PROCEDURE FOR LONG TERM CORNEAL CULTURE

摘要

A method for long-term multi-species cornea culture and preservation is provided. Excised mammalian corneas are preserved with structural integrity by filling the endothelial cavity with a plug material. Plugged corneas are sterile-cultured for more than 21 days via an air-interface culture where nutrients from a culture media are supplied to corneal tissue primarily through the plug. Plugged corneas are incubated in culture dishes with a customized media continuously in contact with the ocular sclera and corneal plug, and periodically bathing the corneal surface epithelia. An animal-alternative toxicology assay is also provided using excised porcine corneas capable of assessing ocular injury reversibility within 21 days. Further provided is a method of mammalian corneal preservation for excised human corneas extending their storage life to three to four weeks.