[An experimental study on limbal stem cells autograft transplantation with cryopreservation].
OBJECTIVE
The viability of limbal stem cells with cryopreservation and the treatment effect with cryopreserved limbal autograft transplantation for ocular surface disorders (OSDs) of stem cells deficiency in rabbits.


METHODS
Limbal grafts included 2 mm of peripheral cornea and 2 mm of conjunctiva and OSDs models of corneal stem cells deficiency were created in right eyes of 12 rabbits. The grafts were cryopreserved in -196 degrees C liquid nitrogen by program-controlled Bio-Freezer. The limbal autograft transplantations for ocular surface reconstruction were performed after cryopreserved 60 days and 30 days.


RESULTS
The stem cells deficiency result in corneal epithelium delay healing. Seven of 12 eyes were healed post-operative 22-26 days with a mean time of 24 +/- 1 days and four eyes with recurrent erosion. The swelling and neovascularization appearing with a mean time of 5 +/- 1 days were discovered. The cryopreserved limbal autograft transplantation can increase corneal epithelial healing with a mean time of 10 +/- 2 days. It was observed that corneal stromal swelling and neovascularization were markedly decreased, and neovascularization of two eyes were disappeared.


CONCLUSIONS
Cryopreservation in liquid nitrogen can preserve the viability of limbal stem cells, and provide viable limbal grafts to treat OSDs in clinical patients.
Zhou
S
S
Department of Ophthalmology, First Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing University of Medical Science, Chongqing 400016, China.
Chen
J
J
Huang
T
T
Chen
L
L
Xu
L
L
D000818:Animals; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D016039:Corneal Transplantation; D015925:Cryopreservation; D005260:Female; D016850:Limbus Corneae / Q000166:cytology*; D008297:Male; D011817:Rabbits; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous