A corneal model for studying the interaction between the endothelium and sensitized lymphocytes.

We wished to develop a simple model for morphological studies on the interaction between the corneal endothelium and specifically sensitized lymphocytes. Rabbits were transplanted with orthotopic allogeneic skin or corneal grafts. After the onset of the transplantation reaction, lymphoid cells from the recipient's spleen or preauricular lymph nodes were harvested and placed on the endothelial surfaces of the donor and recipient corneas which were incubated in tissue culture medium at 37 degree C for 4 hours before being examined by vital staining or scanning electron microscopy. Compared to the recipient, the donor endothelium contained more lymphoid cell aggregates and more corneal cells were damaged. The in vitro model seemed suitable for studying the cytotoxic behaviour of sensitized lymphocytes confronting the corneal endothelium.