Predicative Factors for Corneal Endothelial Cell Migration

PURPOSE: To characterize the effects of Descemet's stripping, Rho-associated protein kinase inhibitor Y-27632, and donor age on endothelial migration in human corneas maintained in ex vivo culture. METHODS: Twenty-eight cadaveric human corneas underwent ex vivo culture in either standard or Y-27632-supplemented culture medium for 14 days. The posterior surface of each cornea was manipulated to create two types of wounds: scratched wound--corneal endothelial cells (CECs) were denuded from the Descemet's membrane (DM) to leave behind a bare but intact DM; and peeled wound--both the DM and overlying CECs were stripped to leave behind bare corneal stroma. Endothelial migration was assessed via Trypan blue staining. Morphologic traits of CECs were assessed via Alizarin red microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS: The CECs migrated preferentially over scratched wounds compared with peeled wounds. Y-27632 supplementation accelerated endothelial migration over scratched wounds. Endothelial migration decreased with advanced donor age for both wound types, regardless of exposure to Y-27632. Y-27632 supplementation resulted in a less rapid decline in endothelial migration for donors older than 50 years of age for scratched surfaces. Greater cell density and hexagonality was observed over scratched wounds compared with peeled wounds, regardless of Y-27632 supplementation. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of an intact DM, Y-27632 supplementation, and young donor age are factors that promote endothelial migration in an ex vivo human cornea culture model. The negative effect of age on endothelial migration can be mitigated by the presence of an intact DM and Y-27632 supplementation.