Purpose: We cultured human ciliary muscle [HCM] cells to study their growth, ultrastructure, immunohistochemistry and functional characters.
Methods: HCM cells from 10 young donor eyes were cultured with collagenase IV digestion procedures in vitro, the cells were identified by eletronmicroscope and immunohistochemistry assay, their function were studied by single-cell-contraction assay.
Results: The cells were passed and grew in Hill-Valley pattern after conflunet; abundant filaments were presented under electronmicroscope. In Desmin protein immunohistochemistry study, the cultured cells were stained positive; in tissue sections, HCM cells stained positive, vascular smooth muscle stained positive weakly, but fibroblast cells and endothelial cells stained negative. 10(-3) M Carbachol could induce the cultured cells contract, this effect was antagonized by 10(-3) M Atropine.
Conclusion: We successfully cultured HCM cells, which were able to contract.