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Looking into the Eyes—In Vitro Models for Ocular Research. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23169158. [PMID: 36012421 PMCID: PMC9409455 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23169158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal research undoubtedly provides scientists with virtually unlimited data but inflicts pain and suffering on animals. Currently, legislators and scientists alike are promoting alternative in vitro approaches allowing for an accurate evaluation of processes occurring in the body without animal sacrifice. Historically, one of the most infamous animal tests is the Draize test, mainly performed on rabbits. Even though this test was considered the gold standard for around 50 years, the Draize test fails to mimic human response mainly due to human and rabbit eye physiological differences. Therefore, many alternative assays were developed to evaluate ocular toxicity and drug effectiveness accurately. Here we review recent achievements in tissue engineering of in vitro 2D, 2.5D, 3D, organoid and organ-on-chip ocular models, as well as in vivo and ex vivo models in terms of their advantages and limitations.
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Bosch BM, Bosch-Rue E, Perpiñan-Blasco M, Perez RA. Design of functional biomaterials as substrates for corneal endothelium tissue engineering. Regen Biomater 2022; 9:rbac052. [PMID: 35958516 PMCID: PMC9362998 DOI: 10.1093/rb/rbac052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Corneal endothelium defects are one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide. The actual treatment is transplantation, which requires the use of human cadaveric donors, but it faces several problems, such as global shortage of donors. Therefore, new alternatives are being developed and, among them, cell therapy has gained interest in the last years due to its promising results in tissue regeneration. Nevertheless, the direct administration of cells may sometimes have limited success due to the immune response, hence requiring the combination with extracellular mimicking materials. In this review, we present different methods to obtain corneal endothelial cells from diverse cell sources such as pluripotent or multipotent stem cells. Moreover, we discuss different substrates in order to allow a correct implantation as a cell sheet and to promote an enhanced cell behavior. For this reason, natural or synthetic matrixes that mimic the native environment have been developed. These matrixes have been optimized in terms of their physicochemical properties, such as stiffness, topography, composition and transparency. To further enhance the matrixes properties, these can be tuned by incorporating certain molecules that can be delivered in a sustained manner in order to enhance biological behavior. Finally, we elucidate future directions for corneal endothelial regeneration, such as 3D printing, in order to obtain patient-specific substrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Begona M Bosch
- Universitat Internacional de Catalunya Bioengineering Institute of Technology (BIT), , Sant Cugat del Valles, Barcelona, 08195, Spain
| | - Elia Bosch-Rue
- Universitat Internacional de Catalunya Bioengineering Institute of Technology (BIT), , Sant Cugat del Valles, Barcelona, 08195, Spain
| | - Marina Perpiñan-Blasco
- Universitat Internacional de Catalunya Bioengineering Institute of Technology (BIT), , Sant Cugat del Valles, Barcelona, 08195, Spain
| | - Roman A Perez
- Universitat Internacional de Catalunya Bioengineering Institute of Technology (BIT), , Sant Cugat del Valles, Barcelona, 08195, Spain
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3
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Delivery of Cells to the Cornea Using Synthetic Biomaterials. Cornea 2022; 41:1325-1336. [DOI: 10.1097/ico.0000000000003094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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4
