Corneal Endothelial Cell Characteristics Research Articles

Primary cell culture of canine corneal endothelial cells.

To establish a primary cell culture and clarify the characteristics of canine corneal endothelial cells in vitro. The eyes were enucleated from dogs that were euthanized for reasons unrelated to this study. Enucleated canine eyes were dissected, and the intact corneas were isolated from the globes. Using enzymes, the corneal endothelial cells were dispersed from the cornea. The obtained canine corneal endothelial cells were cultured in a cell culture dish. Cultured corneal endothelial cells were morphologically evaluated using phase-contrast microscopy. Immunohistochemical analysis of the cultured cells, particularly of the corneal endothelial cell marker, zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), Na+ /K+ -ATPase, and vimentin, was performed to clarify whether the cultured cells were actually corneal endothelial cells. Furthermore, the post-passage morphology of cultured cells was evaluated. Canine primary cultured corneal endothelial cells showed morphologically small, cobblestone-like structures. The isolated cells had proliferative ability in vitro and demonstrated positive expression of the corneal endothelial cell markers, ZO-1, Na+ /K+ -ATPase, and vimentin. However, repeated passages resulted in larger cell sizes as assessed by phase-contrast microscopy. Repeated passages also resulted in lower cell density. This study demonstrated the successful culture of canine corneal endothelial cells. This might enhance the understanding of corneal endothelial cell characteristics in dogs.

Transplantation of iPSC-derived corneal endothelial substitutes in a monkey corneal edema model

ObjectiveIn order to provide regenerative therapy for millions of patients suffering from corneal blindness globally, we derived corneal endothelial cell substitute (CECSi) cells from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to treat corneal edema due to endothelial dysfunction (bullous keratopathy). Methods and resultsWe developed an efficient xeno-free protocol to produce CECSi cells from both research grade (Ff-MH09s01 and Ff-I01s04) and clinical grade (QHJI01s04) iPSCs. CECSi cells formed a hexagonal confluent monolayer with Na, K-ATPase alpha 1 subunit expression (ATP1A1), tight junctions, N-cadherin adherence junction formation, and nuclear PITX2 expression, which are all characteristics of corneal endothelial cells. CECSi cells can be cryopreserved, and thawed CECSi cell suspensions also expressed N-cadherin and ATP1A1. Residual undifferentiated iPSCs in QHJI01s04-derived CECSi cells was below 0.01%. Frozen stocks of Ff-I01s04- and QHJI01s04-derived CECSi cells were transported, thawed and transplanted into a monkey corneal edema model. CECSi-transplanted eyes significantly reduced corneal edema compared to control group. ConclusionOur results show a promising approach to provide bullous keratopathy patients with an iPS-cell-based cell therapy to recover useful vision.

Corneal endothelial cell characteristics and central corneal thickness in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Purpose: To evaluate the morphological features of corneal endothelium and central corneal thickness (CCT) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and to correlate them with the duration of diabetes and patients glycemic status. Design: This was a prospective, cross-sectional, comparative, hospital-based study. Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted on 192 diabetics and 192 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Corneal endothelial cell characteristics, CCT were measured using a specular microscope. Statistical comparisons were done between the case and controls using the appropriate parametric or nonparametric test. The associations between the various parameters were studied using the Pearson coefficient of correlation. Results: The mean corneal endothelial cell density (CECD) in the diabetic group (2521.3 ± 300.7 cells/mm2) was significantly lower compared to the nondiabetic group (2629.3 ± 221 cells/mm2) ( P 10 years when compared with those with a duration of <10 years was observed. Conclusion: Diabetic patients in our study had thicker corneas, decreased CECD, and hexagonality, more irregular cell size than that of age matched controls. However, duration of the disease and the glycemic control did not affect these parameters.

