Separation and in vitro growth of mammalian corneal epithelial and endothelial cells

A double Rose chamber technique is described for simultaneously separating the endothelial and epithelial cells from the corneas of a variety of animals. Endothelial cells, although few in number at harvest, quickly grew into thriving cultures. Epithelial cells, although obtained in large numbers from the corneas, were more difficult to establish and grow. These two types of cells from one tissue differ greatly in culture and are useful materials for various comparative studies. Cells from X-irradiated animals produced multinucleated gaint cells and abnormal fibroblastic cells.