In Vitro Study of the Deturgescence Ability of Cultivated Human Corneal Endothelial Cells.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficiency of cultivated human corneal endothelial cells (HCECs) to dehydrate the cornea, using models of the posterior cornea, composed of artificial collagen mass (to represent corneal stroma) and equine collagen membranes (to represent Descemet membrane).

METHODS: HCECs were isolated from donor corneal rings and cultivated at 37°C in 5% CO2 and 95% humidified air. The study design included 4 different sets of models: in set 1, the HCECs were placed directly on the collagen mass complex; in set 2, HCECs were placed on a thin equine collagen membrane and laid over the collagen mass; in set 3, HCECs were placed on a thick equine collagen membrane laid over the collagen mass; and in set 4 (the control group), the hydrophilic collagen mass was left alone to interact with the nutritional medium. The minimum thickness of each sample was measured with optical coherence tomography directly before placement of cells and after exposure to the nutritional fluid for 48 hours.

RESULTS: After 2 days of exposure to the nutritional medium, the percentage decreases in thickness in "posterior cornea" models were 66% for set 1, 57% for set 2, and 13% set 3. In the control set, measurement of thickness after 2 days of exposure was not possible because of excessive fluid absorption.

CONCLUSIONS: This in vitro study of HCECs showed that the dehydrating ability of HCECs is adversely affected by increased thickness of the artificial (Descemet) membrane. Further studies with similar models would aid better understanding of corneal diseases.