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Yang Q, Ju G, He Y. Corneal densitometry: A new evaluation indicator for corneal diseases. Surv Ophthalmol 2024:S0039-6257(24)00122-X. [PMID: 39326741 DOI: 10.1016/j.survophthal.2024.09.007] [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: 03/09/2024] [Revised: 09/19/2024] [Accepted: 09/23/2024] [Indexed: 09/28/2024]
Abstract
Corneal densitometry (CD) uses the biological properties of the cornea to visualize the morphology of the cornea and determine the degree of corneal transparency. At present, it is an emerging metric that has shown promise in various clinical diagnosis and evaluation of eye diseases and surgeries. We introduce the different methodologies used to measure CD. Furthermore, we systematically categorize the diagnostic value of CD into high, medium, and low levels based on its clinical significance. By analyzing a wide range of conditions, including keratoconus, postrefractive surgery changes, and other corneal pathologies, we assess the utility of CD in each context. We also discuss the potential implications of these classifications for disease monitoring and prognosis evaluation. Our review underscores the importance of integrating CD assessments into routine clinical practice to enhance the accuracy and effectiveness of diagnostic processes for corneal disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, the Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130041, China; The Second Clinical Medical College of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130012, China
| | - Gen Ju
- Department of Ophthalmology, Baoji People's Hospital, Baoji, Shaanxi 721000, China
| | - Yuxi He
- Department of Ophthalmology, the Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130041, China.
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2
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Boroumand S, Rahmani M, Sigaroodi F, Ganjoury C, Parandakh A, Bonakdar A, Khani MM, Soleimani M. The landscape of clinical trials in corneal regeneration: A systematic review of tissue engineering approaches in corneal disease. J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater 2024; 112:e35449. [PMID: 39032135 DOI: 10.1002/jbm.b.35449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/22/2024]
Abstract
The limited availability of a healthy donor cornea and the incidence of allograft failure led researchers to seek other corneal substitutes via tissue engineering. Exploring the trend of clinical trials of the cornea with the vision of tissue engineering provides an opportunity to reveal future potential corneal substitutes. The results of this clinical trial are beneficial for future study designs to overcome the limitations of current therapeutic approaches. In this study, registered clinical trials of bio-based approaches were reviewed for corneal regeneration on March 22, 2024. Among the 3955 registered trials for the cornea, 392 trials were included in this study, which categorized in three main bio-based scaffolds, stem cells, and bioactive macromolecules. In addition to the acellular cornea and human amniotic membrane, several bio-based materials have been introduced as corneal substrates such as collagen, fibrin, and agarose. However, some synthetic materials have been introduced in recent studies to improve the desired properties of bio-based scaffolds for corneal substitutes. Nevertheless, new insights into corneal regenerative medicine have recently emerged from cell sheets with autologous and allogeneic cell sources. In addition, the future perspective of corneal regeneration is described through a literature review of recent experimental models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Safieh Boroumand
- Department of Tissue Engineering and Applied Cell Sciences, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahya Rahmani
- Department of Tissue Engineering and Applied Cell Sciences, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Faraz Sigaroodi
- Department of Tissue Engineering and Applied Cell Sciences, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Camellia Ganjoury
- Medical Nanotechnology and Tissue Engineering Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Azim Parandakh
- Medical Nanotechnology and Tissue Engineering Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Alireza Bonakdar
- Department of Tissue Engineering and Applied Cell Sciences, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Medical Nanotechnology and Tissue Engineering Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad-Mehdi Khani
- Department of Tissue Engineering and Applied Cell Sciences, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Masoud Soleimani
- Department of Tissue Engineering and Applied Cell Sciences, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Nubile M, Alio del Barrio JL, Cerino L, Salgari N, El Zarif M, Totta M, Lanzini M, Mastropasqua L. Ex Vivo Lenticule Customization for Stromal Lenticule Addition Keratoplasty. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2024; 65:9. [PMID: 39102261 PMCID: PMC11309033 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.65.10.9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this study was to explore the optimal shape of customized lenticules for stromal lenticule addition keratoplasty (SLAK) for off-centered ectasia. Methods Two different methods to create ex vivo models of eccentric-keratoconus were investigated. Twelve human corneas were used to create model 1 by a hyperopic photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), and model 2 by masked phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) on the anterior corneal surface, whereas both types received myopic ablation of the posterior surface. Keratoconus models underwent a modified femtosecond laser (FSL) flap-cut to create stromal pockets. Sixteen human corneas underwent FSL dissection to obtain four lenticule types: type I (planar) and type II (negative) lenticules were used without modifications, whereas type III (customized-planar), and type IV (customized-negative) lenticules underwent further masked-PRK to obtain an asymmetric bow-tie shape. Topographic, aberrometric analysis, and anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) were performed in all recipient corneas before and after lenticule implantation. Results Keratoconus model was successfully reproduced. Tomographic analysis showed a significant inferiorly decentered corneal steepening with coherent stromal thinning. Model 2 reproduced better the curvature of real keratoconus. Lenticules type I implantation induced a homogeneous corneal thickening, type III produced higher thickening in the inferior half of the cornea. Type II determined a maximal peripheral pachymetric increase, with a gradual reduction toward the center, and type IV presented an asymmetric peripheral thickening. Topographic assessment showed a cone apex flattening in all cases, but it was significantly higher in types II and IV. Customized lenticules improved significantly corneal surface regularity regarding types I and II. Conclusions The approach of customizing lenticules by increasing their asymmetry and tailoring the re-shaping effects, may improve SLAK outcomes in eccentric keratoconus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Nubile
- Ophthalmology Clinic, Department of Medicine and Aging Sciences, University “G. D'Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Jorge L. Alio del Barrio
- Cornea, Cataract and Refractive Surgery Unit, Vissum (Miranza Group), Alicante, Spain
- Division of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Alicante, Spain
| | - Luca Cerino
- Ophthalmology Unit, Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova – Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (ASMN-IRCCS), Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Niccolò Salgari
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ospedali Privati Forlì “Villa Igea,” Forlì, Italy
- Istituto Internazionale per la Ricerca e Formazione in Oftalmologia (IRFO), Forlì, Italy
| | - Mona El Zarif
- Ophthalmology Clinic, Department of Medicine and Aging Sciences, University “G. D'Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
- Lebanese University: Genomic Surveillance and Biotherapy GSBT, Faculty of Sciences, RasMaska-Lebanon, and Doctoral School of Sciences and Technology, Hadath-Lebanon, Lebanon
