TY - JOUR
T1 - Physical and biological characterization of the gamma-irradiated human cornea
AU - Chae, J. Jeremy
AU - Choi, Joseph S.
AU - Lee, Justin D.
AU - Lu, Qiaozhi
AU - Stark, Walter J.
AU - Kuo, Irene C.
AU - Elisseeff, Jennifer H.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.
PY - 2015/7/23
Y1 - 2015/7/23
N2 - Purpose: To compare the physical and biological characteristics of commercial gamma-irradiated corneas with those of fresh human corneas and to determine suitability for transplantation. Methods: The physical properties of gamma-irradiated and fresh corneas were evaluated with respect to light transmittance, hydration (swelling ratio), elastic modulus (compressive modulus by the indentation method), matrix organization (differential scanning calorimetry), and morphology (light and transmission electron microscopy). The biological properties of the gamma-irradiated cornea, including residual cell content and cellular biocompatibility, were evaluated by quantifying DNA content and measuring the proliferation rate of human corneal epithelial cells, respectively. Results: The hydration, light transmittance, elastic modulus, and proliferation rate of human corneal epithelial cells were not significantly different between fresh and gamma-irradiated corneas. However, differences were observed in tissue morphology, DNA content, and thermal properties. The density of collagen fibrils of the gamma-irradiated corneal sample (160.6 ± 33.2 fibrils/m 2) was significantly lower than that of the fresh corneal sample (310.0 ± 44.7 fibrils/m 2). Additionally, in the gamma-irradiated corneas, cell fragments - but not viable cells - were observed, supported by lower DNA content of the gamma-irradiated cornea (1.0 ± 0.1 g/mg) than in fresh corneas (1.9 g/mg). Moreover, the denaturation temperature of gamma-irradiated corneas (61.8 ± 1.1 °C) was significantly lower than that of fresh corneas (66.1 ± 1.9 °C). Conclusions: Despite structural changes due to irradiation, the physical and biological properties of the gamma-irradiated cornea remain similar to the fresh cornea. These factors, combined with a decreased risk of rejection and longer shelf life, make the gamma-irradiated tissue a viable and clinically desired option in various ophthalmic procedures.
AB - Purpose: To compare the physical and biological characteristics of commercial gamma-irradiated corneas with those of fresh human corneas and to determine suitability for transplantation. Methods: The physical properties of gamma-irradiated and fresh corneas were evaluated with respect to light transmittance, hydration (swelling ratio), elastic modulus (compressive modulus by the indentation method), matrix organization (differential scanning calorimetry), and morphology (light and transmission electron microscopy). The biological properties of the gamma-irradiated cornea, including residual cell content and cellular biocompatibility, were evaluated by quantifying DNA content and measuring the proliferation rate of human corneal epithelial cells, respectively. Results: The hydration, light transmittance, elastic modulus, and proliferation rate of human corneal epithelial cells were not significantly different between fresh and gamma-irradiated corneas. However, differences were observed in tissue morphology, DNA content, and thermal properties. The density of collagen fibrils of the gamma-irradiated corneal sample (160.6 ± 33.2 fibrils/m 2) was significantly lower than that of the fresh corneal sample (310.0 ± 44.7 fibrils/m 2). Additionally, in the gamma-irradiated corneas, cell fragments - but not viable cells - were observed, supported by lower DNA content of the gamma-irradiated cornea (1.0 ± 0.1 g/mg) than in fresh corneas (1.9 g/mg). Moreover, the denaturation temperature of gamma-irradiated corneas (61.8 ± 1.1 °C) was significantly lower than that of fresh corneas (66.1 ± 1.9 °C). Conclusions: Despite structural changes due to irradiation, the physical and biological properties of the gamma-irradiated cornea remain similar to the fresh cornea. These factors, combined with a decreased risk of rejection and longer shelf life, make the gamma-irradiated tissue a viable and clinically desired option in various ophthalmic procedures.
KW - corneal substitute
KW - corneal transplantation
KW - extracellular matrix
KW - gamma irradiation
KW - human cornea
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U2 - 10.1097/ICO.0000000000000555
DO - 10.1097/ICO.0000000000000555
M3 - Article
C2 - 26203754
AN - SCOPUS:84942248502
SN - 0277-3740
VL - 34
SP - 1287
EP - 1294
JO - Cornea
JF - Cornea
IS - 10
ER -