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Spinozzi D, Miron A, Bruinsma M, Dapena I, Kocaba V, Jager MJ, Melles GRJ, Ni Dhubhghaill S, Oellerich S. New developments in corneal endothelial cell replacement. Acta Ophthalmol 2021; 99:712-729. [PMID: 33369235 DOI: 10.1111/aos.14722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Corneal transplantation is currently the most effective treatment to restore corneal clarity in patients with endothelial disorders. Endothelial transplantation, either by Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) or by Descemet stripping (automated) endothelial keratoplasty (DS(A)EK), is a surgical approach that replaces diseased Descemet membrane and endothelium with tissue from a healthy donor eye. Its application, however, is limited by the availability of healthy donor tissue. To increase the pool of endothelial grafts, research has focused on developing new treatment options as alternatives to conventional corneal transplantation. These treatment options can be considered as either 'surgery-based', that is tissue-efficient modifications of the current techniques (e.g. Descemet stripping only (DSO)/Descemetorhexis without endothelial keratoplasty (DWEK) and Quarter-DMEK), or 'cell-based' approaches, which rely on in vitro expansion of human corneal endothelial cells (hCEC) (i.e. cultured corneal endothelial cell sheet transplantation and cell injection). In this review, we will focus on the most recent developments in the field of the 'cell-based' approaches. Starting with the description of aspects involved in the isolation of hCEC from donor tissue, we then describe the different natural and bioengineered carriers currently used in endothelial cell sheet transplantation, and finally, we discuss the current 'state of the art' in novel therapeutic approaches such as endothelial cell injection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Spinozzi
- Netherlands Institute for Innovative Ocular Surgery Rotterdam The Netherlands
| | - Alina Miron
- Netherlands Institute for Innovative Ocular Surgery Rotterdam The Netherlands
| | - Marieke Bruinsma
- Netherlands Institute for Innovative Ocular Surgery Rotterdam The Netherlands
| | - Isabel Dapena
- Netherlands Institute for Innovative Ocular Surgery Rotterdam The Netherlands
- Melles Cornea Clinic Rotterdam The Netherlands
| | - Viridiana Kocaba
- Netherlands Institute for Innovative Ocular Surgery Rotterdam The Netherlands
- Melles Cornea Clinic Rotterdam The Netherlands
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Group Singapore Eye Research Institute Singapore Singapore
| | - Martine J. Jager
- Department of Ophthalmology Leiden University Medical Center Leiden The Netherlands
| | - Gerrit R. J. Melles
- Netherlands Institute for Innovative Ocular Surgery Rotterdam The Netherlands
- Melles Cornea Clinic Rotterdam The Netherlands
- Amnitrans EyeBank Rotterdam The Netherlands
| | - Sorcha Ni Dhubhghaill
- Netherlands Institute for Innovative Ocular Surgery Rotterdam The Netherlands
- Melles Cornea Clinic Rotterdam The Netherlands
- Antwerp University Hospital (UZA) Edegem Belgium
| | - Silke Oellerich
- Netherlands Institute for Innovative Ocular Surgery Rotterdam The Netherlands
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A purified human platelet pellet lysate rich in neurotrophic factors and antioxidants repairs and protects corneal endothelial cells from oxidative stress. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 142:112046. [PMID: 34426259 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.112046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Human platelet lysate (HPL) is a complex mixture of potent bioactive molecules instrumental in tissue repair and regeneration. Due to their remarkable safety, cost-effective production, and availability at global level from collected platelet concentrates, HPLs can become a powerful biotherapy for various therapeutic applications, if standardized and carefully validated through pre-clinical and clinical studies. In this work, the possibility to use a tailor-made HPL as a corneal transplant alternative to treat the gradual decrease in the number of corneal endothelial cells (CECs) associated with aging, was evaluated. The HPL preparation was thoroughly characterized using various proteomics tools that revealed a remarkable richness in multiple growth factors and antioxidants. Treatment of B4G12 and BCE C/D-1b CECs with the HPL increased their viability, enhanced the wound closure rate, and maintained cell growth and typical hexagonal morphology. Besides, this HPL significantly protected against tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP)-induced oxidative stress as evidenced by increasing CEC viability, decreased cell death and reactive oxygen species formation, and enhanced antioxidant capacity. Proteomics analysis of treated CECs confirmed that HPL treatment triggered the corneal healing pathway and enhanced oxidative stress. These data strongly support further pre-clinical evaluation of this tailor-made HPL as a novel CEC regeneration biotherapy. HPL treatment may eventually represent a pragmatic and cost-effective alternative to corneal transplant to treat damages of the corneal endothelium which is a major cause of blindness worldwide.
