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Cheng KKW, Fingerhut L, Duncan S, Prajna NV, Rossi AG, Mills B. In vitro and ex vivo models of microbial keratitis: Present and future. Prog Retin Eye Res 2024; 102:101287. [PMID: 39004166 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2024.101287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2024] [Revised: 07/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
Microbial keratitis (MK) is an infection of the cornea, caused by bacteria, fungi, parasites, or viruses. MK leads to significant morbidity, being the fifth leading cause of blindness worldwide. There is an urgent requirement to better understand pathogenesis in order to develop novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to improve patient outcomes. Many in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo MK models have been developed and implemented to meet this aim. Here, we present current in vitro and ex vivo MK model systems, examining their varied design, outputs, reporting standards, and strengths and limitations. Major limitations include their relative simplicity and the perceived inability to study the immune response in these MK models, an aspect widely accepted to play a significant role in MK pathogenesis. Consequently, there remains a dependence on in vivo models to study this aspect of MK. However, looking to the future, we draw from the broader field of corneal disease modelling, which utilises, for example, three-dimensional co-culture models and dynamic environments observed in bioreactors and organ-on-a-chip scenarios. These remain unexplored in MK research, but incorporation of these approaches will offer further advances in the field of MK corneal modelling, in particular with the focus of incorporation of immune components which we anticipate will better recapitulate pathogenesis and yield novel findings, therefore contributing to the enhancement of MK outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelvin Kah Wai Cheng
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Institute of Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Leonie Fingerhut
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Institute of Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Sheelagh Duncan
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Institute of Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - N Venkatesh Prajna
- Department of Cornea and Refractive Surgery Services, Aravind Eye Hospital and Postgraduate Institute of Ophthalmology, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Adriano G Rossi
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Institute of Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Bethany Mills
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Institute of Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
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2
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Kalinowski MJ, Hartigan DR, Lojek NM, Buchholz BO, Ghezzi CE. Underscoring the effect of swab type, workflow, and positive sample order on swab pooling for COVID-19 surveillance testing. Sci Rep 2023; 13:7174. [PMID: 37138045 PMCID: PMC10155136 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-34337-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Sample pooling is a promising strategy to facilitate COVID-19 surveillance testing for a larger population in comparison to individual single testing due to resource and time constraints. Increased surveillance testing capacity will reduce the likelihood of outbreaks as the general population is returning to work, school, and other gatherings. We have analyzed the impact of three variables on the effectiveness of pooling test samples: swab type, workflow, and positive sample order. We investigated the performance of several commercially available swabs (Steripack polyester flocked, Puritan nylon flocked, Puritan foam) in comparison to a new injected molded design (Yukon). The bench-top performance of collection swab was conducted with a previously developed anterior nasal cavity tissue model, based on a silk-glycerol sponge to mimic soft tissue mechanics and saturated with a physiologically relevant synthetic nasal fluid spiked with heat-inactivated SARS-CoV-2. Overall, we demonstrated statistically significant differences in performance across the different swab types. A characterization of individual swab uptake (gravimetric analysis) and FITC microparticle release suggests that differences in absorbance and retention drive the observed differences in Ct of the pooled samples. We also proposed two distinct pooling workflows to encompass different community collection modes and analyzed the difference in resulting positive pools as an effect of workflow, swab type, and positive sample order. Overall, swab types with lower volume retention resulted in reduced false negative occurrence, also observed for collection workflows with limited incubation times. Concurrently, positive sample order did have a significant impact on pooling test outcome, particularly in the case of swab type with great volume retention. We demonstrated that the variables investigated here affect the results of pooled COVID-19 testing, and therefore should be considered while designing pooled surveillance testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxwell J Kalinowski
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Massachusetts-Lowell, 1 University Avenue, Lowell, MA, 01854, USA
| | - Devon R Hartigan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Massachusetts-Lowell, 1 University Avenue, Lowell, MA, 01854, USA
| | - Neal M Lojek
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Massachusetts-Lowell, 1 University Avenue, Lowell, MA, 01854, USA
| | - Bryan O Buchholz
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Massachusetts-Lowell, 1 University Avenue, Lowell, MA, 01854, USA
| | - Chiara E Ghezzi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Massachusetts-Lowell, 1 University Avenue, Lowell, MA, 01854, USA.
