The number of HLA-DR-positive cells in fresh human corneoscleral discs and in those stored for grafting under hypothermic conditions or organ culture were compared. A marked decrease in the number of HLA-DR-positive cells occurred after 7 days of organ culture, while a less pronounced decline was observed under hypothermic conditions.
Fourteen days of organ culture storage led to the complete absence of HLA-DR-positive cells in the peripheral epithelium, whereas in hypothermic storage no positive cells were found in the periphery after 21 days..