Abstract
Purpose :
To study the Elastin fibril arrangement in the DMEK Donor Graft using STORM, to elucidate the effect of temperature on Elastin arrangement.
Methods :
Six DMEK tissue donor grafts were obtained from 3 donors (paired eyes). Specular microscopy was obtained for all donor grafts. A single eye bank technician cut and processed the DMEK grafts.
Three of the donor grafts, one from each donor, were stored at cold temperature (4 degrees C) for 60 min. The remaining 3 donor grafts were stored at physiological temperature (35-37C) for 60 min.
The donor grafts were then fixed in formaldehyde. The Fastin elastin assay kit was used to identify the elastin.The STORM was used to capture images of the elastin fibril immunofluorescence distribution in the donor grafts.
Results :
The STORM images showed a more intense distribution of elastin immunofluorescence distribution in the donor grafts that were stored at physiological temperature, as compared to the donor grafts stored at cold temperature.
Conclusions :
The elastin distribution as observed by STORM immunofluorescence, is shown to change with temperature in the DMEK tissue. We had previously demonstrated an increase in DMEK scroll size width with temperature changes. Based on our study, this is likely due to elastin property changes with temperature variation.
This is a 2020 ARVO Annual Meeting abstract.