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

Purpose This study compares the influence of different corneal preservation media on HLADR 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 Prom 15.3 +/- 4.1 LCs/ 0.25 mm(2) to 11.8 +/- 1.2 LCs/0.25 mm(2) (p<0.01) during preservation in McCarey-Kaufman medium, to 11.2 +/- 1.9 LCs/0.25mm(2) (p<0.01) during preservation in organ culture medium and to 127 +/- 3.4 LCs/0.25 mm(2) (p<0.01) during preservation in Optisol, A greater loss was detected after 7 days and we found a cell number of 1.6 +/- 1.1 LCs/0.25 mm(2) (p<0.001) after storage in organ culture medium and of 1.4 +/- 1.5 LCs/0.25 mm(2) (p<0.001 after storage in Optisol, The donor tissues entirely lacked HLADR positive LCs, regardless of the preservation medium used, when stored for up to 14 days. Conclusion 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.