Cultivation and Ultrastructural Investigation of Human Iris Pigment Epithelial Cells

Purpose; To study the human iris pigment epithelial cells cultivation in vitro. Methods: The iris pigment epithelial cells were isolated by scraping directly or by enzyme digestion and cultured in vitro. The cells were observed under the transmission electron microscope and analized by means of immunohistochemical assay.Results: The cells obtained by scraping were easier to grow and to be passaged than those obtained by enzyme digestion. The primary cells appeared multigonal and arranged in mono-layer. Abundant pigment granules were in the cytoplasm and diminished in succeeding generations . The maculae occludentes and desmosomes and microvilli which were characteristics of epithelial cells could be found under the electronmicroscope. The immunohistochemical assay showed positive reaction of keratin antigen in cultured cells.Conclusion: The human iris pigment epithelial cells could be cultured in vitro and the cells in primary generation some characteristics be preserved. Eye Science 1997; 13: 137 -

Purpose; To study the human iris pigment epithelial cells cultivation in vitro. Methods: The iris pigment epithelial cells were isolated by scraping directly or by enzyme digestion and cultured in vitro. The cells were observed under the transmission electron microscope and analized by means of immunohistochemical assay. Results: The cells obtained by scraping were easier to grow and to be passaged than those obtained by enzyme digestion. The primary cells appeared multigonal and arranged in mono-layer. Abundant pigment granules were in the cytoplasm and diminished in succeeding generations . The maculae occludentes and desmosomes and microvilli which were characteristics of epithelial cells could be found under the electronmicroscope. The immunohistochemical assay showed positive reaction of keratin antigen in cultured cells. Conclusion: The human iris pigment epithelial cells could be cultured in vitro and the cells in primary generation some characteristics be preserved. Eye Science 1997; 13: 137 - 140.