title: Organization of the regenerated nerves in human corneal grafts.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine by histopathology the degree of nerve regeneration in human corneal grafts and to determine the anatomic organization and morphology of the regenerated nerves.
  
  
  METHODS
  Experimental laboratory investigation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve corneal grafts from 12 patients (7 men and 5 women) aged 34-93 (mean, 66.9 years) were included. The most common indication for regrafting was late endothelial failure. The mean duration of graft survival was 6.41 years (range, 1-14 years). The freshly obtained specimens with a narrow rim of host tissue incorporating the graft-host junction were subjected to the acetylcholinesterase method for the demonstration of corneal nerves.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Subbasal nerves were found in 75% and 25% of the grafts at the periphery and center, respectively. They were mostly originated from the host subbasal nerves. Regenerated stromal nerves were detected in 83% of the specimens; half of them showed extension into the center of the graft. A lack of the normal link between the subbasal and stromal nerves was observed and almost all of the regenerated stromal nerves were found to remain within the stroma and did not contribute to the epithelial innervation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A persistent anatomic disorganization of the corneal nerves in human grafts was found even 14 years after surgery. This could explain the significant reduction of corneal sensation reported in previous studies.
authors: School of Clinical Sciences, Division of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Nottingham, United Kingdom.
authors: Mouhamed Ali
authors: MA
authors: Al-Aqaba
authors: Ahmad Muneer
authors: AM
authors: Otri
authors: Usama
authors: U
authors: Fares
authors: Ammar
authors: A
authors: Miri
authors: Harminder S
authors: HS
authors: Dua
mesh_terms: D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000294:innervation*; D005260:Female; D006084:Graft Rejection; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D015948:Keratoplasty, Penetrating; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D009882:Ophthalmic Nerve / Q000502:physiology*; D012086:Reoperation; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000110:Acetylcholinesterase