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Khalili M, Asadi M, Kahroba H, Soleyman MR, Andre H, Alizadeh E. Corneal endothelium tissue engineering: An evolution of signaling molecules, cells, and scaffolds toward 3D bioprinting and cell sheets. J Cell Physiol 2020; 236:3275-3303. [PMID: 33090510 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Revised: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cornea is an avascular and transparent tissue that focuses light on retina. Cornea is supported by the corneal-endothelial layer through regulation of hydration homeostasis. Restoring vision in patients afflicted with corneal endothelium dysfunction-mediated blindness most often requires corneal transplantation (CT), which faces considerable constrictions due to donor limitations. An emerging alternative to CT is corneal endothelium tissue engineering (CETE), which involves utilizing scaffold-based methods and scaffold-free strategies. The innovative scaffold-free method is cell sheet engineering, which typically generates cell layers surrounded by an intact extracellular matrix, exhibiting tunable release from the stimuli-responsive surface. In some studies, scaffold-based or scaffold-free technologies have been reported to achieve promising outcomes. However, yet some issues exist in translating CETE from bench to clinical practice. In this review, we compare different corneal endothelium regeneration methods and elaborate on the application of multiple cell types (stem cells, corneal endothelial cells, and endothelial precursors), signaling molecules (growth factors, cytokines, chemical compounds, and small RNAs), and natural and synthetic scaffolds for CETE. Furthermore, we discuss the importance of three-dimensional bioprinting strategies and simulation of Descemet's membrane by biomimetic topography. Finally, we dissected the recent advances, applications, and prospects of cell sheet engineering for CETE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mostafa Khalili
- Drug Applied Research Center and Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Biotechnology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Maryam Asadi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Biotechnology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Houman Kahroba
- Biomedicine Institute, and Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Molecular Medicine Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Soleyman
- CinnaGen Medical Biotechnology Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
| | - Helder Andre
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, St. Erik Eye Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Effat Alizadeh
- Drug Applied Research Center and Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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Zhao J, Fan T, Ma X, Hu X. Construction of a high cell density human corneal endothelial equivalent and its transplantation in primate models. Xenotransplantation 2019; 26:e12514. [PMID: 30989737 DOI: 10.1111/xen.12514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Revised: 03/09/2019] [Accepted: 03/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recently, many patients with corneal blindness caused by endothelial dysfunction have no opportunity to receive keratoplasty therapy because of the extremely limited number of donor corneas. Corneal tissue engineering opens a new path for in vitro reconstruction of tissue-engineered HCE which will cure the corneal endotheliopathy by clinical corneal transplantation. In this study, we construct a human corneal endothelium (HCE) equivalent with non-transfected monoclonal HCE (mcHCE) cells and modified denuded amniotic membrane (mdAM), and evaluate its functions in monkey models. METHODS Tissue-engineered HCE (TE-HCE) was constructed by culturing DiI-labeled mcHCE cells on mdAMs in 20% fetal bovine serum-containing DMEM/Ham's Nutrient Mixture F12 (1:1) medium and 5% CO2 at 37°C on a 24-well culture plate. The constructed TE-HCE was transplanted into monkey corneas via penetrating keratoplasty with Descemet's membrane and endothelium stripped. The corneal transparency, thickness, and intraocular pressure were monitored in vivo, and the corneal morphology and histological structure were examined ex vivo 181 days after surgery. RESULTS The constructed TE-HCE, with an average density of 3602.22 ± 45.22 cells/mm2 , mimicked its natural counterpart both in morphology and histological structure. In vivo, corneal transparency was maintained, and the corneal thickness gradually decreased to 567.33 ± 72.77 μm at day 181 after TE-HCE transplanted into monkey eyes, while intense corneal edema and turbid were found in mdAM-transplanted eyes with their corneal thicknesses maintained over 1000 μm during the monitoring period. Ex vivo, a monolayer of corneal endothelium, consisting of mcHCE cells at a density of 2795.65 ± 156.83 cells/mm2 , was reconstructed in transplanted monkey eyes. The cells in the transplanted area had the hexagonal or polygonal morphology and normal ultrastructure, and established plenty of cell-cell and cell-stromal matrix junctions. Besides, huge membrane-bounded flat stacks with electric dense inclusions were found in mcHCE cells beneath the plasma membrane at the stromal side. CONCLUSIONS The constructed TE-HCE has normal histological property and functions well in monkey models. The TE-HCE could be used as a promising HCE equivalent in therapy of corneal endothelium dysfunction and corneal regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Zhao
- Key Laboratory for Corneal Tissue Engineering, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Tingjun Fan
- Key Laboratory for Corneal Tissue Engineering, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Xiya Ma
