The histological and antigenic study of acellular sclera in eyelid reconstruction

Abstract

Objective To find a method of acellular sclera preparation,investigate the histocompatibility of acellular sclera implanted in rabbit eyelid and antigenic changes between sclera and acellular sclera. Methods Acellular sclera was prepared with 2％ Triton X-100,DNase and RNase.Twenty New-Zealand white rabbits (20 right eyes) were divided into two groups randomly.Sclera and the acellular sclera were implanted the big tarsus with 3 mm X 10 mm in upper eyelid in two groups.The appearances,immunologic changes and inflammatory reaction of eyelids were observed with quantifying the immunoglobulins and complements,flow cytometry,HE stain and immunofluorescence assay in 1,4,8,and 12 weeks postoperation. Results Acelullar sclera could be successful prepared with 2％ Triton X-100.There were no statistical differences between two groups in IgG,IgA,IgM,C3,C4,CD4+T cells and CD8+T cells of blood (P ＞0.05).In the 1st week,4th week and 8th week,the average numbers of CD4+T cells and CD8+T cells in eyelid of sclera group were 25±7 and 11±4,83±27 and 28±9,69±24 and 22±7,while those of acelllar sclera group were 13±5 and 7±4,26±11 and 13±21,7±13 and 7±3 respectively.The inflammatory cells and lymphocytes in sclera were much more than those in acellular sclera. Conclusions Acellular sclera is easy to be prepared and can be used to repair the eyelid. Key words: Acellular tissue matrix; Acellular sclera; Eyelid reconstruction