J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  1999 Jun;40(6):1473-1479.

Penetration of Acanthamoeba Lugdunensis into the Corneal Epithelium in Organ Cultured Human Cornea: A Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscopy Study

• Kim SM
• Hahn TW

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the process of Acanthamoeba penetration into the organ-cultured human cornea by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Human cornea was obtained through the eye bank of Catholic Medical Center and cultured in Optisol solution at at37degrees C. Acanthamoeba lugdunensis was cultured on non-nutrient agar plate and collected to make suspension in concentration of 1 x 106/ml.100 microliterof amoeba suspension was added to the epithelial surface of cultured cornea and each cornea was incubated for 48 and 120 hours. Each cornea was examined by scanning and transmission electron microscopy at each time point. In scanning electron microscopy, Acanthamoeba penetrated into the deep epithelial layer through the intercellular space with progressive epithelial breakdown. In transmission electron microscopically, Acanthamoebapene-trated through the intercellular space of the superficial corneal epithelium and reached to the basement membrane of basal corneal epithelium. Penetrating trophozoites had numerous electronense, mineral-like deposits in their cytoplasm and secreted enzyme-like materials. In conclusion, Acanthamoebae penetrated through the intercellular space of the corneal epithelium by their locomotion and migrated into the deep epithelial layer with secreation of enzyme-like materials and phagocytosis until they reached to the basement membrane of the basal corneal epithelium.

Keyword

Acanthamoeba Lugdunensis; Organ culture; Corneal epithelium

MeSH Terms

Acanthamoeba*
Agar
Amoeba
Basement Membrane
Cornea*
Cytoplasm
Epithelium, Corneal*
Extracellular Space
Eye Banks
Humans*
Locomotion
Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
Microscopy, Electron, Transmission*
Organ Culture Techniques
Phagocytosis
Trophozoites
Agar