjuctivilisation occurred with loss of oral epithelium (lack of oral mucosa cytokeratins).
Conclusions: :
Coculture of corneal and oral mucosal epithelia for corneal surface can be consider as a alternative for corneal limbal stem cell transplantation.
Keywords: cornea: epithelium • transplantation