Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: To develop a model of selective limbal stem cell deficiency to study the regeneration of cornea epithelial cells from different quandrants of the limbal area. Methods: Six groups of C57BL/6 mice (2 mice in each group) were used to generate limbal stem cell deficiency using a modified corneal brush debridment: no limbal debridement, 30 degrees nasally, 30 degrees temporal, 180 degrees nasal, 180 degrees temporal, and 360 limbal debridement. Clinical scoring for corneal clarity and neovascularization was performed and epithelium re–growth rates were scored and measured using digital image measurements on days 0, 1, 3, 5, 7 and 14. Mice were enucleated on day 14 to perform H&E and K12 staining. Results: Mice with only epithelial defects had rapid wound healing rates, transparent corneas and no neovascularization. Mice with scraping of the limbus in 360 degrees developed conjunctivalization of the cornea along with neovascularization. Mice with 30 degrees limbal debridement showed no signs of corneal vascularization while some mice with 180 degrees limbal debridement developed vascularization between the first and second week after debridement. Groups with nasal limbal debridement had a tendency to show faster epithelial wound healing times compared to temporal debridement. Conclusions:A selective murine limbal deficiency model can be created utilizing a modified corneal brush. Results showed a tendency for faster temporal epithelial wound healing over nasal epithelial wound healing. This model and findings may prove useful in the study of limbal transplantation used in the treatment of ocular surface diseases.
Keywords: cornea: epithelium • cornea: basic science