title: Evaluation of stem cell components in retrocorneal membranes.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to elucidate the origin and cellular composition of retrocorneal membranes (RCMs) associated with chemical burns using immunohistochemical staining for primitive cell markers. Six cases of RCMs were collected during penetrating keratoplasty. We examined RCMs with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining and immunohistochemical analysis using monoclonal antibodies against hematopoietic stem cells (CD34, CD133, c-kit), mesenchymal stem cells (beta-1-integrin, TGF-β, vimentin, hSTRO-1), fibroblasts (FGF-β, α-smooth muscle actin), and corneal endothelial cells (type IV collagen, CD133, VEGF, VEGFR1). Histologic analysis of RCMs revealed an organized assembly of spindle-shaped cells, pigment-laden cells, and thin collagenous matrix structures. RCMs were positive for markers of mesenchymal stem cells including beta-1-integrin, TGF-β, vimentin, and hSTRO-1. Fibroblast markers were also positive, including FGF-β and α-smooth muscle actin (SMA). In contrast, immunohistochemical staining was negative for hematopoietic stem cell markers including CD34, CD133 and c-kit as well as corneal endothelial cell markers such as type IV collagen, CD133 except VEGF and VEGFR1. Pigment-laden cells did not stain with any antibodies. The results of this study suggest that RCMs consist of a thin collagen matrix and fibroblast-like cells and may be a possible neogenetic structure produced from a lineage of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Chung-Ang University Hospital, College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Seok Hyun
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Chung-Ang University Hospital, College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Kyoung Woo
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Chung-Ang University Hospital, College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Mi Kyung
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Chung-Ang University Hospital, College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Yeoun Sook
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Chun
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Chung-Ang University Hospital, College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Jae Chan
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-4034-7685
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism; D003315:Cornea / Q000166:cytology* / Q000473:pathology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D016207:Cytokines; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
keywords: Burns, Chemical; Cornea; Mesenchymal Stem Cell; Retrocorneal Membrane