fibrin and Eye-Burns

The purpose of this work is to describe the use of Fibrin-Plasma Rich in Growth Factors (PRGF) membranes for the treatment of a rabbit alkali-burn lesion. For this purpose, an alkali-burn lesion was induced in 15 rabbits. A week later, clinical events were evaluated and rabbits were divided into five treatment groups: rabbits treated with medical treatment, with a fibrin-PRGF membrane cultured with autologous or heterologous rabbit Limbal Epithelial Progenitor Cells (LEPCs), with a fibrin-PRGF membrane in a Simple Limbal Epithelial Transplantation and with a fibrin-PRGF membrane without cultured LEPCs. After 40 days of follow-up, corneas were subjected to histochemical examination and immunostaining against corneal or conjunctival markers. Seven days after alkali-burn lesion, it was observed that rabbits showed opaque cornea, new blood vessels across the limbus penetrating the cornea and epithelial defects. At the end of the follow-up period, an improvement of the clinical parameters analyzed was observed in transplanted rabbits. However, only rabbits transplanted with cultured LEPCs were positive for corneal markers. Otherwise, rabbits in the other three groups showed positive staining against conjunctival markers. In conclusion, fibrin-PRGF membrane improved the chemically induced lesions. Nonetheless, only fibrin-PRGF membranes cultured with rabbit LEPCs were able to restore the corneal surface.

Topics: Animals; Autografts; Burns, Chemical; Epithelial Cells; Eye Burns; Fibrin; Limbus Corneae; Plasma; Rabbits; Stem Cell Transplantation; Stem Cells

Topics: Aged; Alkalies; Burns, Chemical; Cells, Cultured; Combined Modality Therapy; Corneal Diseases; Corneal Topography; Eye Burns; Fibrin; Humans; Lasers, Excimer; Limbus Corneae; Male; Photorefractive Keratectomy; Stem Cell Transplantation; Stem Cells; Transplantation, Autologous

Ocular burns cause depletion of limbal stem cells, which leads to corneal opacification and visual loss. Autologous cultured epithelial cells can restore damaged corneas, but this technology is still developing. We sought to establish a culture system that allows preservation of limbal stem cells and preparation of manageable epithelial sheets and to investigate whether such cultures can permanently restore total limbal stem cell deficiency.. We selected a homogeneous group of patients whose limbal cell deficiency was evaluated by scoring the gravity of the clinical picture and the keratin expression pattern. Stem cells, obtained from the limbus of the contralateral eye, were cultivated onto a fibrin substrate and their preservation was evaluated by clonal analysis. Fibrin cultures were grafted onto damaged corneas.. Fibrin-cultured limbal stem cells were successful in 14 of 18 patients. Re-epithelialization occurred within the first week. Inflammation and vascularization regressed within the first 3-4 weeks. By the first month, the corneal surface was covered by a transparent, normal-looking epithelium. At 12-27 months follow-up, corneal surfaces were clinically and cytologically stable. Three patients had a penetrating keratoplasty approximately 1 year after restoration of their corneal surface. Their visual acuity improved from light perception or counting fingers to 0.8-1.0.. Preservation of limbal stem cells in culture gives new perspectives on the treatment of ocular disorders characterized by complete limbal stem cell deficiency. The multicenter nature of this study and the handiness and ease of long-distance transportation of the fibrin-cultured epithelial sheets suggest that this technology can now be widely applied.

Topics: 3T3 Cells; Adult; Animals; Cell Culture Techniques; Cells, Cultured; Cornea; Corneal Transplantation; Eye Burns; Female; Fibrin; Functional Laterality; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; Humans; Keratinocytes; Limbus Corneae; Male; Mice; Middle Aged; Transplantation, Autologous

The study includes 43 cases of conjunctival grafting in chemical burns and traumatic pterygium. Resorbable Bioplast fibrin film was used as a readily available, biocompatible conjunctival subsitute. The implant was absorbed and the site occupied by fresh conjunctival tissue in a few weeks. The composition of tear proteins was restored to normal as fast as after free conjunctival grafting. The results were also satisfactory in terms of cosmetics.

Topics: Biocompatible Materials; Bioprosthesis; Burns, Chemical; Conjunctiva; Eye Burns; Female; Fibrin; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Male; Proteins; Pterygium; Tears

Topics: Burns, Chemical; Burns, Electric; Eye Burns; Fibrin; Fibrin Foam; Humans