Concise Review: An Update on the Culture of Human Corneal Endothelial Cells for Transplantation

Abstract

Abstract The cornea forms the front window of the eye, enabling the transmission of light to the retina through a crystalline lens. Many disorders of the cornea lead to partial or total blindness, and therefore corneal transplantation becomes mandatory. Recently, selective corneal layer (as opposed to full thickness) transplantation has become popular because this leads to earlier rehabilitation and visual outcomes. Corneal endothelial disorders are a common cause of corneal disease and transplantation. Corneal endothelial transplantation is successful but limited worldwide because of lower donor corneal supply. Alternatives to corneal tissue for endothelial transplantation therefore require immediate attention. The field of human corneal endothelial culture for transplantation is rapidly emerging as a possible viable option. This manuscript provides an update regarding these developments. Significance The cornea is the front clear window of the eye. It needs to be kept transparent for normal vision. It is formed of various layers of which the posterior layer (the endothelium) is responsible for the transparency of the cornea because it allows the transport of ions and solutes to and from the other layers of the cornea. Corneal blindness that results from the corneal endothelial dysfunction can be treated using healthy donor tissues. There is a huge demand for human donor corneas but limited supply, and therefore there is a need to identify alternatives that would reduce this demand. Research is underway to understand the isolation techniques for corneal endothelial cells, culturing these cells in the laboratory, and finding possible options to transplant these cells in the patients. This review article is an update on the recent developments in this field.