| | - Michele Totta
- Ophthalmology Clinic, Department of Medicine and Aging Sciences, University “G. D'Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Manuela Lanzini
- Ophthalmology Clinic, Department of Medicine and Aging Sciences, University “G. D'Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Leonardo Mastropasqua
- Ophthalmology Clinic, Department of Medicine and Aging Sciences, University “G. D'Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
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Niu Y, Ji J, Yao K, Fu Q. Regenerative treatment of ophthalmic diseases with stem cells: Principles, progress, and challenges. ADVANCES IN OPHTHALMOLOGY PRACTICE AND RESEARCH 2024; 4:52-64. [PMID: 38586868 PMCID: PMC10997875 DOI: 10.1016/j.aopr.2024.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Background Degenerate eye disorders, such as glaucoma, cataracts and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), are prevalent causes of blindness and visual impairment worldwide. Other eye disorders, including limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD), dry eye diseases (DED), and retinitis pigmentosa (RP), result in symptoms such as ocular discomfort and impaired visual function, significantly impacting quality of life. Traditional therapies are limited, primarily focus on delaying disease progression, while emerging stem cell therapy directly targets ocular tissues, aiming to restore ocular function by reconstructing ocular tissue. Main text The utilization of stem cells for the treatment of diverse degenerative ocular diseases is becoming increasingly significant, owing to the regenerative and malleable properties of stem cells and their functional cells. Currently, stem cell therapy for ophthalmopathy involves various cell types, such as embryonic stem cells (ESCs), induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), and retinal progenitor cells (RPCs). In the current article, we will review the current progress regarding the utilization of stem cells for the regeneration of ocular tissue covering key eye tissues from the cornea to the retina. These therapies aim to address the loss of functional cells, restore damaged ocular tissue and or in a paracrine-mediated manner. We also provide an overview of the ocular disorders that stem cell therapy is targeting, as well as the difficulties and opportunities in this field. Conclusions Stem cells can not only promote tissue regeneration but also release exosomes to mitigate inflammation and provide neuroprotection, making stem cell therapy emerge as a promising approach for treating a wide range of eye disorders through multiple mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifei Niu
- Eye Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab of Ophthalmology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Junfeng Ji
- Center of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ke Yao
- Eye Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab of Ophthalmology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Qiuli Fu
- Eye Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab of Ophthalmology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
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Procházková A, Poláchová M, Dítě J, Netuková M, Studený P. Chemical, Physical, and Biological Corneal Decellularization Methods: A Review of Literature. J Ophthalmol 2024; 2024:1191462. [PMID: 38567029 PMCID: PMC10985644 DOI: 10.1155/2024/1191462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The cornea is one of the most commonly transplanted tissues worldwide. It is used to restore vision when severe visual impairment or blindness occurs in patients with corneal diseases or after trauma. Due to the global shortage of healthy donor corneas, decellularized corneal tissue has significant potential as an alternative to corneal transplantation. It preserves the native and biological ultrastructure of the cornea and, therefore, represents the most promising scaffold. This article discusses different methods of corneal decellularization based on the current literature. We searched PubMed.gov for articles from January 2009 to December 2023 using the following keywords: corneal decellularization, decellularization methods, and corneal transplantation. Although several methods of decellularization of corneal tissue have been reported, a universal standardised protocol of corneal decellularization has not yet been introduced. In general, a combination of decellularization methods has been used for efficient decellularization while preserving the optimal properties of the corneal tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Procházková
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kralovske Vinohrady University Hospital and 3rd Medical Faculty, Srobarova 1150/50, Prague 10 100 34, Czech Republic
| | - Martina Poláchová
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kralovske Vinohrady University Hospital and 3rd Medical Faculty, Srobarova 1150/50, Prague 10 100 34, Czech Republic
| | - Jakub Dítě
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kralovske Vinohrady University Hospital and 3rd Medical Faculty, Srobarova 1150/50, Prague 10 100 34, Czech Republic
| | - Magdaléna Netuková
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kralovske Vinohrady University Hospital and 3rd Medical Faculty, Srobarova 1150/50, Prague 10 100 34, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Studený
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kralovske Vinohrady University Hospital and 3rd Medical Faculty, Srobarova 1150/50, Prague 10 100 34, Czech Republic
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Chandran C, Santra M, Rubin E, Geary ML, Yam GHF. Regenerative Therapy for Corneal Scarring Disorders. Biomedicines 2024; 12:649. [PMID: 38540264 PMCID: PMC10967722 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12030649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2024] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/09/2024] Open
Abstract
The cornea is a transparent and vitally multifaceted component of the eye, playing a pivotal role in vision and ocular health. It has primary refractive and protective functions. Typical corneal dysfunctions include opacities and deformities that result from injuries, infections, or other medical conditions. These can significantly impair vision. The conventional challenges in managing corneal ailments include the limited regenerative capacity (except corneal epithelium), immune response after donor tissue transplantation, a risk of long-term graft rejection, and the global shortage of transplantable donor materials. This review delves into the intricate composition of the cornea, the landscape of corneal regeneration, and the multifaceted repercussions of scar-related pathologies. It will elucidate the etiology and types of dysfunctions, assess current treatments and their limitations, and explore the potential of regenerative therapy that has emerged in both in vivo and clinical trials. This review will shed light on existing gaps in corneal disorder management and discuss the feasibility and challenges of advancing regenerative therapies for corneal stromal scarring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Chandran
- Corneal Regeneration Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, Mercy Vision Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA; (C.C.); (M.S.); (E.R.); (M.L.G.)
| | - Mithun Santra
- Corneal Regeneration Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, Mercy Vision Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA; (C.C.); (M.S.); (E.R.); (M.L.G.)
| | - Elizabeth Rubin
- Corneal Regeneration Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, Mercy Vision Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA; (C.C.); (M.S.); (E.R.); (M.L.G.)
| | - Moira L. Geary
- Corneal Regeneration Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, Mercy Vision Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA; (C.C.); (M.S.); (E.R.); (M.L.G.)
| | - Gary Hin-Fai Yam
- Corneal Regeneration Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, Mercy Vision Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA; (C.C.); (M.S.); (E.R.); (M.L.G.)
- McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
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El Zarif M, Abdul Jawad K, Alió JL, Makdissy N, De Miguel MP. In vivo confocal microscopy evaluation of infiltrated immune cells in corneal stroma treated with cell therapy in advanced keratoconus. J Ophthalmic Inflamm Infect 2024; 14:5. [PMID: 38277094 PMCID: PMC10817874 DOI: 10.1186/s12348-024-00385-2] [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: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE This study investigates immune cell (ICs) infiltration in advanced keratoconus patients undergoing autologous adipose-derived adult stem cell (ADASC) therapy with recellularized human donor corneal laminas (CL). METHODS A prospective clinical trial included fourteen patients divided into three groups: G-1, ADASCs; G-2, decellularized CL (dCL); and G-3, dCL recellularized with ADASCs (ADASCs-rCL). Infiltrated ICs were assessed using in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) at 1,3,6, and12 months post-transplant. RESULTS Infiltrated ICs, encompassing granulocytes and agranulocytes, were observed across all groups, categorized by luminosity, structure, and area. Stromal ICs infiltration ranged from 1.19% to 6.62%, with a consistent increase in group-related cell density (F = 10.68, P < .0001), independent of post-op time (F = 0.77, P = 0.511); the most substantial variations were observed in G-3 at 6 and 12 months (2.0 and 1.87-fold, respectively). Similarly, significant size increases were more group-dependent (F = 5.76, P < .005) rather than time-dependent (F = 2.84, P < .05); G-3 exhibited significant increases at 6 and 12 months (3.70-fold and 2.52-fold, respectively). A lamina-induced shift in IC size occurred (F = 110.23, P < .0001), primarily with 50-100 μm2 sizes and up to larger cells > 300μm2, presumably macrophages, notably in G-3, indicating a potential role in tissue repair and remodeling, explaining reductions in cells remnants < 50μm2. CONCLUSIONS ADASCs-rCL therapy may lead to increased IC infiltration compared to ADASCs alone, impacting cell distribution and size due to the presence of the lamina. The findings reveal intricate immune patterns shaped by the corneal microenvironment and highlight the importance of understanding immune responses for the development of future therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona El Zarif
- Optica General, Saida, Lebanon
- Division of Ophthalmology, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Alicante, Spain
- Doctoral School of Sciences and Technology, Lebanese University, Hadath, Lebanon
| | | | - Jorge L Alió
- Division of Ophthalmology, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Alicante, Spain
- Cornea, Cataract and Refractive Surgery Unit, Vissum (Miranza Group), Alicante, Spain
| | - Nehman Makdissy
- Genomic Surveillance and Biotherapy GSBT, Faculty of Sciences, Lebanese University, RasMaska, Lebanon.
| | - María P De Miguel
- Cell Engineering Laboratory, IdiPAZ, La Paz Hospital Health Research Institute, Madrid, Spain.
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Ahadi M, Ramin S, Abbasi A, Tahmouri H, Hosseini SB. Mini review: human clinical studies of stem cell therapy in keratoconus. BMC Ophthalmol 2024; 24:35. [PMID: 38263090 PMCID: PMC10804477 DOI: 10.1186/s12886-024-03297-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Treatment of keratoconus is one of the most interesting research fields for researchers in the world. Regenerative medicine based on human stem cells in the treatment of keratoconus has recently received attention. Despite extensive laboratory and animal studies in regenerative medicine of cornea, there are limited clinical studies in keratoconus. These studies showed promising results of stem cell therapy. In initial studies, the transplantation of these cells into stroma was associated with increased vision and improved corneal parameters without side effects. In this article, we tried to review different aspects of keratoconus stem cell therapy, including cell extraction and culture, surgical procedure, effectiveness and safety of this method in human clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masoumeh Ahadi
- Department of Optometry, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Shahrokh Ramin
- Department of Optometry, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Incubation Center for Pharmaceutical Technology (ICPT), Cell Therapy Department, Red Crescent Pharmaceutical and Clinical Complex, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Abbasi
- Department of Optometry, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Incubation Center for Pharmaceutical Technology (ICPT), Cell Therapy Department, Red Crescent Pharmaceutical and Clinical Complex, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hanieh Tahmouri
- Department of Optometry, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Bagher Hosseini
- Department of Ophthalmology, Eye Bank of Islamic Republic of Iran, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Santa Cruz-Pavlovich FJ, Bolaños-Chang AJ, Del Rio-Murillo XI, Aranda-Preciado GA, Razura-Ruiz EM, Santos A, Navarro-Partida J. Beyond Vision: An Overview of Regenerative Medicine and Its Current Applications in Ophthalmological Care. Cells 2024; 13:179. [PMID: 38247870 PMCID: PMC10814238 DOI: 10.3390/cells13020179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Regenerative medicine (RM) has emerged as a promising and revolutionary solution to address a range of unmet needs in healthcare, including ophthalmology. Moreover, RM takes advantage of the body's innate ability to repair and replace pathologically affected tissues. On the other hand, despite its immense promise, RM faces challenges such as ethical concerns, host-related immune responses, and the need for additional scientific validation, among others. The primary aim of this review is to present a high-level overview of current strategies in the domain of RM (cell therapy, exosomes, scaffolds, in vivo reprogramming, organoids, and interspecies chimerism), centering around the field of ophthalmology. A search conducted on clinicaltrials.gov unveiled a total of at least 209 interventional trials related to RM within the ophthalmological field. Among these trials, there were numerous early-phase studies, including phase I, I/II, II, II/III, and III trials. Many of these studies demonstrate potential in addressing previously challenging and degenerative eye conditions, spanning from posterior segment pathologies like Age-related Macular Degeneration and Retinitis Pigmentosa to anterior structure diseases such as Dry Eye Disease and Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency. Notably, these therapeutic approaches offer tailored solutions specific to the underlying causes of each pathology, thus allowing for the hopeful possibility of bringing forth a treatment for ocular diseases that previously seemed incurable and significantly enhancing patients' quality of life. As advancements in research and technology continue to unfold, future objectives should focus on ensuring the safety and prolonged viability of transplanted cells, devising efficient delivery techniques, etc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco J. Santa Cruz-Pavlovich
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Monterrey 64849, Mexico; (F.J.S.C.-P.); (A.J.B.-C.); (X.I.D.R.-M.); (E.M.R.-R.); (A.S.)