- Key Laboratory for Corneal Tissue Engineering, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Xiuzhong Hu
- Key Laboratory for Corneal Tissue Engineering, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
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Kruse M, Walter P, Bauer B, Rütten S, Schaefer K, Plange N, Gries T, Jockenhoevel S, Fuest M. Electro-spun Membranes as Scaffolds for Human Corneal Endothelial Cells. Curr Eye Res 2019; 43:1-11. [PMID: 29281419 DOI: 10.1080/02713683.2017.1377258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Corneal endothelial dysfunction remains the most frequent indication for corneal transplantation, limited by donor material shortage, poor long-term graft survival, or allogeneic graft rejection. Therefore, tissue-engineered endothelial grafts (TEEG) represent a promising alternative to human donor tissue. In this study, we generated electro-spun scaffolds and tested these for their suitability for human corneal endothelial cell (hCEC) cultivation. METHODS The polymers poly(methyl-methacrylate) (PMMA), poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), and polycaprolactone (PCL) were spun with equal parameters. HCEC-12 was cultured on the scaffolds for 3 to 7 days. Scaffolds were evaluated by light microscopy, porometry, light transmission, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), live/dead staining and cell viability assay. RESULTS Electro-spun fibers from PMMA (2.99 ± 0.24 µm) showed significantly higher diameters than PCL (2.29 ± 0.11 µm; p = 0.003) and PLGA (1.84 ± 0.21 µm; p < 0.001), while fibers from PCL also showed larger diameters than those from PLGA (p = 0.002). PMMA scaffolds (26.77 ± 17.48 µm) had significantly larger interstitial spaces than those from PCL (13.30 ± 5.47 µm; p = 0.04) and PLGA (10.42 ± 6.15 µm; p = 0.002), while PCL and PLGA did not differ significantly (p = 0.26). SEM analysis revealed that only PLGA fibers preserved a normal HCEC-12 morphology. PLGA and PCL did not differ in cell number, death, or viability after 7 days of HCEC-12 cultivation. PMMA showed significantly higher cytotoxicity (p < 0.001; PLGA: 1626.2 ± 183.8 RLU; PMMA: 841.9 ± 92.7 RLU; PCL: 1580.2 ± 171.02 RLU). CONCLUSIONS The biodegradable PLGA and PCL electro-spun scaffolds resulted in equal biocompatibility, while PMMA showed cytotoxicity. Only PLGA preserved hCEC morphology and consequently seems to be a promising candidate for TEEG construction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magnus Kruse
- a Department of Biohybrid & Medical Textiles (BioTex) , AME-Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering & ITA-Institut für Textiltechnik Aachen, RWTH Aachen University , Aachen , Germany
| | - Peter Walter
- b Department of Ophthalmology , RWTH Aachen University , Aachen , Germany
| | - Benedict Bauer
- a Department of Biohybrid & Medical Textiles (BioTex) , AME-Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering & ITA-Institut für Textiltechnik Aachen, RWTH Aachen University , Aachen , Germany
| | - Stephan Rütten
- c Department of Electron Microscopy , University Hospital RWTH , Aachen , Germany
| | - Karola Schaefer
- d DWI - Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials e.V. and Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry (ITMC) , RWTH Aachen University , Aachen , Germany
| | - Niklas Plange
- b Department of Ophthalmology , RWTH Aachen University , Aachen , Germany
| | - Thomas Gries
- a Department of Biohybrid & Medical Textiles (BioTex) , AME-Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering & ITA-Institut für Textiltechnik Aachen, RWTH Aachen University , Aachen , Germany
| | - Stefan Jockenhoevel
- a Department of Biohybrid & Medical Textiles (BioTex) , AME-Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering & ITA-Institut für Textiltechnik Aachen, RWTH Aachen University , Aachen , Germany
| | - Matthias Fuest
- b Department of Ophthalmology , RWTH Aachen University , Aachen , Germany
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Aghaei-Ghareh-Bolagh B, Guan J, Wang Y, Martin AD, Dawson R, Mithieux SM, Weiss AS. Optically robust, highly permeable and elastic protein films that support dual cornea cell types. Biomaterials 2019; 188:50-62. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2018.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2018] [Revised: 09/26/2018] [Accepted: 10/07/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Therapy of corneal endothelial dysfunction with corneal endothelial cell-like cells derived from skin-derived precursors. Sci Rep 2017; 7:13400. [PMID: 29042661 PMCID: PMC5645363 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-13787-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2017] [Accepted: 10/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Corneal endothelial dysfunction occurs when corneal endothelial cells (CECs) are dramatically lost and eventually results in vision loss. Corneal transplantation is the only solution at present. However, corneal transplantation requires a fresh human cornea and there is a worldwide shortage of donors. Therefore, finding new functional CECs to replace human CECs is urgent. Skin-derived precursors (SKPs) can be easily acquired and have multiple differential potential. We co-cultured human SKPs with B4G12 cells in serum-free medium and obtained abundant CEC-like cells which had similar morphology and characteristic to human CECs. CEC-like cells exerted excellent therapeutic effect when they were transplanted into rabbit and monkey corneal endothelial dysfunction models by injection method. This protocol enables efficient production of CEC-like cells from SKPs. The renewable cell source, novel derivation method and simple treatment strategy may lead to potential applications in cell replacement therapy for corneal endothelial dysfunction.
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Hesse M, Kuerten D, Walter P, Plange N, Johnen S, Fuest M. The effect of air, SF6 and C3F8 on immortalized human corneal endothelial cells. Acta Ophthalmol 2017; 95:e284-e290. [PMID: 27595913 DOI: 10.1111/aos.13256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2016] [Accepted: 07/31/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE While anterior chamber air bubbles aid attachment during posterior lamellar surgery only for few days, these periods can be prolonged with gases in non-expanding concentrations. To test the effects of different gas compositions on immortalized human corneal endothelial cells (HCEC-12), we utilized Transwell inserts with semipermeable membranes as an artificial anterior chamber model. METHODS Human corneal endothelial cells (HCEC-12) were cultured on Transwell inserts for 24 hr, then flipped, burdened and sunk with titanium rings in medium (M1), as well as filled with 2 ml of air (A), 20% sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) (S), or 12% C3F8 (C). After gas exposition for 24, 48 and 120 hr, cells were evaluated by live/dead staining, cell viability assay and Ki67 immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Proliferation was significantly reduced (Ki67-positive fraction; M1, 14.8 ± 2.0%; A, 7.9 ± 1.4%; S, 8.1 ± 1.3%; C, 9.9 ± 2.3%; p-values; A, S, C versus M1 < 0.01), the total cell number decreased and the percentage of dead cells increased under gas exposition, independently of the type of gas (120 hr cell count/2.25 cm2 : M1 = 660.8 ± 57.0 cells; A = 125.5 ± 17.4 cells, S = 123.5 ± 17.0 cells, C = 118.8 ± 16.6 cells; p-value: M versus A/S/C < 0.001; 120 hr dead cells: M = 2.6 ± 1.0%, A = 8.4 ± 2.7%, S = 9.5 ± 3.2%, C = 11.3 ± 3.1%; p-value: M1 versus A/S/C < 0.01). Medium (M1)-control also proved significantly higher cell viability values in comparison with the gases, which did not differ significantly among them (120 hr luminescence: M1 = 1752.2 ± 91.4, A = 433.0 ± 30.3, S = 507.8 ± 23.3, C = 523.8 ± 20.3; p-value: M1 versus A/S/C < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Gas exposition led to a reduction in proliferation and an increase in cell death in HCEC-12, independently of the gas composition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Hesse
- Department of Ophthalmology; RWTH Aachen University; Aachen Germany
| | - David Kuerten
- Department of Ophthalmology; RWTH Aachen University; Aachen Germany
| | - Peter Walter
- Department of Ophthalmology; RWTH Aachen University; Aachen Germany
| | - Niklas Plange
- Department of Ophthalmology; RWTH Aachen University; Aachen Germany
| | - Sandra Johnen
- Department of Ophthalmology; RWTH Aachen University; Aachen Germany
| | - Matthias Fuest
- Department of Ophthalmology; RWTH Aachen University; Aachen Germany
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12
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Ali M, Raghunathan V, Li JY, Murphy CJ, Thomasy SM. Biomechanical relationships between the corneal endothelium and Descemet's membrane. Exp Eye Res 2016; 152:57-70. [PMID: 27639516 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2016.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2016] [Accepted: 09/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The posterior face of the cornea consists of the corneal endothelium, a monolayer of cuboidal cells that secrete and attach to Descemet's membrane, an exaggerated basement membrane. Dysfunction of the endothelium compromises the barrier and pump functions of this layer that maintain corneal deturgesence. A large number of corneal endothelial dystrophies feature irregularities in Descemet's membrane, suggesting that cells create and respond to the biophysical signals offered by their underlying matrix. This review provides an overview of the bidirectional relationship between Descemet's membrane and the corneal endothelium. Several experimental methods have characterized a richly topographic and compliant biophysical microenvironment presented by the posterior surface of Descemet's membrane, as well as the ultrastructure and composition of the membrane as it builds during a lifetime. We highlight the signaling pathways involved in the mechanotransduction of biophysical cues that influence cell behavior. We present the specific example of Fuchs' corneal endothelial dystrophy as a condition in which a dysregulated Descemet's membrane may influence the progression of disease. Finally, we discuss some disease models and regenerative strategies that may facilitate improved treatments for corneal dystrophies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Ali
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.
| | - VijayKrishna Raghunathan
- The Ocular Surface Institute, College of Optometry, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204, USA.
| | - Jennifer Y Li
- Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science, School of Medicine, UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA.
| | - Christopher J Murphy
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA; Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science, School of Medicine, UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA.
| | - Sara M Thomasy
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.
