Oftalʹmologiâ (Mar 2018)

Мodification of Mechanical Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency Model

  • A. V. Bezushko,
  • A. S. Dubovikov,
  • A. N. Kulikov,
  • S. V. Churashov,
  • V. F. Chernysh,
  • A. A. Suetov,
  • I. O. Gavriluk

DOI
https://doi.org/10.18008/1816-5095-2018-1-51-57
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 15, no. 1
pp. 51 – 57

Abstract

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Introduction. Ocular surface diseases related with limbal epithelial stem cells dysfunction were united in term “limbal stem cell deficiency” (LSCD). For experimental study of the regenerative processes and evaluation of the success of new LSCD treatingmethods LSCD model is required. Various LSCD models were proposed in the experiment to study: mechanical, thermal, chemical,medicamental. The main lack of these models were the relative high cost and complexity of execution. The mechanical model allows forthe guaranteed removal of tissues containing LESCs, and therefore seems to be the most acceptable. We offered a modification of themechanical LSCD model in rabbits. Purpose to create a standardized modification of the mechanical limbal stem cell deficiency modelin the experiment. Material and methods. The experimental study was performed in 10 mature Chinchilla rabbits (20 eyes) with anaverage weight 2.5–3.5 kg. With the local anesthesia, after a 40-second application of the filter paper impregnated with 20% ethanol,the corneal epithelium was removed. With microsurgical diamond blade we metered limb portion of 4 mm width, 0.2 mm deep, andit was removed along the 360° rim. Results. On the 30th day we discovered corneal opacity and neovascularization with conjunctivalpannus extending to the optical zone of the cornea. Histological examination revealed tissue edema, inflammatory infiltration, andnewly formed vessels. In some places, thinning of epithelium to one row of flattened cells was observed. The Bowman membrane wasdeformed and practically not detected. Histological examination and impression cytology confirmed the presence of goblet cells in thecorneal epithelium. Conclusions. Our modification of the mechanical limbal stem cell deficiency model is devoid of the main lacks ofprevious models, such as the high cost and complexity of execution, provides intraoperative limbal tissue resection depth control andexcludes the possibility of the eye perforation. It is effective, universal, standardized and available for widespread use.

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