The persistence of transplanted amniotic membrane in corneal stroma.
OBJECTIVE
To characterize the long-term incorporation of transplanted amniotic membrane into corneal stroma.


METHODS
Experimental study.


METHODS
Rabbit amniotic membrane, stained with a fluorescent dye (DTAF), was implanted unilaterally into the corneal stroma of four adult rabbits. Corneas were examined clinically and by transmission electron microscopy and fluorescent microscopy at 1, 3, 7, and 10 months after surgery.


RESULTS
Visibility of the transplanted amniotic membrane, in situ, on slit-lamp examination decreased over time. However, fluorescent and electron microscopy clearly demonstrated that the amniotic membrane remained structurally unchanged and intact within the corneal stroma up to 10 months after implantation.


CONCLUSIONS
Amniotic membrane allografts persist intact within an intracorneal space for many months postoperatively and are not quickly broken down or dissolved by the host tissue.
Connon
Che J
CJ
Department of Ophthalmology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan. connoncj@cf.ac.uk
Nakamura
Takahiro
T
Quantock
Andrew J
AJ
Kinoshita
Shigeru
S
D000650:Amnion / Q000378:metabolism / Q000637:transplantation* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000818:Animals; D003094:Collagen / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000601:surgery* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005452:Fluoresceins / Q000378:metabolism; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D011817:Rabbits; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous
D005452:Fluoresceins; C039083:5-((4,6-dichloro-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)amino)fluorescein; D003094:Collagen