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Hartigan D, Adelfio M, Shutt ME, Jones SM, Patel S, Marchand JT, McGuinness PD, Buchholz BO, Ghezzi CE. In Vitro Nasal Tissue Model for the Validation of Nasopharyngeal and Midturbinate Swabs for SARS-CoV-2 Testing. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:12193-12201. [PMID: 35449955 PMCID: PMC9016850 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c00587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Large-scale population testing is a key tool to mitigate the spread of respiratory pathogens, such as the current COVID-19 pandemic, where swabs are used to collect samples in the upper airways (e.g., nasopharyngeal and midturbinate nasal cavities) for diagnostics. However, the high volume of supplies required to achieve large-scale population testing has posed unprecedented challenges for swab manufacturing and distribution, resulting in a global shortage that has heavily impacted testing capacity worldwide and prompted the development of new swabs suitable for large-scale production. Newly designed swabs require rigorous preclinical and clinical validation studies that are costly and time-consuming (i.e., months to years long); reducing the risks associated with swab validation is therefore paramount for their rapid deployment. To address these shortages, we developed a 3D-printed tissue model that mimics the nasopharyngeal and midturbinate nasal cavities, and we validated its use as a new tool to rapidly test swab performance. In addition to the nasal architecture, the tissue model mimics the soft nasal tissue with a silk-based sponge lining, and the physiological nasal fluid with asymptomatic and symptomatic viscosities of synthetic mucus. We performed several assays comparing standard flocked and injection-molded swabs. We quantified the swab pickup and release and determined the effect of viral load and mucus viscosity on swab efficacy by spiking the synthetic mucus with heat-inactivated SARS-CoV-2 virus. By molecular assay, we found that injected molded swabs performed similarly or superiorly in comparison to standard flocked swabs, and we underscored a viscosity-dependent difference in cycle threshold values between the asymptomatic and symptomatic mucuses for both swabs. To conclude, we developed an in vitro nasal tissue model that corroborated previous swab performance data from clinical studies; this model will provide to researchers a clinically relevant, reproducible, safe, and cost-effective validation tool for the rapid development of newly designed swabs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devon
R. Hartigan
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, University of
Massachusetts—Lowell, 1 University Avenue, Lowell, Massachusetts 01854, United States
| | - Miryam Adelfio
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, University of
Massachusetts—Lowell, 1 University Avenue, Lowell, Massachusetts 01854, United States
| | - Molly E. Shutt
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, University of
Massachusetts—Lowell, 1 University Avenue, Lowell, Massachusetts 01854, United States
| | - Stephanie M. Jones
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, University of
Massachusetts—Lowell, 1 University Avenue, Lowell, Massachusetts 01854, United States
| | - Shreya Patel
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, University of
Massachusetts—Lowell, 1 University Avenue, Lowell, Massachusetts 01854, United States
| | - Joshua T. Marchand
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, University of
Massachusetts—Lowell, 1 University Avenue, Lowell, Massachusetts 01854, United States
| | - Pamela D. McGuinness
- Massachusetts
Medical Device Development Center (M2D2), University of Massachusetts—Lowell, 110 Canal St. Lowell, Massachusetts 01852, United States
| | - Bryan O. Buchholz
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, University of
Massachusetts—Lowell, 1 University Avenue, Lowell, Massachusetts 01854, United States
| | - Chiara E. Ghezzi
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, University of
Massachusetts—Lowell, 1 University Avenue, Lowell, Massachusetts 01854, United States