| | - Andres J. Bolaños-Chang
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Monterrey 64849, Mexico; (F.J.S.C.-P.); (A.J.B.-C.); (X.I.D.R.-M.); (E.M.R.-R.); (A.S.)
| | - Ximena I. Del Rio-Murillo
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Monterrey 64849, Mexico; (F.J.S.C.-P.); (A.J.B.-C.); (X.I.D.R.-M.); (E.M.R.-R.); (A.S.)
| | | | - Esmeralda M. Razura-Ruiz
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Monterrey 64849, Mexico; (F.J.S.C.-P.); (A.J.B.-C.); (X.I.D.R.-M.); (E.M.R.-R.); (A.S.)
| | - Arturo Santos
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Monterrey 64849, Mexico; (F.J.S.C.-P.); (A.J.B.-C.); (X.I.D.R.-M.); (E.M.R.-R.); (A.S.)
| | - Jose Navarro-Partida
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Monterrey 64849, Mexico; (F.J.S.C.-P.); (A.J.B.-C.); (X.I.D.R.-M.); (E.M.R.-R.); (A.S.)
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Santra M, Geary ML, Rubin E, Hsu MYS, Funderburgh ML, Chandran C, Du Y, Dhaliwal DK, Jhanji V, Yam GHF. Good manufacturing practice production of human corneal limbus-derived stromal stem cells and in vitro quality screening for therapeutic inhibition of corneal scarring. Stem Cell Res Ther 2024; 15:11. [PMID: 38185673 PMCID: PMC10773078 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-023-03626-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mesenchymal stem cells in the adult corneal stroma (named corneal stromal stem cells, CSSCs) inhibit corneal inflammation and scarring and restore corneal clarity in pre-clinical corneal injury models. This cell therapy could alleviate the heavy reliance on donor materials for corneal transplantation to treat corneal opacities. Herein, we established Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) protocols for CSSC isolation, propagation, and cryostorage, and developed in vitro quality control (QC) metric for in vivo anti-scarring potency of CSSCs in treating corneal opacities. METHODS A total of 24 donor corneal rims with informed consent were used-18 were processed for the GMP optimization of CSSC culture and QC assay development, while CSSCs from the remaining 6 were raised under GMP-optimized conditions and used for QC validation. The cell viability, growth, substrate adhesion, stem cell phenotypes, and differentiation into stromal keratocytes were assayed by monitoring the electric impedance changes using xCELLigence real-time cell analyzer, quantitative PCR, and immunofluorescence. CSSC's conditioned media were tested for the anti-inflammatory activity using an osteoclastogenesis assay with mouse macrophage RAW264.7 cells. In vivo scar inhibitory outcomes were verified using a mouse model of anterior stromal injury caused by mechanical ablation using an Algerbrush burring. RESULTS By comparatively assessing various GMP-compliant reagents with the corresponding non-GMP research-grade chemicals used in the laboratory-based protocols, we finalized GMP protocols covering donor limbal stromal tissue processing, enzymatic digestion, primary CSSC culture, and cryopreservation. In establishing the in vitro QC metric, two parameters-stemness stability of ABCG2 and nestin and anti-inflammatory ability (rate of inflammation)-were factored into a novel formula to calculate a Scarring Index (SI) for each CSSC batch. Correlating with the in vivo scar inhibitory outcomes, the CSSC batches with SI < 10 had a predicted 50% scar reduction potency, whereas cells with SI > 10 were ineffective to inhibit scarring. CONCLUSIONS We established a full GMP-compliant protocol for donor CSSC cultivation, which is essential toward clinical-grade cell manufacturing. A novel in vitro QC-in vivo potency correlation was developed to predict the anti-scarring efficacy of donor CSSCs in treating corneal opacities. This method is applicable to other cell-based therapies and pharmacological treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mithun Santra
- Corneal Regeneration Lab, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Moira L Geary
- Corneal Regeneration Lab, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Elizabeth Rubin
- Corneal Regeneration Lab, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Michael Y S Hsu
- Immunologic Monitoring and Cellular Products Laboratory, Hillman Cancer Centre, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Martha L Funderburgh
- Corneal Regeneration Lab, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Christine Chandran
- Corneal Regeneration Lab, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Yiqin Du
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Deepinder K Dhaliwal
- Corneal Regeneration Lab, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Vishal Jhanji
- Corneal Regeneration Lab, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Gary Hin-Fai Yam
- Corneal Regeneration Lab, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
- McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mercy Vision Institute, University of Pittsburgh, 1622 Locust Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219, USA.
