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Br J Ophthalmol 2004;88:1280-1284 doi:10.1136/bjo.2003.038497
  • Clinical science
    • Extended reports

Transplantation of cultivated autologous oral mucosal epithelial cells in patients with severe ocular surface disorders

  1. T Nakamura1,
  2. T Inatomi1,
  3. C Sotozono1,
  4. T Amemiya2,
  5. N Kanamura2,
  6. S Kinoshita1
  1. 1Department of Ophthalmology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
  2. 2Department of Division of Dentistry, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
  1. Correspondence to: Dr T Nakamura Department of Ophthalmology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kawaramachi Hirokoji, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-0841 Japan; tnakamurophth.kpu-m.ac.jp
  • Accepted 1 February 2004

Abstract

Background/aims: To determine outcomes of transplants of cultivated autologous oral epithelial cells in patients with severe ocular surface disorders.

Methods: The eyes (n = 6) of four patients with Stevens-Johnson syndrome (three eyes) or chemical burns (three eyes) were studied. Autologous oral epithelial cells, grown for 2–3 weeks on a denuded amniotic membrane carrier in the presence of 3T3 fibroblasts, were air lifted. The resultant sheet was transplanted onto the damaged eye, and acceptance of the sheet by the corneal surface was confirmed 48 hours after surgery. The success of ocular surface reconstruction, graft survival, changes in visual acuity, and postoperative complications were assessed and the quality of the cultivated oral epithelial sheet was evaluated histologically.

Results: At 48 hours after transplant, the entire corneal surface of all six eyes was free of epithelial defects indicating complete survival of the transplanted oral epithelium. Visual acuity was improved in all eyes. During follow up (mean 13.8 (SD 2.9) months), the corneal surface remained stable, although all eyes manifested mild peripheral neovascularisation.

Conclusions: Autologous oral epithelial cells grown on denuded amniotic membrane can be transplanted to treat severe ocular surface disorders.

Footnotes

  • Supported in part by Grants-in-Aid for scientific research from the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (13557145), a research grant from the Kyoto Foundation for the Promotion of Medical Science, the Intramural Research Fund of Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine.

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