Fig. 6.

Pump function analysis of corneal endothelium equivalents by corneal swelling assay. Changes of corneal thickness were compared with fresh porcine corneas denuded of epithelium and APCM itself. Each value is the mean change of corneal thickness ± SD. Calcium free GBR solution could induce corneal swelling in fresh cornea group, APCM group and corneal endothelium equivalent group. When it was switched back to normal GBR solution, the corneal swelling regressed in both of fresh cornea and corneal endothelium equivalent group, but not in APCM group. Addition of ouabain to GBR solution dramatically inhibited the regression of corneal swelling in fresh cornea and corneal endothelium equivalent group by interfering with the pump-function of Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase.