In Vitro Effect of Cyclosporin A on Corneal Endothelial Cells

Tchah, Hungwon

Abstract

Cyclosporin (CsA)is a potent immunosuppressive agent and is used for prevention of corneal graft rejection.In vitro effects of CsA on the cultured rabbit corneal endothelial cells and the rat corneal button were investigated. Rabbit corneal endothelial cells were cultured in the medium containing C s A (5 microgram/ml, 500ng/ml, 50ng/ml, or 5ng/ml)for 48hr.The incorporation of 3H-thymidine into cells was determined.Fresh corneal buttons were obtained from Lewis rats.Each button was divided into 4 quadrants and incubated in Optisol medium containing CsA, Cremophore (solvent of CsA), pred-nisolone 0.1 microgram/ml, or Optisol alone for 48hr.The above 4 different concen-trations of CsA were used in different corneal buttons.After incubation corneal buttons were stained with PAS and endothelial cells were stained with Alizarin red S.Results showed that thymidine counts were lower in these media containing CsA.Endothelial membrane was also disrupted in the media containing CsA > or=5 0 n g /ml.In conclusion, corneal medium contain-ing CsA may induce damage to the endothelium in vitro.