Takashi Sakimoto

Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression on human corneal epithelial outgrowth from limbal explant in culture

Aim: To investigate the relation between intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 expression and cellular dynamics occurring concomitantly with epithelial cell movement. Methods: Outgrowing epithelial sheets of human corneal epithelial (HCE) cells from cultured limbal explants were examined by immunoperoxidase staining with anti-ICAM-1 monoclonal antibody. An adhesion assay was performed using the epithelial sheets of HCE cells and an Epstein-Barr virus (EVB) infected B cell lymphoma cell line (EVB+BJAB) expressing CD11a/CD18, a counter-receptor of ICAM-1. Also, the effect of calphostin C, a specific protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, on ICAM-1 expression on the outgrowing epithelial sheets of HCE cells was examined. Results: Strong positive staining for ICAM-1 was found predominantly on HCE cells in the marginal segment of the epithelial sheet, particularly on the cells at the leading edge. EBV+BJAB cells adhering to the HCE cells corresponded well to the area of ICAM-1 staining. Treatment of outgrowing epithelial sheets with calphostin C markedly decreased the ICAM-1 expression on the HCE cells. Conclusion: ICAM-1 is actively expressed on HCE cells in the marginal segment of the outgrowing epithelial sheets where there is active movement mediated through a PKC dependent mechanism, suggesting the role of ICAM-1 in epithelial cell motility such as the spreading and migration of cells.

Familial Case of Keratoconus With Corneal Granular Dystrophy

We report a familial case of keratoconus with corneal granular dystrophy. The mother and first son have both keratoconus and corneal granular dystrophy and the second son has keratoconus alone. The keratoconus in this family is thought to be an autosomal dominant or an X-linked inheritance pattern. Granular dystrophy is an autosomal dominant inheritance. This familial case suggests that the gene loci of the two diseases are close together or have a close relationship.

Acute hydrops in a host cornea after penetrating keratoplasty for keratoconus

This report highlights a rare case of acute hydrops in a host cornea that developed 7 years after penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) for keratoconus. We obtained detailed clinical findings of the condition by anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT). We believe this is the first report of hydrops localized in the host cornea without causing edema in the graft. In addition, its onset was the earliest observed after keratoplasty [1–4].