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11
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Niazi S, del Barrio JA, Doroodgar F, Sanginabadi A, Alinia C, Hashemian SJ, Hashemi H, Alio JL. Biomechanical changes in keratoconus after customized stromal augmentation. Taiwan J Ophthalmol 2024; 14:59-69. [PMID: 38654988 PMCID: PMC11034678 DOI: 10.4103/tjo.tjo-d-23-00155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To verify corneal biomechanical changes, poststromal augmentation using myopic small-incision lenticule extraction's (SMILEs) lenticules in advanced keratoconus (KCN) through Corvis ST (Oculus, Wetzlar, Germany). MATERIALS AND METHODS A clinical trial enrolled 22 advanced KCN patients. We implanted lenticules exceeding 100 μ according to a nomogram and evaluated biomechanical factors through Corvis ST at 3-, 6-, and 24-month postimplantation. We examined parameters during the first applanation (A1), second applanation (A2), highest concavity (HC)/max concavity events, and Vinciguerra screening parameters, as recently established criteria derived from the ideal blend of diverse biomechanical and ocular factors and formulated through the application of logistic regression. Regression analyses explored relationships with age, mean keratometry value, thickness, sphere, cylinder, and best-corrected visual acuity. RESULTS Patients were well matched for age, intraocular pressure, and central corneal thickness (CCT). The mean spherical equivalent decreased from -13.48 ± 2.86 Diopters (D) to -8.59 ± 2.17 D (P < 0.007), and mean keratometry decreased from 54.68 ± 2.77 D to 51.95 ± 2.21 D (P < 0.006). Significant increases were observed in HC time (HCT), Radius-central curvature radius at the HC state-, peak distance (PD) during HC state, CCT, first applanation time, and stiffness parameter (A1T and SP-A1), whereas HC deformation amplitude, maximum deformation amplitude ratio at 2 mm, Corvis Biomechanical Index (CBI), integrated radius (IR), second applanation deformation amplitude (A2DA), first applanation velocity and deflection amplitude (A1V and A1DeflA) significantly decreased postlenticule implantation. Multivariable regression revealed age positively correlated with SP-A1 (P = 0.003) and negatively with HC delta Arc length (P = 0.007). Mean K positively correlated with CCT (P = 0.05) and negatively with CBI (P = 0.032). Best-corrected visual acuity positively correlated with HCT (P = 0.044), and the cylinder positively correlated with PD (P = 0.05) and CCT (P = 0.05) whereas negatively with IR (P = 0.025). CONCLUSIONS Stromal augmentation using myopic SMILE lenticules induces significant corneal biomechanical changes in KCN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sana Niazi
- Translational Ophthalmology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Negah Aref Ophthalmic Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Farideh Doroodgar
- Translational Ophthalmology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Negah Aref Ophthalmic Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Azad Sanginabadi
- Department of Optometry, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Cyrus Alinia
- Department of Public Health, School of Public Health, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Seyed Javad Hashemian
- Eye Research Center, Five Senses Institute, Rassoul Akram Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hassan Hashemi
- Noor Ophthalmology Research Center, Noor Eye Hospital, Tehran, Iran
| | - Jorge L. Alio
- Division of Ophthalmology, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Alicante, Spain
- Vissum Miranza Alicante, Alicante, Spain
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Shetty R, Mahendran K, Joshi PD, Jeyabalan N, Jayadev C, Das D. Corneal stromal regeneration-keratoconus cell therapy: a review. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2023; 261:3051-3065. [PMID: 37074409 DOI: 10.1007/s00417-023-06064-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Keratoconus is a corneal ectatic disease caused by stromal thinning leading to astigmatism and progressive loss of vision. Loss of the keratocytes and excessive degradation of collagen fibres by matrix metalloproteinases are the molecular signatures of the disease. Despite several limitations, corneal collagen cross-linking and keratoplasty are the most widely used treatment options for keratoconus. In the pursuit of alternative treatment modalities, clinician scientists have explored cell therapy paradigms for treating the condition. METHODS Articles pertaining to keratoconus cell therapy with relevant key words were used to search in PubMed, Researchgate, and Google Scholar. The articles were selected based on their relevance, reliability, publication year, published journal, and accessibility. RESULTS Various cellular abnormalities have been reported in keratoconus. Diverse cell types such as mesenchymal stromal cells, dental pulp cells, bone marrow stem cells, haematopoietic stem cells, adipose-derived stem cells apart from embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells can be used for keratoconus cell therapy. The results obtained show that there is a potential for these cells from various sources as a viable treatment option. CONCLUSION There is a need for consensus with respect to the source of cells, mode of delivery, stage of disease, and duration of follow-up, to establish a standard operating protocol. This would eventually widen the cell therapy options for corneal ectatic diseases beyond keratoconus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohit Shetty
- Department of Cornea and Refractive Surgery, Narayana Nethralaya Eye Hospital, Bangalore, India
| | - Krithikaa Mahendran
- Stem Cell Research Lab, GROW Lab, Narayana Nethralaya Foundation, Narayana Nethralaya, Bangalore, India
| | - Parth D Joshi
- Stem Cell Research Lab, GROW Lab, Narayana Nethralaya Foundation, Narayana Nethralaya, Bangalore, India
| | | | - Chaitra Jayadev
- Department of Vitreo-Retina, Narayana Nethralaya Eye Hospital, Bangalore, India
| | - Debashish Das
- Stem Cell Research Lab, GROW Lab, Narayana Nethralaya Foundation, Narayana Nethralaya, Bangalore, India.
- Stem Cell Lab, GROW Lab, Narayana Nethralaya Foundation, Narayana Nethralaya Eye Hospital, Narayana Health City, 258/A Bommasandra Industrial Area, Bangalore, 560099, Karnataka, India.
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13
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Pedrotti E, Bonacci E, Fasolo A, Fraccaroli S, Anastasi M, Vinciguerra R, Vinciguerra P, Giorgio M. Meniscus-Shaped Stromal Lenticule Addition Keratoplasty for Corneal Regularization and Thickening in Advanced Keratoconus. Cornea 2023; 42:1221-1228. [PMID: 36156527 DOI: 10.1097/ico.0000000000003144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this study was to investigate the outcome of the meniscus-shaped stromal lenticule addition keratoplasty (MS-SLAK) in corneal regularization and thickness. METHODS Patients waiting for deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty for advanced keratoconus with an intolerance to contact lenses (CLs) underwent the MS-SLAK procedure by FSL 80 kHz ablation (VICTUS, Technolas Perfect Vision, DE). Customized positive meniscus-shaped stromal lenticules were obtained and implanted. Examination was performed at baseline and at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up and included corrected distance visual acuity both with spectacles and CLs (spectacle CDVA and CL-CDVA), manifest refraction spherical equivalent, slit-lamp examination, anterior segment optical coherence tomography, corneal topography, and in vivo confocal microscopy. RESULTS Fifteen patients completed the study. Statistical increases in corneal thickness values were found from the first follow-up ( P < 0.001). Improvement in the Surface Asymmetry Index ( P = 0.04), Symmetry Index ( P = 0.02), spherical aberration ( P < 0.001), coma ( P = 0.18), high-order aberration ( P = 0.37), and anterior asphericity index (Q) ( P = 0.31) were found at 12 months. At the 12-month follow-up, no improvement were found in spectacle CDVA ( P = 0.23); however, all patients reported CL wearing tolerance recovery, and significant improvement in CL-CDVA ( P = 0.002) was found. The confocal microscopy at 12 months showed a significant increase in keratocyte density within the lenticule and absence of fibrotic reactions in both anterior and posterior interfaces. CONCLUSIONS MS-SLAK seems to be effective in regularizing the corneal surface as showed by the significant improvement in topographic symmetry indices, coma, and high-order aberration. The corneal regularization is also confirmed by the results in anterior Q and the recovery of the CL wearing tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilio Pedrotti
