Microtubule Stabilization Protects Hypothermia-Induced Damage to the Cytoskeleton and Barrier Integrity of the Corneal Endothelial Cells.

To determine the impact of hypothermia on the barrier function of donor corneal endothelium, thereby enhancing the success of corneal transplantation. Primary cultures of porcine endothelial cells were subjected to hypothermia (15 h; 4°C). The impact on microtubule assembly, peri-junctional actomyosin ring (PAMR), and ZO-1 was assessed by immunocytochemistry with and without pretreatment with a microtubule-stabilizing agent (Epothilone B; EpoB; 100 nM) and a p38 MAP kinase inhibitor (SB-203580; 20 μM).