Effect of donor age on morphologic variation of cultured human corneal endothelial cells

Purpose. To examine the effect of donor age on the morphologic variation of cultured human corneal endothelial cells (HCEC). Methods. HCEC were obtain ed from the remaining corneoscleral rims of seven human corneas used for pe netrating keratoplasty. The donor age ranged from 2 to 75 years. Primary cu ltures were established from explants of the endothelial cell layer, includ ing the Descemet's membrane, and were propagated on culture dishes coated w ith bovine corneal endothelial extracellular matrix. At the fourth passage, frequency distribution of cell area in the confluent monolayer was calcula ted and the effect of donor age on cell area was analyzed. Results. The per centage of HCEC with cell area over 2000 mum(2) significantly increased wit h donor age (r = 0.935, p = 0.0007). Conclusion. Cultured HCEC established from older donor tissue display greater heterogeneity. The use of HCEC from younger donors may be preferable to maximize the benefits of HCEC transpla ntation.