Protective Effects of Trehalose on the Corneal Epithelial Cells

Figure 2

(a) Light micrograph from a semithin section of the corneal epithelium obtained with alcohol delamination in TUE. Superficial cells show variable shape and optical density (arrow), basal cells have hyperchromic nuclei and large intercellular spaces (double arrow). Scale bar: 25 μm. (b) TEM micrograph of the corneal epithelium obtained with alcohol delamination in TUE. Superficial cells (S) show a reduced number of apical microfolds (arrow). In the wing cells (W) intracellular vesicles and slightly dilated intercellular spaces (∗) are evident. Basal cells (B) are irregular in their shape and size and show large intercellular spaces (∗) and a cytoplasm filled with vesicle (V). Many blebs (arrowhead), surrounded by granular material, are evident. Scale bar: 5 μm. (c) Light micrograph from a semithin section of the corneal epithelium in TTE. Both superficial and wing cells show normal shape and well-evident intercellular borders (arrow); basal cells have polygonal shape and many small intracytoplasmatic vesicles (double arrow). Scale bar: 25 μm. (d) TEM micrograph of the corneal epithelium in TTE. Superficial cells (S) show a normal flattened shape with well-evident apical microfolds (arrow). Wing cells (W) have uniform electron density and normal intercellular spaces (arrowhead). Basal cells (B) have variable electron density, polygonal shape, few cytoplasmatic vesicles (V), round nuclei (N), and small intercellular spaces (∗). Scale bar: 5 μm.