Short-Term Results Analysis in the Allogenic Transplantation of Limbal Stem Cells Expanded on Amniotic Membrane in Patients with Bilateral Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency

Purpose: The objective of this study was to describe the short-term results of allogenic transplantation of limbal stem cells expanded on amniotic membrane for the ocular surface reconstruction. Methods: Prospective nonrandomized, nonmasked study in a single ophthalmological center. Ten patients with bilateral total limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) were included. Expression and presence of ABCB5 and Delta p63 alpha in amniotic membrane-cultured limbal epithelial stem cells were analyzed, in relationship with clinical changes after allogenic transplantation. An objective evaluation was performed to determine corneal transparency and superficial vascularization. Results: In a median follow-up time of 11.6 months, 7 patients (70%) were considered as failure compared with the preoperative status. ABCB5 and Delta p63 alpha are expressed in similar amount in the limbal epithelial cells expanded in vitro and transplanted in patients with bilateral LSCD. Conclusions: Transplantation of allogenic epithelial limbal cells expanded in amniotic membrane could be considered in patients with LSCD due to burns or congenital etiologies such as aniridia, but its benefit is limited for patients with immunologic diseases.