Loss of corneal Langerhans cells during storage in organ culture medium, Optisol and McCarey-Kaufman medium

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Abstract
Purpose This study compares the influence of different corneal preservation media on HLA-DR positive corneal Langerhans cells (LCs). Methods Using fluorescence-associated immunohistochemistry, corneal sections were stained for HLA-DR antigens after preserving corneal-scleral discs in three different storage media: organ culture medium, Optisol and McCarey-Kaufman medium. HLA-DR positive LCs were present in corneal epithelium and upper stroma of fresh corneas. Results A storage period of even 3 days had a significant influence on the number of HLA-DR positive corneal LCs. The number of LCs decreased at the limbus from 15.3 ± 4.1 LCs/0.25 mm2 to 11.8 ± 1.2 LCs/0.25 mm2 (p2 (p2 (p2 (p2 (pConclusion These results demonstrate that loss of HLA-DR antigens is mainly related to storage period and is independent of the type of preservation medium and preservation temperature.