Development of methods to regenerate corneal stroma applicable to canine medicine

• Project/Area Number: 24658269
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Clinical veterinary science
• Research Institution: University of Miyazaki
• Principal Investigator: NAGANOBU Kiyokazu 宮崎大学, 農学部, 教授 (40264353)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Project Status: Completed (Fiscal Year 2014)
• Budget Amount: ¥4,160,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,200,000、Indirect Cost: ¥960,000); Fiscal Year 2014: ¥650,000 (Direct Cost: ¥500,000、Indirect Cost: ¥150,000); Fiscal Year 2013: ¥1,040,000 (Direct Cost: ¥800,000、Indirect Cost: ¥240,000); Fiscal Year 2012: ¥2,470,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,900,000、Indirect Cost: ¥570,000)
• Keywords: 獣医臨床 / 角膜実質 / ウサギ / 角膜 / 獣医

Outline of Final Research Achievements

I evaluated methods treating corneal ulceration by filling the defective part of the cornea and regenerating the corneal stroma. In a rabbit corneal ulcer model, a commercially available product derived from pigs was sutured in place to fill the defective part of the corneal epithelium and stroma. Corneal transparency increased as time went by. Stromal regeneration may have occurred by the epithelium covering the product and then stroma regenerating underneath the epithelium; alternatively, the epithelium may have grown under the product, then the stroma regenerated underneath the epithelium. Because in some cases the product disappeared after several days, it would be useful to apply a nictitating membrane or conjunctival flap after the product was sutured in place.