Corneal stroma

Corneal epithelium Corneal stroma Corneal endothelium Anterior chamber... 

These effects, specialized for the geometries and materials properties of the collagen-rich stroma and sclera, have been calculated in a paper by Edwards and Prausnitz [197], They also modeled diffusion across the corneal endothelium assuming that the major path was... 

One of the key parameters for correlating molecular structure and chemical properties with bioavailability has been transcorneal flux or, alternatively, the corneal permeability coefficient. The epithelium has been modeled as a lipid barrier (possibly with a limited number of aqueous pores that, for this physical model, serve as the equivalent of the extracellular space in a more physiological description) and the stroma as an aqueous barrier (Fig. 11). The endothelium is very thin and porous compared with the epithelium [189] and often has been ignored in the analysis, although mathematically it can be included as part of the lipid barrier. Diffusion through bilayer membranes of various structures has been modeled for some time [202] and adapted to ophthalmic applications more recently [203,204]. For a series of molecules of similar size, it was shown that the permeability increases with octa-nol/water distribution (or partition) coefficient until a plateau is reached. Modeling of this type of data has led to the earlier statement that drugs need to be both... 

Wu Z et al (2009) The use of phospholipase A(2) to prepare acellular porcine corneal stroma as a tissue engineering scaffold. Biomaterials 30(21) 3513-3522... 

Microscopically, the cornea shows a rather simple and multilayered structure that can be divided into six layers the epithelium, basement membrane, Bowman s layer, stroma, Descemet s membrane, and endothelium. The corneal tissue consists of three different cell types epithelial cells, keratocytes (corneal fibroblasts), and endothelial cells. The outermost corneal surface is covered with the preocular tear film, which is functionally associated with the cornea. The epithelial surface must be kept moist and smooth, a role played by the tear film in conjunction with a spreading function of the eyelids during blinking motions. Furthermore, the tear film provides a protection against infectious agents that may gain access into the eye. 

As another extracellular component in the cornea, the Bowman s layer is an acellular and amorphous band between the corneal epithelium and stroma. The layer is about 8-12 [im thick and consists of randomly arranged collagen fibers (types I and III) and proteoglycans. The physiological function of Bowman s layer is not yet completely understood, since not all animal species exhibit this membrane in the corneal structures, but an important role in the maintenance of the corneal epithelial structure is expected or probable, since a damaged Bowman s membrane usually results in scarring during wound repair [16],... 

In another approach, Parnigotto and coworkers reconstructed corneal structures in vitro by using corneal stroma containing keratocytes to which corneal epithelial cells from bovine primary cultures were overlaid [73], However, this particular corneal model did not contain an endothelial layer. This model was histochemically characterized and the toxicity of different surfactants was tested using MTT methods. This stroma-epithelium model has been reported to show a cornea-like morphology, where a multilayered epithelial barrier composed of basal cells (of a cuboidal shape) and superficial cells (of a flattened shape) is noted. Furthermore, the formation of a basement membrane equivalent and expression of the 64-kDa keratin were reported, indicating the presence of differentiated epithelial cells. The toxicity data for various surfactants obtained with this model correlate well with those seen by the Draize test [73], However, this corneal equivalent was not further validated or used as a model for permeation studies. 

In 1999, Germain and coworkers developed a corneal stroma-epithelium equivalent without endothelial cell coculture, using human primary cultures... 

In an accidental exposure, a blast of vapor that struck the eye of a student caused the epithelium to be lost from the cornea. There was no edema of the corneal stroma, and the eye was completely normal within 4 or 5 days the exposure was thought to be minimal. 

Pharmacokinetics Topical administration appears to produce effective concentrations within the corneal stroma, but not in intraocular fluid. Absorption from the Gl tract is very poor. Systemic absorption should not occur after topical administration. 

The acute pathologic effects of H on the eye include edematous clouding of the cornea and necrosis of corneal stroma. About 5 h later, infiltration by segmented leukocytes is noted at the sclero-comeal junction and in the corneal stroma. Healing usually occurs in several weeks, but the Injury may result in persistent or recurrent corneal ulceration and blindness. 

The corneal stroma also contains Schwann cells, surrounding the corneal axons, and immunocompetent cells (T andB lymphocytes, monocytes, and Langerhans cells). These latter cells are very numerous at the level of the limbus close to small vessels, but there are also a few of them at the level of the one third at the front of the central corneal stroma [4]. 

The amyelinic nervous fibers are to be found in the corneal stroma and also in the superficial epithelium, which is a noticeable ocular specificity. The nervous endings are to be found unconnected between the cells of the superficial epithelium and react with any contact, with chemical aggressions, with drought... 

Nevertheless, the stroma might also have some ability to regenerate the cornea. That is what the Thill and his assistant study [7] seems to demonstrate with the highlighting of a new population of repairing stem cells located inside the adult human corneal stroma. These cells might evolve toward the monocyte-macrophage specie or toward the ti broblast specie (keratocytes). 

These vessels end in arcade-like structures at the limbus. The corneal stroma is made of three different main layers that differ in density of collagen and type of packing. The Bowman s membrane of the anterior stroma is part of the basal membrane of the corneal epithelium and accounts for 5% of the thickness of the central 500-600 pm cornea. The corneal stroma consists of highly ordered, horizontally organized and noninterconnected coUagen I and X fibriUae that are kept in a hydrated state with a water content of 72-78% and an osmolarity of 420 mOsmol/kg [1]. 

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