Purpose: To characterize the extracellular matrix (ECM) formed by corneal stromal cells after injection into the vitreous. This will provide a basis for future studies on the function of corneal ECM macromolecules.

Methods: Cell line from rabbit dermal fibroblasts (RAB9) and primary cultures of rabbit corneal stroma fibroblasts (NRCF) were grown to confluence. For each cell type, approximately 1 x 10(6) cells suspended in basal medium were injected into the vitreous of normal rabbits and observed periodically with a slit lamp. After 1,2, and 4 weeks, eyes were processed for transmission electron microscopy (TEM), immunohistochemistry, immunocytochemistry, and in situ hybridization.

Results: All cells showed gradual growth within the vitreous along the needle track. Occurrence of retinal detachment and inflammation was variable. Transmission electron microscopy of NRCF confirmed the deposition of ECM reminiscent of the organization of normal fetal corneal stroma. Similar matrices were produced by RAB9. NRCF deposited collagen fibrils similar in diameter to those seen in normal developing and healing corneal stroma. RAB9 produced collagen fibrils with larger diameters. NRCF-transplanted cells synthesized proteoglycans and collagen immunologically identical to decorin proteins and type VI collagen, indicating that the expression of specific ECM is maintained after transplantation. In addition, in situ hybridization showed that type XII collagen mRNA is synthesized by transplanted NRCF similar to healing corneas.

Conclusions: Corneal stromal cells transplanted into vitreous produce a matrix morphologically and biochemically similar to that in healing corneal stroma.

Download full-text PDF

Source

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

corneal stroma
20
corneal stromal
12
stromal cells
12
healing corneal
12
extracellular matrix
8
corneal
8
transmission electron
8
electron microscopy
8
collagen fibrils
8
cells
6

Similar Publications

Article Synopsis
  • This study investigates the biological changes in rabbit corneas caused by two light-activated corneal stiffening methods: riboflavin with UVA and WST11 with NIR.
  • Differentially expressed proteins were identified following treatments, showing RF-D/UVA affected cell metabolism and keratocyte differentiation, while WST-D/NIR influenced extracellular matrix regulation.
  • The findings reveal a metabolic shift towards glycolysis in RF-D/UVA treated corneas compared to normal respiration in WST-D/NIR treated corneas, highlighting the distinct biological effects of each treatment.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

SMILE for correction of myopia in patients during the incipient phase of presbyopia.

Int Ophthalmol

January 2025

Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University Third Hospital, No 49 Huayuan North Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China.

Purpose: To evaluate clinical outcomes and visual quality 12 months after small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) for correction of myopia with or without astigmatism in patients during the incipient phase of presbyopia.

Setting: Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.

Design: Retrospective observation study.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

New insights into persistent corneal subepithelial infiltrates following epidemic keratoconjunctivitis: The first case report with ultrastructural and immunohistochemical investigations.

Acta Histochem

January 2025

Section of Anatomy and Histology, Imaging Platform, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, Florence 50134, Italy. Electronic address:

Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC) is one of the most severe clinical manifestations of human adenovirus ocular surface infection, which may lead to the formation of subepithelial infiltrates (SEIs) in the anterior corneal stroma in 20-50 % of cases. SEIs may be asymptomatic or give rise to corneal aberrations and visual impairment for months or years after acute infection, despite treatments. Here, we describe the ultrastructural and immunophenotypic features of the anterior corneal stroma of a patient who underwent superficial anterior lamellar keratoplasty (SALK) surgery to remove corneal opacities related to clinically significant and steroid-unresponsive, long-lasting SEIs after adenoviral EKC.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a surgical technique for managing post-penetrating keratoplasty (PK) ectasia complicated by late endothelial failure (LEF). : A single-center pilot case series was conducted regarding consecutive patients affected by post-PK ectasia with late graft failure. Using a microkeratome, a single donor cornea was dissected to prepare a two-piece graft, comprising a larger anterior lamella made up of anterior stroma and a smaller posterior lamella made up of posterior stroma, Descemet's membrane, and endothelium.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

In Vivo Confocal Microscopy Findings in Corneal Stromal Dystrophies.

Diagnostics (Basel)

January 2025

Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Selcuk University, Konya 42130, Türkiye.

In this study, we aim to evaluate in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) findings of corneal stromal dystrophies (CSDs) including granular, macular and lattice corneal dystrophy that can be used for differential diagnosis and monitoring recurrences after surgical interventions. : Patients diagnosed with CSD who were followed-up in the cornea and ocular surface unit were included in this study. IVCM was performed using the Heidelberg Retina Tomograph 3, Rostock Cornea Module (Heidelberg Engineering, Germany) and anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) imaging was performed using the Spectralis OCT (Heidelberg Engineering, Germany).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!