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Updated: May 5, 2026
Full-Field Optical Coherence Microscopy for Histology-Like Analysis of Stromal Features in Corneal Grafts
Published on: October 21, 2022
Design and analysis of keratoconus tissue microarrays
Eva-Maria Lackner1, Mario Matthaei, Huan Meng
1*The Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; †Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria; ‡Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany; §Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; and ¶Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD.
Keratoconus (KC) corneas show increased levels of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and 8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), indicating oxidative stress. These stress markers increase with tissue preservation time.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Biomedical Science
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- Keratoconus (KC) is a progressive thinning disorder of the cornea.
- Oxidative stress is implicated in the pathogenesis of KC.
- Biomarkers for oxidative stress in KC require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To create tissue microarrays (TMAs) for keratoconus (KC) corneas.
- To evaluate the expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and 8-oxo-2 -deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) in KC corneas.
- To compare marker expression in KC with control tissues.
Main Methods:
- Two TMAs were constructed using corneal buttons from 66 KC patients and various controls.
- Immunolabeling for EGFR and 8-OHdG was performed.
- Expression levels were quantified using TMAJ software and an H-score index.
- Pig eyes were used to study marker expression under different preservation conditions.
Main Results:
- EGFR was significantly upregulated in KC epithelium compared to FECD controls (P = 0.009).
- 8-OHdG was elevated in KC epithelium compared to FECD specimens (P = 0.03).
- Autopsy controls showed higher levels of both markers than KC samples, correlating with preservation time.
Conclusions:
- TMAs provide an efficient model for high-throughput analysis of corneal tissue.
- Upregulation of EGFR and 8-OHdG in KC epithelium suggests oxidative stress involvement.
- Increased preservation time may contribute to elevated stress marker levels in autopsy controls.
