J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2011 May;52(5):589-596. 10.3341/jkos.2011.52.5.589.

Effect of Amniotic Membrane on Epithelial Thickness and Formation of Hemidesmosomes after Corneal Stromal Wound

• Yun YJ
• Kwag JY
• Choi SH

• KMID: 2214579
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3341/jkos.2011.52.5.589

Abstract

PURPOSE
To investigate the effects of an amniotic membrane patch on corneal epithelial thickness and formation of hemidesmosomes during corneal stromal wound healing.
METHODS
A stromal wound 9 mm in diameter and 130 microm in depth was created on rabbit cornea using a microkeratome. The changes in corneal epithelial thickness and hemidesmosome formations were compared between the amniotic membrane, contact lens, and control groups. Changes in the corneal epithelium were examined using H&E staining and hemidesmosome formation was examined using an electron microscope at 2 and 4 weeks after flap removal.
RESULTS
Two weeks after treatment, the corneal epithelial thickness was 95.3 +/- 6.3 microm in the amniotic membrane group being significantly thicker than 76.4 +/- 5.1 microm in the contact lens group and 68.3 +/- 6.1 microm in the control group. Furthermore, more hemidesmosome formations were observed in the amniotic membrane group compared to the other 2 groups. However, there were no significant differences in corneal epithelial thickness or hemidesmosome formation among the 3 groups at week 4.
CONCLUSIONS
The amniotic membrane group showed a thicker corneal epithelium and more hemidesmosome formation than the other 2 groups 2 weeks after flap removal. Thus, the use of an amniotic membrane patch appears to be effective in the early stages of corneal stromal wound healing.

Keyword

Amniotic membrane; Contact lens; Corneal epithelial thickness; Hemidesmosome

MeSH Terms

Amnion
Cornea
Electrons
Epithelium, Corneal
Hemidesmosomes
Wound Healing

Figure

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  Figure 1. Photographs showing the making and removal of the corneal wound (diameter 9 mm, depth 130 μm). (A) Creating the corneal wound flap with Microkeratome (BDK3000, Becton & Dickinson, Franklin Lakes, NJ, USA). (B) Corneal flap. (C) Lifting of the corneal wound flap and cutting the hinge of the corneal flap using a blade. (D) Fluorescein dye staining after corneal flap removal.

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  Figure 2. Photograph of the rabbit cornea after amniotic membrane patch graft. Arrowheads indicate the original amniotic membrane patch margin (diameter 14 mm) and arrows indicate 10-0 nylon sutures.

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  Figure 3. Light microscopy of the central cornea at 2 weeks. (A) Normal cornea. (B) Amniotic membrane group. (C) Contact lens group. (D) Control group. Corneal epithelial thickness in the amniotic membrane group is thicker than the other groups (Hematoxylin-Eosin stain, original magnification ×100).

• 

  Figure 4. Light microscopy of central cornea at 4 weeks. (A) Normal cornea. (B) Amniotic membrane group. (C) Contact lens group. (D) Control group. Corneal epithelial thickness is similar in all groups (Hematoxylin-Eosin stain, original magnification ×100).

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  Figure 5. Comparison of central corneal epithelial thickness among the 3 groups at 2 weeks and 4 weeks. In all groups, the central corneal epithelial thickness was significantly thicker at 2 weeks than at 4 weeks. * Corneal epithelial thickness in the AM group is significantly thicker than the CL and control group at 2 weeks. † Corneal epithelial thickness in the CL group is significantly thicker than the control group. AM = amniotic membrane; CL = contact lens.

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  Figure 6. Transmission electron photomicrographs (original magnification ×45,000) of the central cornea at 2 weeks. (A) Morphologically established hemidesmosome is found in the amniotic membrane group. (B) Morphologically identifiable hemidesmosomes appear in the contact lens group. (C) Hyperactive formation of adhesion complex in the control group.

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  Figure 7. Transmission electron photomicrographs (original magnification ×45,000) of the central cornea at 4 weeks. (A) Amniotic membrane group. (B) Contact lens group. (C) Control group. Morphologically established hemidesmosomes (arrowheads) are detected in all groups. There are no significant differences in adhesion complex formation among the 3 groups.

Reference

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