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Soh YQ, Peh GSL, Mehta JS. Translational issues for human corneal endothelial tissue engineering. J Tissue Eng Regen Med 2016; 11:2425-2442. [DOI: 10.1002/term.2131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2015] [Revised: 11/19/2015] [Accepted: 12/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yu Qiang Soh
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Group; Singapore Eye Research Institute; Singapore
- Singapore National Eye Centre; Singapore
| | - Gary S. L. Peh
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Group; Singapore Eye Research Institute; Singapore
- Ophthalmology Academic Clinical Programme; Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School; Singapore
| | - Jodhbir S. Mehta
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Group; Singapore Eye Research Institute; Singapore
- Singapore National Eye Centre; Singapore
- Ophthalmology Academic Clinical Programme; Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School; Singapore
- Department of Clinical Sciences; Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School; Singapore
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14
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ZHAO J, MA XY, FAN TJ. Construction of a tissue-engineered human corneal endothelium and its transplantation in rabbit models. Turk J Biol 2016. [DOI: 10.3906/biy-1508-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
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15
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Muerza-Cascante ML, Haylock D, Hutmacher DW, Dalton PD. Melt Electrospinning and Its Technologization in Tissue Engineering. TISSUE ENGINEERING PART B-REVIEWS 2015; 21:187-202. [DOI: 10.1089/ten.teb.2014.0347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 141] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M. Lourdes Muerza-Cascante
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Queensland, Australia
| | - David Haylock
- The Commonwealth Scientific Industrial Research Organisation, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Dietmar W. Hutmacher
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Queensland, Australia
- Institute for Advanced Study, Technical University Munich, Garching, Germany
- George W Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Paul D. Dalton
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Queensland, Australia
- Department of Functional Materials in Medicine and Dentistry, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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Teichmann J, Valtink M, Nitschke M, Gramm S, Funk RHW, Engelmann K, Werner C. Tissue engineering of the corneal endothelium: a review of carrier materials. J Funct Biomater 2013; 4:178-208. [PMID: 24956190 PMCID: PMC4030930 DOI: 10.3390/jfb4040178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2013] [Revised: 09/13/2013] [Accepted: 09/24/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Functional impairment of the human corneal endothelium can lead to corneal blindness. In order to meet the high demand for transplants with an appropriate human corneal endothelial cell density as a prerequisite for corneal function, several tissue engineering techniques have been developed to generate transplantable endothelial cell sheets. These approaches range from the use of natural membranes, biological polymers and biosynthetic material compositions, to completely synthetic materials as matrices for corneal endothelial cell sheet generation. This review gives an overview about currently used materials for the generation of transplantable corneal endothelial cell sheets with a special focus on thermo-responsive polymer coatings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliane Teichmann
- Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden, Max Bergmann Center of Biomaterials, Institute of Biofunctional Polymer Materials, Hohe Straße 6, Dresden 01069, Germany.
| | - Monika Valtink
- Institute of Anatomy, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, Dresden 01307, Germany.
| | - Mirko Nitschke
- Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden, Max Bergmann Center of Biomaterials, Institute of Biofunctional Polymer Materials, Hohe Straße 6, Dresden 01069, Germany.
| | - Stefan Gramm
- Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden, Max Bergmann Center of Biomaterials, Institute of Biofunctional Polymer Materials, Hohe Straße 6, Dresden 01069, Germany.
| | - Richard H W Funk
- Institute of Anatomy, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, Dresden 01307, Germany.
| | - Katrin Engelmann
- CRTD/DFG-Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden-Cluster of Excellence, Fetscherstraße 105, Dresden 01307, Germany.
| | - Carsten Werner
- Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden, Max Bergmann Center of Biomaterials, Institute of Biofunctional Polymer Materials, Hohe Straße 6, Dresden 01069, Germany.