- Ophthalmic Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Erika Bonacci
- Ophthalmic Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Adriano Fasolo
- Ophthalmic Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Sebastiano Fraccaroli
- Ophthalmic Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Marco Anastasi
- Ophthalmic Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | | | - Paolo Vinciguerra
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy; and
- Humanitas University, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Milan, Italy
| | - Marchini Giorgio
- Ophthalmic Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
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Yam GHF, Pi S, Du Y, Mehta JS. Posterior corneoscleral limbus: Architecture, stem cells, and clinical implications. Prog Retin Eye Res 2023; 96:101192. [PMID: 37392960 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2023.101192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023]
Abstract
The limbus is a transition from the cornea to conjunctiva and sclera. In human eyes, this thin strip has a rich variation of tissue structures and composition, typifying a change from scleral irregularity and opacity to corneal regularity and transparency; a variation from richly vascularized conjunctiva and sclera to avascular cornea; the neural passage and drainage of aqueous humor. The limbal stroma is enriched with circular fibres running parallel to the corneal circumference, giving its unique role in absorbing small pressure changes to maintain corneal curvature and refractivity. It contains specific niches housing different types of stem cells for the corneal epithelium, stromal keratocytes, corneal endothelium, and trabecular meshwork. This truly reflects the important roles of the limbus in ocular physiology, and the limbal functionality is crucial for corneal health and the entire visual system. Since the anterior limbus containing epithelial structures and limbal epithelial stem cells has been extensively reviewed, this article is focused on the posterior limbus. We have discussed the structural organization and cellular components of the region beneath the limbal epithelium, the characteristics of stem cell types: namely corneal stromal stem cells, endothelial progenitors and trabecular meshwork stem cells, and recent advances leading to the emergence of potential cell therapy options to replenish their respective mature cell types and to correct defects causing corneal abnormalities. We have reviewed different clinical disorders associated with defects of the posterior limbus and summarized the available preclinical and clinical evidence about the developing topic of cell-based therapy for corneal disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary Hin-Fai Yam
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Tissue Engineering and Cell Therapy Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore; McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
| | - Shaohua Pi
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Yiqin Du
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Jodhbir S Mehta
- Tissue Engineering and Cell Therapy Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore; Department of Cornea and External Eye Disease, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore; Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Academic Clinical Program, Duke-National University of Singapore (NUS) Medical School, Singapore.
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15
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Tran TM, Hou JH. Clinical applications of bioengineered tissue-cellular products for management of corneal diseases. Curr Opin Ophthalmol 2023; 34:311-323. [PMID: 37097181 DOI: 10.1097/icu.0000000000000961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To discuss bioengineered tissue-cellular products for treatment of corneal diseases that are currently in clinical use. These include tissue-cellular products that have received regulatory approval, are being used off-label in clinical practice, or are in active use in clinical trials. RECENT FINDINGS Due to the global shortage of donor corneal tissue, significant efforts have been made to develop bioengineering tissue-cellular products that can replace or augment the use of cadaveric tissue for corneal transplantation. The development of carrier substrates to support transplantation of cultivated limbal epithelial transplantation (CLET) has been a growing area of research. CLET offers a promising therapeutic alternative to conventional simple limbal epithelial transplantation and keratolimbal allografts for treatment of limbal stem cell deficiency. Engineered tissue matrices and porcine-derived corneas are potential alternatives to human donor tissue in anterior lamellar keratoplasty for corneal ulcers and scars, as well as intrastromal transplants for advanced keratoconus. For endothelial disease, substrate supported cultured endothelial cell grafts, and synthetic barrier devices are promising alternative to traditional endothelial keratoplasties. SUMMARY There has been increasing interest in cellular and acellular bioengineered tissue-cellular and synthetic products for treatment of corneal diseases, and many of these products have already seen clinical use. Industry and academia have important roles in advancing these products to later phase clinical trials and comparing them to conventional allograft approaches. Future development of full thickness donor corneas with cultivated epithelium, endothelium, and stromal keratocytes in a biosynthetic matrix will likely be an important next step in tissue alternatives. Continued progress in this field will be critical for addressing the global disease burden from corneal blindness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tu M Tran
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Neurosciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
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16
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Vautier A, Bourges JL, Gabison E, Chaventre F, Lefevre S, Toubeau D, Arnoult C, Albou-Ganem C, Boyer O, Muraine M. An Efficient Technique for the Long-term Preservation of SMILE Lenticules Using Desiccation. J Refract Surg 2023; 39:491-498. [PMID: 37449510 DOI: 10.3928/1081597x-20230609-01] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate a desiccation protocol for the long-term preservation of human small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) lenticules and to study their integration in an in vivo rabbit model. METHODS Lenticules were retrieved after SMILE procedures in patients, then desiccated according to a novel protocol. Histologic and electron microscopic analyses were performed. Six rabbit eyes received grafts with an inlay technique, which consisted of inserting a desiccated lenticule into a stromal pocket. Rabbits were killed at different times between 6 and 24 weeks. Rabbit corneas were analyzed using optical coherence tomography, histology, and DAPI staining. RESULTS Microscopic analysis of desiccated lenticules showed a preserved stromal architecture after rehydration. A decellularization of the lenticules after desiccation was observed without any chemical treatment. All rabbit corneas remained clear after grafting human lenticules and no rejection occurred. Optical coherence tomography showed regular lenticular implantation and no decrease in lenticule thickness. Histologic analysis showed no inflammatory infiltration around lenticules and no nuclear material inside lenticules after 6 months. CONCLUSIONS A favorable integration of desiccated human SMILE lenticules in rabbit corneas was observed. The refractive issue of lenticular implantation must be investigated next. Clinical trials are needed to evaluate the use of desiccated SMILE lenticules to treat hyperopia or keratoconus in humans. [J Refract Surg. 2023;39(7):491-498.].
