Simple oral mucosal epithelial transplantation in a rabbit model

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Regenerative Medicine
• Tissue Engineering

Background:

• Limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) impairs corneal epithelial maintenance, leading to visual impairment.
• Current treatments for LSCD can be invasive or require complex cell culturing.
• There is a need for simpler, effective methods for ocular surface reconstruction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of autologous simple oral mucosal epithelium transplantation (SOMET) in a rabbit model of LSCD.
• To assess the potential of SOMET as a straightforward surgical option for ocular surface repair.

Main Methods:

• LSCD was induced in rabbits, divided into SOMET and control groups.
• Oral mucosa grafts were prepared and placed onto the corneal stroma without sutures, amniotic membrane, or glue.
• Postoperative outcomes, including neovascularization and epithelial defects, were assessed via slit lamp microscopy and immunohistochemistry.

Main Results:

• SOMET group showed complete LSCD recovery with reduced neovascularization and staining scores.
• Histological analysis revealed stratified K3/K13-positive cells, indicating successful epithelialization in the SOMET group.
• Control group eyes exhibited persistent corneal epithelial defects at 2 weeks.

Conclusions:

• SOMET effectively achieved corneal re-epithelialization in a rabbit LSCD model.
• The technique is simple, sutureless, and does not require cell culture.
• SOMET presents a promising approach for ocular surface reconstruction, particularly in cases of bilateral LSCD.