Vortex or whorl formation of cultured human corneal epithelial cells induced by magnetic fields

Abstract

The terms 'vortex keratopathy' and 'hurricane keratopathy' describe two similar conditions affecting the corneal surface. In the former, a vortex or whorl pattern is seen on the corneal surface and is due to the deposition of substances such as pigment, iron or drugs in the epithelial cells. In the latter, a similar pattern is presented by migrating epithelial cells but, unlike the former, the pattern is rendered more visible by fluorescein staining. Both represent the migratory pattern of normal epithelial cells which is otherwise not visible due to the slow rate of epithelial turnover and migration. The whorl pattern has a clockwise predisposition in the majority of cases and is hypothesised to be due to the influence of ocular electro-magnetic fields on the migrating epithelial cells. In this study we tested in vitro the effect of static magnetic fields on corneal epithelial cells. We were able to reproduce dramatic vortex or whorl patterns in response to magnetic fields, but without preferential migration towards the North or South Pole.

Clonal analysis of patterns of growth, stem cell activity, and cell movement during the development and maintenance of the murine corneal epithelium

“…The resulting whorled pattern of corneal abnormality in heterozygous females is presumably a consequence of heterogeneity of expression in limbal stem cell clones (functional mosaicism for ␣-galactosidase expression), similar to the phenomenon described in this study. In reported cases of vortex keratopathy, the whorls always turn clockwise, and it has been suggested that this finding is in response to electrical fields across the corneal surface (Dua et al, 1993(Dua et al, , 1996. In contrast, in our model, both clockwise and counterclockwise whorls were observed, apparently randomly with respect to left and right eyes, but only in the very centre of the cornea.…”

“…Although this is often the case, we also found that it is not unusual for some stripes to peter out before this point (e.g., Fig. 2E) and, conversely, for other stripes to overshoot and form swirling patterns not unlike those that may be seen in culture (Dua et al, 1996). Clearly, the regulation of the X, Y, Z process is not perfect, possibly reflecting its ability to respond to corneal damage and maintain an intact corneal epithelium.…”

In vivo confocal microscopy in hydroxychloroquine-induced keratopathy

“…They give rise to undegradable inclusion bodies [9]. The whorl-like pattern may result from the centripetal migration of deposit-laden limbal epithelial cells [4]. Corneal deposits seldom affect visual acuity, and typically resolve once the medication is stopped [7].…”

<i>Mycobacterium abscessus</i> Keratitis after LASIK with IntraLase^® Femtosecond Laser

“…This keratopathy represents the migratory pattern of normal epithelial cells, which is otherwise not visible due to the slow rate of epithelial turnover and migration [19. ]Aminoquinolones have been reported to cause whorl pattern keratopathy (vortex keratopathy) [20.]…”