The findings of corneal specular microscopy in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus

BackgroundWe aimed to compare the morphological characteristics of corneal endothelial cells in type 2 diabetic patients and age-matched healthy subjects by specular microscopy.We also aimed to determine the association of corneal morphological features with the general characteristics and laboratory data of diabetic patients, including disease duration, haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels and urine albumin creatinine ratio.MethodsA total of 195 diabetic patients and 100 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. All participants underwent a complete ophthalmological examination. Corneal endothelial measurements were performed using a noncontact specular microscopy. Laboratory data including serum fasting glucose, haemoglobin A1c levels, creatinine levels, and the urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio were recorded. Diabetic patients were further subdivided into 3 groups according to the presence and stage of diabetic retinopathy. Specular microscopy findings and central corneal thickness of all patients were compared.ResultsThe ECD and hexagonal cell ratio were significantly lower, while the average cell size, CV%, and central corneal thickness were determined to be significantly higher in diabetic patients than in healthy controls (p = 0.001). With the presence and advancement of diabetic retinopathy, the ECD and hexagonal cell ratio decreased, while the average cell size, CV%, and central corneal thickness increased. When correlation analysis was performed between corneal morphological features and laboratory data of diabetic patients, ECD showed a significant negative correlation with diabetes duration (p = 0.028). HbA1c levels, urinary albumin-creatinine ratio (p = 0.041), average cell size and CV showed a positive correlation with these parameters.ConclusionIn conclusion, keratopathy is an important complication of type 2 diabetes. With an increase in the stage of diabetic retinopathy, alterations in corneal findings also increased. In that respect, we can suggest that keratopathy should be evaluated more cautiously in diabetic patients.

The Effect of Diabetes Mellitus on Corneal Endothelial Cells and Central Corneal Thickness: A Case-Control Study

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of corneal endothelial cells and central corneal thickness (CCT) in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), comparing them with those of healthy subjects (controls) and to determine potential factors affecting the corneal parameters in patients with DM. Methods: Participants in this study were 72 patients with DM and 88 healthy controls. Diabetic patients were further classified into groups depending on the severity of diabetic retinopathy (no retinopathy, mild, moderate, severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy, and proliferative diabetic retinopathy). All participants underwent non-contact specular microscopy to evaluate corneal endothelium parameters and CCT, while factors affecting endothelial cell density and CCT in patients with DM were also analyzed. Results: Patients with DM presented significantly decreased endothelial cell density compared to controls (2,297.9 ± 311.3 and 2,518.3 ± 243.7 cells/mm², respectively; p < 0.001), while the two groups did not differ significantly in any other measured corneal parameter. In the diabetic group, the multivariate analysis showed a significant association between decreased endothelial cell density and increased HbA1c (p < 0.001), longer DM duration (p = 0.003), and more severe diabetic retinopathy status (p = 0.008). Conclusion: DM seems to affect the corneal endothelium, since endothelial cell density was decreased in the diabetic group, while duration of disease, HbA1c levels, and severity of retinopathy were significantly associated with changes in endothelial cell density and should be taken into account.

A contralateral eye study comparing characteristics of corneal endothelial cells in bilateral keratoconus patients with unilateral corneal Vogt's striae

PurposeThe aim of this study was to analyze and compare corneal endothelial cell morphology and characteristics in bilateral keratoconus (KCN) patients with unilateral Vogt's striae. MethodsFifty patients aged 20–38 years were recruited in this cross-sectional contralateral eye study. In this study, corneal endothelial cell parameters were evaluated in patients with bilateral KCN and unilateral Vogt's striae using the Topcon SP2000P specular microscope (Topcon, Tokyo, Japan). ResultsIn the current study, there were no significant differences in corneal endothelial cell parameters including endothelial cell density (ECD), hexagonal cell ratio (HEX), and coefficient of variance of cell size (CV) between the KCN groups with and without Vogt's striae, [(2968.34 ± 276.65 vs. 2980.05 ± 253.30, P = 0.618), (51.88 ± 13.57 vs. 53.24 ± 9.31, P = 0.658), and (32.50 ± 5.40 vs. 32.97 ± 4.07, P = 0.467), respectively]. Also, among study groups with and without Vogt's striae, ECD did not correlate with anterior chamber depth (ACD) [(P = 0.564, r = 0.09), (P = 0.219, r = −0.18), respectively], maximum keratometry (Kmax) [(P = 0.215, r = 0.18), (P = 0.898, r = 0.02), respectively], and central corneal thickness (CCT) [(P = 0.989, r = −0.02), (P = 0.643, r = −0.07), respectively].Our results showed significant differences in corrected and uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), cycloplegic refractive error components (calculated by vectorial analysis), CCT, and Kmax between two study groups (all P < 0.05) except for J45 (Jackson cross cylinder, axes at 45 and 135°) (P = 0.131). ConclusionsWe were not able to find the statistically significant differences in ECD, HEX, and CV between KCN eyes with and without Vogt's striae. Despite clinical and tomographic results, it seems that Vogt's striae cannot cause deterioration in the corneal endothelial morphology.