- E-mail:
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The Communication between Ocular Surface and Nasal Epithelia in 3D Cell Culture Technology for Translational Research: A Narrative Review. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222312994. [PMID: 34884799 PMCID: PMC8657734 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222312994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Revised: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
There is a lack of knowledge regarding the connection between the ocular and nasal epithelia. This narrative review focuses on conjunctival, corneal, ultrastructural corneal stroma, and nasal epithelia as well as an introduction into their interconnections. We describe in detail the morphology and physiology of the ocular surface, the nasolacrimal ducts, and the nasal cavity. This knowledge provides a basis for functional studies and the development of relevant cell culture models that can be used to investigate the pathogenesis of diseases related to these complex structures. Moreover, we also provide a state-of-the-art overview regarding the development of 3D culture models, which allow for addressing research questions in models resembling the in vivo situation. In particular, we give an overview of the current developments of corneal 3D and organoid models, as well as 3D cell culture models of epithelia with goblet cells (conjunctiva and nasal cavity). The benefits and shortcomings of these cell culture models are discussed. As examples for pathogens related to ocular and nasal epithelia, we discuss infections caused by adenovirus and measles virus. In addition to pathogens, also external triggers such as allergens can cause rhinoconjunctivitis. These diseases exemplify the interconnections between the ocular surface and nasal epithelia in a molecular and clinical context. With a final translational section on optical coherence tomography (OCT), we provide an overview about the applicability of this technique in basic research and clinical ophthalmology. The techniques presented herein will be instrumental in further elucidating the functional interrelations and crosstalk between ocular and nasal epithelia.
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Jameson JF, Pacheco MO, Nguyen HH, Phelps EA, Stoppel WL. Recent Advances in Natural Materials for Corneal Tissue Engineering. Bioengineering (Basel) 2021; 8:161. [PMID: 34821727 PMCID: PMC8615221 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering8110161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Given the incidence of corneal dysfunctions and diseases worldwide and the limited availability of healthy, human donors, investigators are working to generate engineered cellular and acellular therapeutic approaches as alternatives to corneal transplants from human cadavers. These engineered strategies aim to address existing complications with human corneal transplants, including graft rejection, infection, and complications resulting from surgical methodologies. The main goals of these research endeavors are to (1) determine ideal mechanical properties, (2) devise methodologies to improve the efficacy of engineered corneal grafts and cell-based therapies, and (3) optimize transplantation of engineered tissue structures in the eye. Thus, recent innovations have sought to address these challenges through both in vitro and in vivo studies. This review covers recent work aimed at evaluating engineered materials, potential therapeutic cells, and the resulting cell-material interactions that lead to optimal corneal graft properties. Furthermore, we discuss promising strategies in corneal tissue engineering techniques and in vivo studies in animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie F. Jameson
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; (J.F.J.); (M.O.P.)
| | - Marisa O. Pacheco
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; (J.F.J.); (M.O.P.)
| | - Henry H. Nguyen
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA;
| | - Edward A. Phelps
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA;
| | - Whitney L. Stoppel
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; (J.F.J.); (M.O.P.)