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Lee JG, Heur M. Interleukin-1β enhances cell migration through AP-1 and NF-κB pathway-dependent FGF2 expression in human corneal endothelial cells. Biol Cell 2013; 105:175-89. [PMID: 23331079 DOI: 10.1111/boc.201200077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2012] [Accepted: 01/11/2013] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND INFORMATION Interleukin (IL)-1β is a major pro-inflammatory cytokine that plays a crucial role in the regulation of inflammation and wound healing in the cornea. Elucidation of IL-1β signalling may help identify therapeutic targets for corneal wound healing; however, mechanisms such as cell migration, a component of IL-1β-induced wound healing response in human corneal endothelial cells (CEC), have not been well characterised. RESULTS Stimulation of human CEC with IL-1β activated expression of fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) and resulted in enhanced cell migration. This, in turn, was abolished by treatment with either IL-1 receptor antagonist or SU-5402, a pan-fibroblast growth factor signalling inhibitor. Phosphatidyl inositol (PI) 3-kinase or IL receptor-associated kinase 1/4 antagonists demonstrated that IL receptor-associated kinase 1/4 activates PI 3-kinase, which in turn phosphorylates p38 and inhibitor κB kinase α/β, leading to FGF2 expression through activation of activator protein 1 (AP-1) and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) in human CEC. Treatment of IL-1β-stimulated human CEC with either AP-1 or NF-κB antagonists decreased FGF2 expression and resulted in reduced IL-1β-enhanced cell migration. Co-treatment of IL-1β-stimulated human CEC with both inhibitors completely blocked FGF2 expression and IL-1β-enhanced cell migration. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated that AP-1 and NF-κB directly bind to the FGF2 promoter following IL-1β stimulation. CONCLUSIONS The results show that binding of IL-1β to its receptor in human CEC leads to parallel activation of AP-1 and NF-κB pathways, leading, in turn, to FGF2 expression and enhanced cell migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeong Goo Lee
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
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Teichmann J, Valtink M, Gramm S, Nitschke M, Werner C, Funk R, Engelmann K. Human corneal endothelial cell sheets for transplantation: thermo-responsive cell culture carriers to meet cell-specific requirements. Acta Biomater 2013; 9:5031-9. [PMID: 23099299 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2012.10.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2012] [Revised: 09/17/2012] [Accepted: 10/17/2012] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Corneal endothelial diseases lead to severe vision impairment, motivating the transplantation of donor corneae or corneal endothelial lamellae, which is, however, impeded by endothelial cell loss during processing. Therefore, one prioritized aim in corneal tissue engineering is the generation of transplantable human corneal endothelial cell (HCEC) layers. Thermo-responsive cell culture carriers are widely used for non-enzymatic harvest of cell sheets. The current study presents a novel thermo-responsive carrier based on simultaneous electron beam immobilization and cross-linking of poly(vinyl methyl ether) (PVME) on polymeric surfaces, which allows one to adjust layer thickness, stiffness, switching amplitude and functionalization with bioactive molecules to meet cell type specific requirements. The efficacy of this approach for HCEC, which require elaborate cell culture conditions and are strongly adherent to the substratum, is demonstrated. The developed method may pave the way to tissue engineering of corneal endothelium and significantly improve therapeutic options.
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Krüger T, Cao Y, Kjærgaard SK, Knudsen LE, Bonefeld-Jørgensen EC. Effects of phthalates on the human corneal endothelial cell line B4G12. Int J Toxicol 2012; 31:364-71. [PMID: 22723514 DOI: 10.1177/1091581812449660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Phthalates are industrial chemicals used in many cosmetics. We evaluated an in vitro model for eye irritancy testing using the human corneal endothelial cell line B4G12. Cell proliferation and toxicity were assessed after exposing to di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP), di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP), di-n-octyl phthalate (DnOP), and di-isononyl phthalate (DINP). Gene expression and secretion of inflammatory cytokines were evaluated after exposure to DBP. Decreased cell proliferation was observed for the phthalates DBP, BBP, and DEHP, and cell toxicity was observed for DBP and BBP. Upon DBP exposure at nontoxic concentrations, a significant increased gene expression and cytokine cell secretion were observed for interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-8, and also an increased IL-6 secretion was observed. In conclusion, the human corneal endothelial cell line B4G12 may be a potential model for inflammatory eye irritancy testing of phthalates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanja Krüger
- Department of Public Health, Centre of Arctic Health & Unit of Cellular and Molecular Toxicology, Aarhus University, Aarhus County, Denmark
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