Integrity of endothelium in cryopreserved human cornea.
The aim of the present study was to elaborate an optimal method for cryopreservation of human donor cornea for transplantation and to follow the morphological changes in the structure of the endothelial cell layer using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Sixteen groups, with four donor cornea each, were cryopreserved at cooling rates of 1 degree C per min and 5 degree C per min. Four cryoprotectants (glycerol, dimethyl sulfoxide, 1,2-propanediol, polyethylene glycol-400) in two concentrations (5% and 10% v/v) were prepared on the bases of medium Optisol GS supplied with 20% v/v human serum albumin. Four additional human cornea were used as controls. Endothelial cell recovery of the cornea after thawing and 24 hours culture, was calculated as a percent of the preserved recovered cells. Sufficient recovery of the endothelial cell layer, making the cornea suitable for transplantation was obtained using the cryoprotectants dimethyl sulfoxide and especially polyethylene glycol-400.
Neronov
A
A
Institute Experimental Morphology and Anthropology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, acad. G.Bonchev str., bl. 25, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria. Neronov@hotmail.com
Mazgalova
J
J
Cholakova
M
M
Dimitrova
M
M
Deligiozova
I
I
Kovatcheva
S
S
Nikolova
E
E
D000328:Adult; D016039:Corneal Transplantation; D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000379:methods*; D003451:Cryoprotective Agents; D004121:Dimethyl Sulfoxide; D004728:Endothelium, Corneal / Q000637:transplantation* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D006801:Humans; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008875:Middle Aged; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols
D003451:Cryoprotective Agents; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D004121:Dimethyl Sulfoxide