Correlation between Corneal Endothelial Cell Characteristics and Dry Eye Disease

Medical & Surgical Ophthalmology Research Correlation between Corneal Endothelial Cell Characteristics and Dry Eye Disease Rania Fahmy1*, Fahmy RM2 1Department of optometry, College of applied medical sciences, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia 2Department of ophthalmology, Faculty of medicine, Cairo University, Egypt *Corresponding author: Rania Fahmy, Department of ophthalmology, Faculty of medicine, Cairo University, Egypt; Tel: 966507930645; Email: rfahmy@ksu.edu.sa Submission: October 14, 2017; Published: January 23, 2018 DOI: 10.31031/MSOR.2018.01.000509 ISSN: 2578-0360 Volume1 Issue2

Correlation between Corneal Endothelial Cell Characteristics and Dry Eye Disease

Medical & Surgical Ophthalmology Research Correlation between Corneal Endothelial Cell Characteristics and Dry Eye Disease Rania Fahmy1*, Fahmy RM2 1Department of optometry, College of applied medical sciences, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia 2Department of ophthalmology, Faculty of medicine, Cairo University, Egypt *Corresponding author: Rania Fahmy, Department of ophthalmology, Faculty of medicine, Cairo University, Egypt; Tel: 966507930645; Email: rfahmy@ksu.edu.sa Submission: October 14, 2017; Published: January 23, 2018 DOI: 10.31031/MSOR.2018.01.000509 ISSN: 2578-0360 Volume1 Issue2

Changes in corneal endothelium cell characteristics after cataract surgery with and without use of viscoelastic substances during intraocular lens implantation.

PurposeTo evaluate whether the use of balanced salt solution (BSS) or an ophthalmic viscoelastic device (OVD) during hydrophilic acrylic intraocular lens (IOL) implantation variously impacts corneal endothelial cell characteristics in eyes undergoing uneventful phacoemulsifications.MethodsProspective nonrandomized observational clinical trial. Patients were assigned either to the BSS plus® or to the OVD Z-Celcoat™ group depending on the substance used during IOL implantation. Corneal endothelium cell characteristics were obtained before, 1 week, and 6 weeks after surgery. Intraoperative parameters (eg, surgery time, phacoemulsification energy) were recorded.ResultsNinety-seven eyes were assigned to the BSS plus and 86 eyes to the Z-Celcoat group. Preoperative corneal endothelium cell density (ECD) and endothelium cell size were 2,506±310 cells/mm2/2,433±261 cells/mm2 and 406±47 µm2/416±50 µm2 (P=0.107/P=0.09). After 1 and 6 weeks, ECD decreased and endothelium cell size increased significantly in both groups (each P<0.001) without significant differences between both groups (each P>0.05). Irrigation–aspiration suction time (30.3±16.6 versus 36.3±14.5 seconds) and overall surgical time (7.2±1.2 versus 8.0±1.4 minutes) were significantly longer in the OVD Z-Celcoat group (each P<0.001). No complications or serious side effects occurred.ConclusionImplantation of a hydrophilic acrylic IOL under BSS infusion seems to be a useful and faster alternative in experienced hands without generating higher ECD loss rates.

Corneal Endothelial Cell Characteristics After Pediatric Cataract Surgery

To describe the corneal endothelial cell characteristics after pediatric cataract surgery. Retrospective case series of 29 study eyes and 26 controls were evaluable. Specular microscopy was performed and endothelial cell features were correlated with clinical and surgical features. Mean age at testing was 106 months in the study group and 116 months in the control group with a mean interval of 78 months after cataract surgery. Mean endothelial cell density in study eyes was 2,668 cells/mm(2) (control eyes, 3,002 cells/mm(2), P < .01). Mean coefficient of variation was 35% (control eyes, 31%, P < .01), and mean percentage of hexagonal cells was 40% (control eyes, 51%, P < .01). There was no significant difference based on age, duration since cataract surgery, contact lens use, glaucoma, number of intraocular procedures, or presence of intraocular lens. This study demonstrates endothelial cell loss with polymegathism and pleomorphism in children undergoing cataract surgery. This poses a risk of developing long-term corneal complications and hence close monitoring of the endothelial cell count is advisable.

