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Toxicity of dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) to human corneal endothelium in vitro
Abstract:
Human cadaver corneas were obtained 10--12 h after clinical death, incubated in organ culture for 20--28 h and exposed 2, 4, 6, 8, 6, 4, and 2% DMSO successively for 10 min at each concentration. Endothelial cell damage was recognized by morphological alterations during reformation of a coherent cell sheat after expulsion of damaged cells. DMSO was found to cause latent cell damage at 31 degrees C. No cell damage was found at 4 degrees C when DMSO was dissolved in minimum essential medium (Eagle) plus Dextran or when DMSO was dissolved in human albumin plus sucrose. DMSO was found to be toxic at 4 degrees C in pure serum and in Dulbecco's medium.
Insights
Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) can cause latent cell damage in human corneas at 31°C. However, DMSO is safe for corneal preservation at 4°C when formulated with specific media like dextran or sucrose solutions.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Cell Biology
- Cryobiology
Background:
- Human cadaver corneas are vital for transplantation.
- Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is a cryoprotective agent used in tissue preservation.
- Understanding DMSO's toxicity is crucial for optimizing corneal storage protocols.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential for latent cell damage in human corneas exposed to DMSO.
- To evaluate the effect of temperature and medium composition on DMSO-induced corneal cell toxicity.
Main Methods:
- Human cadaver corneas were obtained post-mortem and maintained in organ culture.
- Corneas were exposed to a stepwise gradient of DMSO concentrations (2-8%) at varying temperatures.
- Endothelial cell damage was assessed by observing morphological changes and cell expulsion.
Main Results:
- DMSO induced latent cell damage in corneal endothelial cells at 31°C.
- No significant cell damage was observed at 4°C when DMSO was dissolved in Minimum Essential Medium (Eagle) with Dextran or in human albumin with sucrose.
- DMSO exhibited toxicity at 4°C when dissolved in pure serum or Dulbecco's medium.
Conclusions:
- DMSO can cause sub-lethal damage to corneal endothelial cells at physiological temperatures.
- Low temperatures (4°C) mitigate DMSO toxicity, especially when combined with specific cryoprotective formulations.
- Optimized formulations and low-temperature storage are essential for preserving corneal tissue viability during preservation.