The Use of Bone Marrow Derived Mesencyhmal Stem Cells in Cornea Regeneration

1. Azlina Mokhtar¹
2. Ropilah Abdul Rahman²
3. Ruzymah Idrus³
4. Rohainah Che man³
5. Angela Ang³
6. Then Kong Yong²

¹Faculty of Medicine Islamic Science University of Malaysia
²Department of Ophthalmology National University of Malaysia
³Department of Tissue Engineering National University of Malaysia

PURPOSE To evaluate the use of autologous bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to treat corneal stroma defect in a rabbit model.

METHOD This study was an experimental nonrandomized interventional controlled animal study involving twenty one adult New Zealand White rabbits. Corneal deep lamellar dissection was created in three groups of rabbits and treated accordingly; Group I, Autologous bone marrow derived Mesencymal stem cells with autologous fibrin and human amniotic membrane; Group II, Autologous fibrin with human amniotic membrane without MSCs; Group III, No treatment. Clinical outcome was evaluated by corneal re-epithelization, corneal opacity, corneal thickness and histology.

RESULTS We successfully isolated MSCs from seven rabbits' bone marrow. The isolation based on the adherence property of bone marrow derived cells to the plastic of the cell culture plate. Our study demonstrated that MSCs participated in stromal regeneration as evidence by histological findings and increased corneal thickness. Complete re-epithelization was delay in MSCs treated group might be due to cell-cell contact inhibition and delayed stromal remodeling.

CONCLUSION Locally transplanted MSCs demonstrated its ability for stromal regeneration. The use of autologous MSCs offers a promising option for treating corneal disorder without the risk of immunorejection. Corneal stromal defect treated with MSCs showed an increase in thickness compared to the control. Although the corneal clarity was not achieved in this study, we believe that corneal stromal remodeling requires many months to years to regain its original optical quality. Longer study duration may eventually result in remodeling of the corneal stroma.