Telomerase immortalization of human corneal endothelial cells yields functional hexagonal monolayers.

Human corneal endothelial cells (HCEnCs) form a monolayer of hexagonal cells whose main function is to maintain corneal clarity by regulating corneal hydration. HCEnCs are derived from neural crest and are arrested in the post-mitotic state. Thus cell loss due to aging or corneal endothelial disorders leads to corneal edema and blindness–the leading indication for corneal transplantation. Here we show the existence of morphologically distinct subpopulations of HCEnCs that are interspersed among primary cells and exhibit enhanced self-renewal competence and lack of phenotypic signs of cellular senescence. Colonies of these uniform and hexagonal HCEnCs (HCEnC-21) were selectively isolated and demonstrated high proliferative potential that was dependent on endogenous upregulation of telomerase and cyclin D/CDK4. Further transduction of HCEnC-21 with telomerase yielded a highly proliferative corneal endothelial cell line (HCEnT-21T) that was devoid of oncogenic transformation and retained critical corneal endothelial cell characteristics and functionality. This study will significantly impact the fields of corneal cell biology and regenerative medicine.

Diabetes and corneal endothelial cell characteristics: a study based on Eye Bank data

Diabetes and corneal endothelial cell characteristics: a study based on Eye Bank data

Corneal endothelial cell characteristics after pediatric cataract surgery

Purpose: Cataract surgery is the most common intraocular surgery in the pediatric population. Monitoring for complications and ensuring a clear visual axis is of paramount importance for the visual development of children.

Effect of Gas-Permeable Contact Lenses on the Endothelium of Corneal Transplants

The effects of gas-permeable contact lens wear on the density and morphologic characteristics of corneal endothelial cells were prospectively studied by wide-field specular microscopy in 18 eyes that had undergone keratoplasty at least 14 months previously. Daily-wear rigid gas-permeable lenses were fitted to allow as much movement and tear exchange as possible. There was no evidence of morphologic instability of the endothelial cells during the course of the study, with a mean duration of lens wear of 9.8 months. Although there is concern over adverse effects associated with polymethylmethacrylate contact lens wear, this study suggests that the endothelium of a corneal transplant tolerates rigid gas-permeable lens wear without adverse effect during a limited period of follow-up.

Characteristics of corneal endothelial cells in Fuchs' heterochromic cyclitis.

We studied the corneal endothelial cells in 14 patients (6 men and 8 women, ranging in age from 15 to 70 years) with unilateral Fuchs' heterochromic cyclitis (FHC) by means of specular microscopy. The healthy fellow eyes of the patients served as control material. Two affected eyes had undergone an intracapsular cataract extraction before specular microscopy. In one patient, the cyclitic eye also had glaucoma. Changes of the endothelium characterized by intra- and intercellular dark bodies, larger dark defects spanning several endothelial cells and bright irregular patchy areas crossing cell borders on the specular reflex were found in all eyes with FHC. Individual cell analysis did not reveal any significant differences in the endothelial cell density, cell area, coefficient of variation for cell area, cell perimeter, cell shape and in the number of endothelial cell apices between unoperated cyclitic and healthy fellow eyes. The mean cell density was 4.9% lower in the unoperated eyes with FHC than in the control eyes. A significant negative correlation was observed between the patients' age and the cell density both in the healthy and the cyclitic eyes. On the other hand, the correlation between follow-up period and cell density was not statistically significant in the cyclitic eyes. Although FHC does not seem to accelerate significantly the age-related cell density reduction, the magnitude of the cell loss found in the two operated eyes (45.5% and 49.8%) and in the eye with glaucoma (45.2%) may indicate altered tolerance against endothelial traumas in this disease.