Elucidation of the migratory behaviour of the corneal endothelium

Miron, A. (2023)

Doctoral Thesis

The thesis focuses on the in vivo and in vitro behavior of corneal endothelial cells before and after endothelial keratoplasty. The first part of the project concentrates on the ECD decrease after DMEK and DMEK graft viability prior to transplantation. The second part focusses on regenerative strategies for the treatment of FECD by developing and applying in vitro cell migration assays. In vitro cell migration from DMEK grafts of various sizes and shapes are investigated in a 3D cell culture system aiming to identify critical parameters for the successful clinical application of corneal endothelial therapies.

• Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty
• Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy
• Corneal transplantation
• Endothelial cell density
• Cell viability
• Corneal clearance
• Peripheral endothelial cells
• Cell culture
• Gel matrix
• Cell migration

• All authors: Miron, A.
• Supervisor: Jager, M.J.
• Co-supervisor: Melles, G.R.J.; Oellerich, S.
• Committee: Claas, F.H.J.; Cheng, Y.Y.; Legali, N.; Cursiefen, C.
• Qualification: Doctor (dr.)
• Awarding Institution: Faculty of Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden University
• Date: 2023-03-09
• ISBN (print): 9789464692105
• Sponsorship: Cover design and printing of this thesis was generously provided by: Rotterdamse Stichting Blindenbelangen, Stichting Leids Oogheelkundig Ondersteuningsfonds (LOOF); Publication of this thesis was partially supported by: European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (grant number 667400 – ARREST BLINDNESS Consortium)