Superiority of Mature Differentiated Cultured Human Corneal Endothelial Cell Injection Therapy for Corneal Endothelial Failure
Morio Ueno, Munetoyo Toda, Kohsaku Numa, Hiroshi Tanaka, Kojiro Imai, John Bush, Satoshi Teramukai, Naoki Okumura, Noriko Koizumi, Akihisa Yamamoto, Motomu Tanaka, Chie Sotozono, Junji Hamuro, Shigeru Kinoshita
Abstract
PURPOSE: To investigate the safety and efficacy of cultured human corneal endothelial cell (hCEC) injection therapy with mature differentiated (mature) cell subpopulations (SPs) for corneal endothelial failure (CEF). DESIGN: Comparative, interventional case series. METHODS: This study involved 18 eyes with CEF that underwent cultured hCEC injection therapy, categorized into 2 groups: (1) 11 eyes administered a relatively lower proportion (0.1 to 76.3%) of mature cell SPs (group 1 [Gr1]), and (2) 7 eyes administered a relatively higher proportion (>90%) of mature cell SPs (group 2 [Gr2]). From 1 week to 3 years postoperation, corneal endothelial cell (CEC) density (CECD), central corneal thickness (CCT), and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were recorded, and the CEC parameter's "spring constant" was calculated. The proportion of mature SPs was evaluated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis based on cell-surface markers. RESULTS: ) (P < .001), and the spring constant verified the superiority of the mature cultured hCECs. From 24 weeks through 3 years postoperation, the median percentage of CECD decrease was 3.2% in Gr2 and 23.6% in Gr1 (P < .005). CCT recovery was prompt and constant in Gr2, while diverse in Gr1. No adverse events were observed. CONCLUSION: Our findings showed that mature cell SPs for hCEC injection therapy provide rapid recovery of CCT, better CECD, and low CECD attrition over 3 years postsurgery.