Ultrastructural analysis of the decellularized cornea after interlamellar keratoplasty and microkeratome-assisted anterior lamellar keratoplasty in a rabbit model.
The decellularized cornea has received considerable attention for use as an artificial cornea. The decellularized cornea is free from cellular components and other immunogens, but maintains the integrity of the extracellular matrix. However, the ultrastructure of the decellularized cornea has yet to be demonstrated in detail. We investigated the influence of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) on the decellularization of the corneal ultrastructure and its involvement in transparency, and assessed the in vivo behaviour of the decellularized cornea using two animal transplantation models, in relation to remodelling of collagen fibrils. Decellularized corneas were prepared by the HHP method. The decellularized corneas were executed by haematoxylin and eosin and Masson's trichrome staining to demonstrate the complete removal of corneal cells. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that the ultrastructure of the decellularized cornea prepared by the HHP method was better maintained than that of the decellularized cornea prepared by the detergent method. The decellularized cornea after interlamellar keratoplasty and microkeratome-assisted anterior lamellar keratoplasty using a rabbit model was stable and remained transparent without ultrastructural alterations. We conclude that the superior properties of the decellularized cornea prepared by the HHP method were attributed to the preservation of the corneal ultrastructure.
Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan.|World Premier International Research Center Initiative, International Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics (WPI-MANA), National Institute for Materials Science, Ibaraki, Japan.
Yoshihide
Y
Hashimoto
World Premier International Research Center Initiative, International Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics (WPI-MANA), National Institute for Materials Science, Ibaraki, Japan.
Shinya
S
Hattori
World Premier International Research Center Initiative, International Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics (WPI-MANA), National Institute for Materials Science, Ibaraki, Japan.|Department of Ophthalmology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan.
Shuji
S
Sasaki
World Premier International Research Center Initiative, International Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics (WPI-MANA), National Institute for Materials Science, Ibaraki, Japan.
Takako
T
Honda
Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan.|World Premier International Research Center Initiative, International Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics (WPI-MANA), National Institute for Materials Science, Ibaraki, Japan.
Tsuyoshi
T
Kimura
Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan.|World Premier International Research Center Initiative, International Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics (WPI-MANA), National Institute for Materials Science, Ibaraki, Japan.
Seiichi
S
Funamoto
World Premier International Research Center Initiative, International Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics (WPI-MANA), National Institute for Materials Science, Ibaraki, Japan.
Hisatoshi
H
Kobayashi
Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan.|World Premier International Research Center Initiative, International Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics (WPI-MANA), National Institute for Materials Science, Ibaraki, Japan.
Akio
A
Kishida
D000818:Animals; D003315:Cornea / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D016039:Corneal Transplantation / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D016591:Histocytological Preparation Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D023421:Models, Animal; D011817:Rabbits; D013552:Swine