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Deshmukh R, Ong ZZ, Rampat R, Alió del Barrio JL, Barua A, Ang M, Mehta JS, Said DG, Dua HS, Ambrósio R, Ting DSJ. Management of keratoconus: an updated review. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1212314. [PMID: 37409272 PMCID: PMC10318194 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1212314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Keratoconus is the most common corneal ectatic disorder. It is characterized by progressive corneal thinning with resultant irregular astigmatism and myopia. Its prevalence has been estimated at 1:375 to 1:2,000 people globally, with a considerably higher rate in the younger populations. Over the past two decades, there was a paradigm shift in the management of keratoconus. The treatment has expanded significantly from conservative management (e.g., spectacles and contact lenses wear) and penetrating keratoplasty to many other therapeutic and refractive modalities, including corneal cross-linking (with various protocols/techniques), combined CXL-keratorefractive surgeries, intracorneal ring segments, anterior lamellar keratoplasty, and more recently, Bowman's layer transplantation, stromal keratophakia, and stromal regeneration. Several recent large genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified important genetic mutations relevant to keratoconus, facilitating the development of potential gene therapy targeting keratoconus and halting the disease progression. In addition, attempts have been made to leverage the power of artificial intelligence-assisted algorithms in enabling earlier detection and progression prediction in keratoconus. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the current and emerging treatment of keratoconus and propose a treatment algorithm for systematically guiding the management of this common clinical entity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rashmi Deshmukh
- Department of Cornea and Refractive Surgery, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India
| | - Zun Zheng Ong
- Department of Ophthalmology, Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Radhika Rampat
- Department of Ophthalmology, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jorge L. Alió del Barrio
- Cornea, Cataract and Refractive Surgery Unit, Vissum (Miranza Group), Alicante, Spain
- Division of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Alicante, Spain
| | - Ankur Barua
- Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Marcus Ang
- Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jodhbir S. Mehta
- Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Dalia G. Said
- Department of Ophthalmology, Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- Academic Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Harminder S. Dua
- Department of Ophthalmology, Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- Academic Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Renato Ambrósio
- Department of Cornea and Refractive Surgery, Instituto de Olhos Renato Ambrósio, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Department of Ophthalmology, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Darren Shu Jeng Ting
- Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Academic Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- Academic Unit of Ophthalmology, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
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Ghiasi M, Hashemi M, Salimi A, Jadidi K, Tavallaie M, Aghamollaei H. Combination of natural scaffolds and conditional medium to induce the differentiation of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells into keratocyte-like cells and its safety evaluation in the animal cornea. Tissue Cell 2023; 82:102117. [PMID: 37267821 DOI: 10.1016/j.tice.2023.102117] [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: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Keratocytes are the main cellular components of the corneal stroma. This cell is quiescent and cannot be cultured easily. The aim of this study was to investigate differentiate human adipose mesenchymal stem cells (hADSCs) into corneal keratocyte cells by combining natural scaffolds and conditioned medium (CM) and evaluating their safety in the rabbit's cornea. Keratocytes were cultured in an optimal culture medium and this medium was collected and kept as a CM. hADSCs were cultured on the decellularized human small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) lenticule (SL), amniotic membrane (AM), and collagen-coated plates, and were exposed to keratocyte-CM (KCM) for 7, 14, and 21 days. Differentiation was evaluated using Real-time PCR and immunocytochemistry (ICC). hADSCs were cultured on the SL scaffolds and implanted in the corneal stroma of 8 New Zealand male rabbits. Rabbits were followed for 3 months and the safety was evaluated by clinical and histological variables. Real-time PCR results showed a significant increase in the expression of keratocyte-specific markers on the 21 day of differentiation compared to the control group. ICC also confirmed the induction of differentiation. Implantation of SLs containing differentiated cells in the cornea of animals showed no serious complications including neovascularization, corneal opacity, inflammation, or signs of tissue rejection. Furthermore, the evaluation of the presence of keratocyte-like cells after three months in the rabbit stroma was confirmed by Real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis. Our results showed that combination of combination of corneal extracellular matrix and KCM can induced keratocytes differentiation of hADSC and can be introduced as a alternative method to supply the required keratocytes in corneal tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohsen Ghiasi
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehrdad Hashemi
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran; Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence Science Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Salimi
- Nanobiotechnology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Khosrow Jadidi
- Vision Health Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Mahmood Tavallaie
- Human Genetics Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Aghamollaei
- Chemical Injures Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Corneal Stromal Densitometry Evolution in a Clinical Model of Cellular Therapy for Advanced Keratoconus. Cornea 2023; 42:332-343. [PMID: 36256440 DOI: 10.1097/ico.0000000000003152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this study was to report the corneal densitometry (CD) evolution studied by Scheimpflug tomography, anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT), and confocal microscopy changes, in patients with advanced keratoconus included in a clinical experience of advanced cell therapy using autologous humans adipose-derived adult stem cells (ADASCs) and corneal decellularized and ADASCs-recellularized human donor corneal laminas. METHODS This study is an interventional prospective, consecutive, randomized, comparative series of cases. Fourteen patients with keratoconus were randomly distributed into 3 groups for 3 types of surgical interventions: group 1 (G-1), autologous ADASC implantation (n = 5); group 2 (G-2), decellularized human corneal stroma (n = 5); and group 3 (G-3), autologous ADASCs + decellularized human corneal stroma (n = 4). Participants were assessed with Scheimpflug-based Oculus Pentacam CD module, AS-OCT (Visante; Carl Zeiss), and confocal microscopy (HRT3 RCM Heidelberg). RESULTS A significant improvement of 1 to 2 logMAR lines in all visual parameters in the 3 groups was obtained. The central and total CD were statistically significantly higher in G-2 compared with G-1 and G-3 compared with G-1 at the studied annular zones centered on the corneal apex (0-2, 2-6, and 6-10 mm). There was statistical significance higher in G-3 compared with G-2 at the central corneal stroma at 0-2 and 2-6 mm. The confocal microscopy findings and the AS-OCT reflected the densitometry changes. CONCLUSIONS The intrastromal implantation of ADASCs produced very subtle changes in CD at the level of the central corneal stroma. However, the intrastromal implantation of decellularized corneal laminas increases it slightly, but with lower values than the implantation of recellularized laminas with ADASCs.
