Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 19, 2026
Full-Field Optical Coherence Microscopy for Histology-Like Analysis of Stromal Features in Corneal Grafts
Published on: October 21, 2022
Donor-derived myofibroblasts in the ocular surface after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation
David Hallberg1, Pernilla Wernstedt, Charles Hanson
1Department of Ophthalmology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital/Mölndal, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Insights
Donor-origin myofibroblasts were found on the ocular surface after allogeneic stem cell transplantation. These cells were detected in all patients, suggesting a role in ocular graft-versus-host disease research.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) can lead to ocular complications.
- Understanding donor cell engraftment on the ocular surface is crucial for managing post-transplant outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize donor-derived cells on the ocular surface of female recipients post-male donor allo-SCT.
- To investigate the presence and type of donor cells in corneal and conjunctival tissues.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of cytological impressions from 17 eyes of 9 allo-SCT patients.
- Sex-chromosome-specific fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for donor cell identification.
- Immunohistochemistry (IHC) using epithelial, leukocyte, and myofibroblast markers (CK3, CK19, CD45, alpha-SMA).
Main Results:
- No donor epithelial cells were found in corneal or conjunctival samples.
- Donor cells were present in corneal samples but often degraded for IHC.
- Donor cells (median 9%) were detected in conjunctiva of all patients, with two-thirds being CD45+/alpha-SMA+ myofibroblasts.
Conclusions:
- Superficially located donor myofibroblasts were observed in all allo-SCT patients.
- These donor myofibroblasts were absent in healthy controls.
- Further research is needed to determine the role of these myofibroblasts in ocular graft-versus-host disease.
Purpose:
To identify and characterize cells of donor origin in the ocular surface of female recipients who have undergone allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) from a male donor.
Methods:
Cytological impressions from the eyes of nine allografted patients (17 eyes) were analysed. Donor cells were identified using sex-chromosome-specific fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Cells were characterized by immunohistochemistry (IHC) using the CK3 and CK19 epithelial markers, the panleucocytic marker CD45 and the myofibroblast marker alpha-SMA.
Results:
No epithelial cells of donor origin were observed in the corneal or conjunctival samples. Cells of donor origin were found in the corneal samples, although these were often too degraded to allow characterization by IHC. In the conjunctiva, a median of 86% of the total number of cells were of recipient origin, including a subgroup (2%) of giant cells exhibiting polyploidy (range 4-18 n), found in the limbal region. Donor cells were detected in the conjunctiva of all nine patients at a median ratio of 9%, of which two-thirds were CD45+/alpha-SMA+.
Conclusions:
We observed superficially located myofibroblasts of donor origin in all allografted patients, but not in samples from healthy controls. Whether myofibroblasts are implicated in ocular graft-versus-host disease requires further studies.