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García-Posadas L, Diebold Y. Three-Dimensional Human Cell Culture Models to Study the Pathophysiology of the Anterior Eye. Pharmaceutics 2020; 12:E1215. [PMID: 33333869 PMCID: PMC7765302 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics12121215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent decades, the establishment of complex three-dimensional (3D) models of tissues has allowed researchers to perform high-quality studies and to not only advance knowledge of the physiology of these tissues but also mimic pathological conditions to test novel therapeutic strategies. The main advantage of 3D models is that they recapitulate the spatial architecture of tissues and thereby provide more physiologically relevant information. The eye is an extremely complex organ that comprises a large variety of highly heterogeneous tissues that are divided into two asymmetrical portions: the anterior and posterior segments. The anterior segment consists of the cornea, conjunctiva, iris, ciliary body, sclera, aqueous humor, and the lens. Different diseases in these tissues can have devastating effects. To study these pathologies and develop new treatments, the use of cell culture models is instrumental, and the better the model, the more relevant the results. Thus, the development of sophisticated 3D models of ocular tissues is a significant challenge with enormous potential. In this review, we present a comprehensive overview of the latest advances in the development of 3D in vitro models of the anterior segment of the eye, with a special focus on those that use human primary cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura García-Posadas
- Instituto de Oftalmobiología Aplicada (IOBA), Universidad de Valladolid, 47011 Valladolid, Spain;
| | - Yolanda Diebold
- Instituto de Oftalmobiología Aplicada (IOBA), Universidad de Valladolid, 47011 Valladolid, Spain;
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
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Pollard RE, McKay TB, Ford A, Cairns DM, Georgakoudi I, Kaplan DL. Induction of Irritation and Inflammation in a 3D Innervated Tissue Model of the Human Cornea. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2020; 6:6886-6895. [PMID: 33320598 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.0c01136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Detection of slight changes in the chemical, thermal, and physical environments of the ocular surface is necessary to protect eyesight. The cornea, as the most densely innervated peripheral tissue in the body, can be damaged as a result of caustic chemical exposure. Such damage can be painful and debilitating, thus underscoring the need to understand mechanisms of ocular irritation. Both ethical and translational limitations regarding the use of animal subjects in part drive the need to develop relevant in vitro cell and tissue models that emulate the physiology of the human cornea. In this study, we utilized our 3D in vitro cornea-like tissue model to study the effects of irritation mediated by transient receptor potential (TRP) channels vanilloid 1 and ankyrin 1 (TRPV1; TRPA1) in response to allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) stimulation. Changes in gene expression were analyzed to characterize wound healing responses of the epithelial, stromal, and neuronal cell populations in the corneal tissue models. Key findings of the study include indications of wound healing, such as stromal myofibroblast differentiation and epithelial barrier re-establishment, amplification of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and downstream ECM protein remodeling due to irritation with the addition of sensory innervation. This study further establishes this in vitro tissue model as a useful tool for studying corneal irritation in vitro in a holistic manner with promise as a novel and sensitive tool for studying chemical exposures and subsequent responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel E Pollard
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, 4 Colby St, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, United States
| | - Tina B McKay
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, 4 Colby St, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, United States
| | - Andrew Ford
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, 4 Colby St, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, United States
| | - Dana M Cairns
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, 4 Colby St, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, United States
| | - Irene Georgakoudi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, 4 Colby St, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, United States
| | - David L Kaplan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, 4 Colby St, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, United States
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Shiju TM, Carlos de Oliveira R, Wilson SE. 3D in vitro corneal models: A review of current technologies. Exp Eye Res 2020; 200:108213. [PMID: 32890484 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2020.108213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) in vitro models are excellent tools for studying complex biological systems because of their physiological similarity to in vivo studies, cost-effectiveness and decreased reliance on animals. The influence of tissue microenvironment on the cells, cell-cell interaction and the cell-matrix interactions can be elucidated in 3D models, which are difficult to mimic in 2D cultures. In order to develop a 3D model, the required cell types are derived from the tissues or stem cells. A 3D tissue/organ model typically includes all the relevant cell types and the microenvironment corresponding to that tissue/organ. For instance, a full corneal 3D model is expected to have epithelial, stromal, endothelial and nerve cells, along with the extracellular matrix and membrane components associated with the cells. Although it is challenging to develop a corneal 3D model, several attempts have been made and various technologies established which closely mimic the in vivo environment. In this review, three major technologies are highlighted: organotypic cultures, organoids and 3D bioprinting. Also, several combinations of organotypic cultures, such as the epithelium and stroma or endothelium and neural cultures are discussed, along with the disease relevance and potential applications of these models. In the future, new biomaterials will likely promote better cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions in organotypic corneal cultures.
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