title: Concise Review: An Update on the Culture of Human Corneal Endothelial Cells for Transplantation.
abstract: The cornea forms the front window of the eye, enabling the transmission of light to the retina through a crystalline lens. Many disorders of the cornea lead to partial or total blindness, and therefore corneal transplantation becomes mandatory. Recently, selective corneal layer (as opposed to full thickness) transplantation has become popular because this leads to earlier rehabilitation and visual outcomes. Corneal endothelial disorders are a common cause of corneal disease and transplantation. Corneal endothelial transplantation is successful but limited worldwide because of lower donor corneal supply. Alternatives to corneal tissue for endothelial transplantation therefore require immediate attention. The field of human corneal endothelial culture for transplantation is rapidly emerging as a possible viable option. This manuscript provides an update regarding these developments. Significance: The cornea is the front clear window of the eye. It needs to be kept transparent for normal vision. It is formed of various layers of which the posterior layer (the endothelium) is responsible for the transparency of the cornea because it allows the transport of ions and solutes to and from the other layers of the cornea. Corneal blindness that results from the corneal endothelial dysfunction can be treated using healthy donor tissues. There is a huge demand for human donor corneas but limited supply, and therefore there is a need to identify alternatives that would reduce this demand. Research is underway to understand the isolation techniques for corneal endothelial cells, culturing these cells in the laboratory, and finding possible options to transplant these cells in the patients. This review article is an update on the recent developments in this field.
authors.affiliation: International Center for Ocular Physiopathology, Fondazione Banca Degli Occhi Del Veneto Onlus, Venice, Italy.
authors.forename: Mohit
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Parekh
authors.affiliation: International Center for Ocular Physiopathology, Fondazione Banca Degli Occhi Del Veneto Onlus, Venice, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ferrari
authors.affiliation: Department of Eye and Vision Science, Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom St. Paul's Eye Unit, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Carl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sheridan
authors.affiliation: Department of Eye and Vision Science, Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom St. Paul's Eye Unit, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kaye
authors.affiliation: Department of Eye and Vision Science, Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom St. Paul's Eye Unit, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool, United Kingdom sajjad.ahmad@liverpool.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Sajjad
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ahmad
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001766:Blindness / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D016039:Corneal Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D003470:Culture Media / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D004728:Endothelium, Corneal / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D000882:Haplorhini; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D014019:Tissue Donors / Q000600:supply & distribution
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media
keywords: Cell culture; Cornea; Corneal endothelial cells; Transplantation