Comparative development of SIRC rabbit corneal cells grown on polycarbonate- and polyester-based filters

Statens Seruminstitut Rabbit Cornea (SIRC) cells were grown on sterile polycarbonate- and polyester-based filter inserts to evaluate the feasibility of substituting the polyester-based filter inserts for use in a previously developed permeability model. The two filter types were compared for differences in cellular growth rate and morphological changes following days 3, 7 and 10 in culture. There were no significant differences in the number of cell layers formed on any day examined. The numbers of cell layers formed with the polycarbonate-based filter inserts were 1.75 +/- 0.09, 2.53 +/- 0.14 and 2.93 +/- 0.16, for days 3, 7 and 10, respectively. The numbers of cell layers formed with the polyester-based filter inserts were 1.79 +/- 0.07, 2.23 +/- 0.11 and 2.90 +/- 0.13, for days 3, 7 and 10, respectively. The SIRC cells had a similar comparative morphology on each of the above days. Active cell growth was seen on each day with signs of maturation evident by day 7 in culture. The polyester-based filter inserts can be substituted in the previously established permeability assay without alteration of morphology or rate of growth, thus allowing confirmation of cell confluency prior to use in the permeability assay. It will also allow for photographic documentation of cell injury prior to recovery studies, without necessitating the preparation of extra samples for fixation at the time of initial injury. Future studies will be required to determine if there will be any alteration in the rate of permeability with a previously tested standard, before adoption of the new filter.