Biology in vitro of corneal epithelium and endothelium.

Four main areas were explored: 1) the proper medium for culturing corneal tissue; 2) the effect of serum on tissue growth in vitro; 3) the interrelationships in vitro between corneal epithelium and endothelium, and 4) the biology of cultures of whole corneas (organ cultures). Modified Eagle's minimal essential medium (MEM) proved to be an excellent culture fluid. Corneal tissue could be grown in MEM without serum or clot, thus providing a defined culture medium. The biology in vitro of outgrowths of multilayered corneal epithelium and monolayered corneal endothelium are discussed. Contact inhibition between epithelium and endothelium is demonstrated in whole corneal (organ) cultures.