목적 : 각막 상피 재생에 필요한 최소한의 윤부 조직의 양과 건안에 영향을 미치지 않는 윤부 공여의 범위를 확인하고자 하였다. 대상과 방법 : 9마리의 가토를 사용하여 한쪽눈에서 윤부의 수술적 제거를 통해 전체 윤부 결핍 상태를 유발하였고 반대쪽의 건안에서 첫째 군은 2시간씩 4시간 범위를 둘째 군은 2시간씩 6시간 범위를 셋째 군은 2시간씩 8시간 범위의 윤부를 채취하여 이식후 양막이식을 병행하였다. 술 후 60일 까지 세극등 현미경으로 공여안및 수여안에서의 치유정도를 관찰하였고, 면역 조직화학적 분석을 실시하였다. 결과 : 6시간이상 떼어내어 9시간이상 윤부를 이식한 둘째와 셋째군의 수여안에서 각막 상피의 재생및 cornea -specific keratin K3과 Transcription factor p63과 connexin 43을 관찰할 수 있었고 각 군의 공여안은 60일 후 정상적인 각막 상피의 재생이 일어났다. 결론 : 9시간 이상의 윤부 이식이 효과적이고 안전한 방법이며 2시간씩 8시간 정도의 윤부 공여는 건안에 영향을 미치지 않음을 알 수 있었다. <한안지 47(4):613-620, 2006>

Purpose: To investigate the minimal requirements of the limbal epithelium for successful limbal stem cell transplantation and the healing process. Methods: Nine rabbits were divided into 4, 6, and 8 clock-hour transplantation groups. Limbal autografts from the healthy fellow eye were transplanted to the iatrogenic damaged eye. The amniotic membrane served as a stem cell niche. Experimental corneas were evaluated by slit lamp examination and immunohistochemistry. Results: In the over 9 hours transplantation group, the healing process of the epithelium from the limbal stem cell was revealed and cornea-specific keratin k3, transcription factor p63, and connexin 43 were detected by immunohistochemistry. The normal corneal epithelium was regenerated after 60 days postoperatively in the fellow donor eye. Conclusions: Limbal cell transplantation of over 9 hours seems to be a safe and effective method in the treatment of severe ocular surface disorders. In addition, the donation of limbal epithelium for up to 8 hours did not affect the normal corneal regenerating capability. J Korean Ophthalmol Soc 47(4):613-620, 2006

Purpose: To investigate the minimal requirements of the limbal epithelium for successful limbal stem cell transplantation and the healing process. Methods: Nine rabbits were divided into 4, 6, and 8 clock-hour transplantation groups. Limbal autografts from the healthy fellow eye were transplanted to the iatrogenic damaged eye. The amniotic membrane served as a stem cell niche. Experimental corneas were evaluated by slit lamp examination and immunohistochemistry. Results: In the over 9 hours transplantation group, the healing process of the epithelium from the limbal stem cell was revealed and cornea-specific keratin k3, transcription factor p63, and connexin 43 were detected by immunohistochemistry. The normal corneal epithelium was regenerated after 60 days postoperatively in the fellow donor eye. Conclusions: Limbal cell transplantation of over 9 hours seems to be a safe and effective method in the treatment of severe ocular surface disorders. In addition, the donation of limbal epithelium for up to 8 hours did not affect the normal corneal regenerating capability. J Korean Ophthalmol Soc 47(4):613-620, 2006

Corneal epithelial stem cell, Limbal cell transplantation