Loss of corneal Langerhans cells during storage in organ culture medium, Optisol and McCarey-Kaufman medium.
OBJECTIVE
This study compares the influence of different corneal preservation media on HLA-DR positive corneal Langerhans cells (LCs).


METHODS
Using fluorescence-associated immunohistochemistry, corneal sections were stained for HLA-DR antigens after preserving corneal-scleral discs in three different storage media: organ culture medium. Optisol and McCarey-Kaufman medium. HLA-DR positive LCs were present in corneal epithelium and upper stroma of fresh corneas.


RESULTS
A storage period of even 3 days had a significant influence on the number of HLA-DR positive corneal LCs. The number of LCs decreased at the limbus from 15.3 +/- 4.1 LCs/ 0.25 mm2 to 11.8 +/- 1.2 LCs/0.25 mm2 (p < 0.01) during preservation in McCarey-Kaufman medium, to 11.2 +/- 1.9 LCs/0.25 mm2 (p < 0.01) during preservation in organ culture medium and to 12.7 +/- 3.4 LCs/0.25 mm2 (p < 0.01) during preservation in Optisol. A greater loss was detected after 7 days and we found a cell number of 1.6 +/- 1.1 LCs/0.25 mm2 (p < 0.001) after storage in organ culture medium and of 1.4 +/- 1.5 LCs/0.25 mm2 (p < 0.001) after storage in Optisol. The donor tissues entirely lacked HLA-DR positive LCs, regardless of the preservation medium used, when stored for up to 14 days.


CONCLUSIONS
These results demonstrate that loss of HLA-DR antigens is mainly related to storage period and is independent of the type of preservation medium and preservation temperature.
Ardjomand
N
N
University Eye Clinic, Karl Franzens University, Graz, Austria.
Berghold
A
A
Reich
M E
ME
D002452:Cell Count; D016923:Cell Death; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates; D045424:Complex Mixtures; D003315:Cornea / Q000276:immunology*; D016039:Corneal Transplantation / Q000276:immunology*; D003470:Culture Media; D016895:Culture Media, Serum-Free; D003911:Dextrans; D005839:Gentamicins; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007801:Langerhans Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D009926:Organ Preservation; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D013997:Time Factors
D045424:Complex Mixtures; D003470:Culture Media; D016895:Culture Media, Serum-Free; D003911:Dextrans; D005839:Gentamicins; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; C015368:McCarey-Kaufman medium; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates; C075736:Optisol