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Updated: Aug 12, 2026
A Simple Mechanical Procedure to Create Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency in Mouse
Published on: November 17, 2016
[An experimental study on limbal stem cells autograft transplantation with cryopreservation]
1Department of Ophthalmology, First Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing University of Medical Science, Chongqing 400016, China.
Purpose:
The viability of limbal stem cells with cryopreservation and the treatment effect with cryopreserved limbal autograft transplantation for ocular surface disorders (OSDs) of stem cells deficiency in rabbits.
Methods:
Limbal grafts included 2 mm of peripheral cornea and 2 mm of conjunctiva and OSDs models of corneal stem cells deficiency were created in right eyes of 12 rabbits. The grafts were cryopreserved in -196 degrees C liquid nitrogen by program-controlled Bio-Freezer. The limbal autograft transplantations for ocular surface reconstruction were performed after cryopreserved 60 days and 30 days.
Results:
The stem cells deficiency result in corneal epithelium delay healing. Seven of 12 eyes were healed post-operative 22-26 days with a mean time of 24 +/- 1 days and four eyes with recurrent erosion. The swelling and neovascularization appearing with a mean time of 5 +/- 1 days were discovered. The cryopreserved limbal autograft transplantation can increase corneal epithelial healing with a mean time of 10 +/- 2 days. It was observed that corneal stromal swelling and neovascularization were markedly decreased, and neovascularization of two eyes were disappeared.
Conclusions:
Cryopreservation in liquid nitrogen can preserve the viability of limbal stem cells, and provide viable limbal grafts to treat OSDs in clinical patients.
