Distribution and Expression of the Adhesion Molecule CD44 on Human Corneal Grafts Is Not Altered by Chemotherapy

Abstract

Background/Aim: Acceptance of corneas from donors with a malignancy remains controversial, especially for donors with hematological malignancy. The aim of our study was to examine, for the first time in literature, any structural differences in the integrity of the corneal grafts from donors who have received and from those who have not received chemotherapy. Materials and Methods: The immunohistochemical expression of CD44 was examined in 12 corneal grafts obtained from 8 donors. Three grafts were obtained from 2 donors who had received chemotherapy and the rest were obtained from 6 donors who had not received any kind of chemotherapy. Results: Epithelial cells expressed the CD44 molecule in all grafts of both groups. No CD44 expression was noticed on endothelial cells or in the stroma. Conclusion: Tumorigenesis and the consequent chemotherapy did not affect the structure and integrity of the corneal tissue in the examined samples. We suggest that corneal grafts from cancer donors are safe and functionally equals to grafts obtained from non-cancer donors.