The effect of organ culture on human trabecular meshwork.

The effect of organ culture on the trabecular meshwork was studied in a series of human eyes using a perfusion culture system. One eye of a pair was cultured while the fellow eye was immediately fixed in glutaraldehyde. Culture periods ranged from 2 to 28 days, during which a mean intraocular pressure of 27 mmHg +/- 15 was maintained. The perfused culture medium appeared to leave the eye via Schlemm's canal and collector channels, mimicking the in vivo situation. The trabecular meshwork was well maintained with this system in 21 of 25 eyes. Cells remained in position on trabecular lamellae, cellular organelles usually remained normal, and the lamellae remained intact. Culture-induced changes were noted, with some cells developing intracytoplasmic lipid vacuoles and other cells developing swollen mitochondria. In addition, scattered focal cell necrosis was observed, most often in the uveal meshwork. Meshwork cellularity (nuclei:solid tissue) was determined with an image analysis system; there was an average cell loss of 20-40% in the cultured eyes as compared to their respective fellow control eyes. Overall, organ culture appears to maintain the human trabecular meshwork for at least 28 days, allowing controlled experimental studies to be performed.