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Soleimani M, Masoumi A, Momenaei B, Cheraqpour K, Koganti R, Chang AY, Ghassemi M, Djalilian AR. Applications of mesenchymal stem cells in ocular surface diseases: sources and routes of delivery. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2023; 23:509-525. [PMID: 36719365 PMCID: PMC10313829 DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2023.2175605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are novel, promising agents for treating ocular surface disorders. MSCs can be isolated from several tissues and delivered by local or systemic routes. They produce several trophic factors and cytokines, which affect immunomodulatory, transdifferentiating, angiogenic, and pro-survival pathways in their local microenvironment via paracrine secretion. Moreover, they exert their therapeutic effect through a contact-dependent manner. AREAS COVERED In this review, we discuss the characteristics, sources, delivery methods, and applications of MSCs in ocular surface disorders. We also explore the potential application of MSCs to inhibit senescence at the ocular surface. EXPERT OPINION Therapeutic application of MSCs in ocular surface disorders are currently under investigation. One major research area is corneal epitheliopathies, including chemical or thermal burns, limbal stem cell deficiency, neurotrophic keratopathy, and infectious keratitis. MSCs can promote corneal epithelial repair and prevent visually devastating sequelae of non-healing wounds. However, the optimal dosages and delivery routes have yet to be determined and further clinical trials are needed to address these fundamental questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Soleimani
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- Eye Research Center, Farabi Eye Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ahmad Masoumi
- Eye Research Center, Farabi Eye Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Bita Momenaei
- Eye Research Center, Farabi Eye Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kasra Cheraqpour
- Eye Research Center, Farabi Eye Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Raghuram Koganti
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Arthur Y Chang
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Mahmoud Ghassemi
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Ali R Djalilian
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
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21
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Alio JL. Editorial: Regenerative surgery of the cornea. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:1099876. [PMID: 36643846 PMCID: PMC9832521 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.1099876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jorge L. Alio
- Division of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Miguel Hernández University, Elche, Spain,Department of Research and Development, Vissum Miranza Alicante, Alicante, Spain,*Correspondence: Jorge L. Alio ✉
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22
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Haciagaoglu S, Tanriverdi C, Keskin FFN, Tran KD, Kilic A. Allograft corneal ring segment for keratoconus management: Istanbul nomogram clinical results. Eur J Ophthalmol 2022; 33:11206721221142995. [PMID: 36464653 DOI: 10.1177/11206721221142995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate the clinical feasibility and visual outcomes of allograft corneal ring segment implantation for the treatment of keratoconus. METHODS This case series, included forty-four eyes of 32 patients with a 6-month follow-up. All cases were treated according to the Istanbul nomogram. In the Istanbul Nomogram, corneal tunnels of 4 × 7.5 mm diameters are created at depth of 200 μm and implanted with sterile allograft corneal rings (KeraNaturalTM, Lions VisionGift, Portland, OR, USA) at the cone location. Uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), spherical equivalent (SE) and keratometric values were compared preoperatively versus postoperatively. RESULTS There was significant improvement in UDVA, CDVA, SE and topographic keratometric values. The mean preoperative CDVA (Snellen, decimal) increased from 0.29 ± 0.20, to 0.56 ± 0.26 (P < 0.001), at the last visit. There was no statistically significant difference between preoperative and postoperative thinnest pachymetry values (P = 0.509). No major complications or adverse event were observed during and after the operation. CONCLUSIONS The results of this pilot study show that sterile allograft corneal ring segments may be safe, effective and enhance the visual performance of keratoconus patients. Larger clinical studies are needed to demonstrate the effectiveness and safety with long term follow-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sezer Haciagaoglu
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Medipol University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Cafer Tanriverdi
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Medipol University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | | | | | - Aylin Kilic
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Medipol University, Istanbul, Turkey
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23
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Corneal Regeneration Using Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells. Cells 2022; 11:cells11162549. [PMID: 36010626 PMCID: PMC9406486 DOI: 10.3390/cells11162549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Adipose-derived stem cells are a subtype of mesenchymal stem cell that offers the important advantage of being easily obtained (in an autologous manner) from low invasive procedures, rendering a high number of multipotent stem cells with the potential to differentiate into several cellular lineages, to show immunomodulatory properties, and to promote tissue regeneration by a paracrine action through the secretion of extracellular vesicles containing trophic factors. This secretome is currently being investigated as a potential source for a cell-free based regenerative therapy for human tissues, which would significantly reduce the involved costs, risks and law regulations, allowing for a broader application in real clinical practice. In the current article, we will review the existing preclinical and human clinical evidence regarding the use of such adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells for the regeneration of the three main layers of the human cornea: the epithelium (derived from the surface ectoderm), the stroma (derived from the neural crest mesenchyme), and the endothelium (derived from the neural crest cells).
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24
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Semiz F, Lokaj AS, Tanriverdi G, Caliskan G, Hima-Musa N, Semiz CE. Fresh Human Myopic Lenticule Intrastromal Implantation for Keratoconus Using SMILE Surgery in a Long-term Follow-up Study: Ultrastructural Analysis by Transmission Electron Microscopy. J Refract Surg 2022; 38:520-528. [PMID: 35947000 DOI: 10.3928/1081597x-20220713-02] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate new intrastromal histological structures that develop after myopic human lenticular implantation in keratoconus with femtosecond laser-assisted small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) surgery using transmission electron microscopy. METHODS Sixty eyes with advanced keratoconus indicated for corneal transplantation were included in this study. Fresh myopic lenticular implants were placed in all eyes through SMILE surgery. Lenticular implants were extracted from patients with myopic refractive errors of the cornea, untreated keratoconus, and treated keratoconus following 1, 2, and 3 years of surgery. These five lenticular samples were examined under the electron microscope and compared. RESULTS Disorganized and thinned collagen fibers were observed in the stroma with degenerative stromal cells (telocyte-like cells and keratocytes) in the keratoconic cornea. Apoptotic bodies and cell debris were easily observed near the disorganized fibers. In contrast, the myopic refractive error of the control and treatment groups demonstrated well-organized parallel lamellar structures. Healthy keratocytes and telocyte-like cells were observed in samples obtained 1, 2, and 3 years after lenticular implantation. Thus, telocyte-like cells may be activated by appropriate stimuli, such as stem cells, and be involved in stromal regeneration. CONCLUSIONS Fresh myopic intrastromal lenticular implantation is a safe, economical, and reliable technique that leads to increased corneal thickness, improved visual acuity, and the regeneration of healthy keratocytes and telocyte-like cells that are involved in stromal regeneration. [J Refract Surg. 2022;38(8):520-528.].
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25
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Yu N, Chen S, Yang X, Hou X, Wan L, Huang Y, Qiu J, Li Y, Zheng H, Wei H, Zeng C, Lei L, Chen P, Yang Y, Quan D, Zhuang J, Yu K. Comparison of fresh and preserved decellularized human corneal lenticules in femtosecond laser-assisted intrastromal lamellar keratoplasty. Acta Biomater 2022; 150:154-167. [PMID: 35896137 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2022.07.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Substantial evidence has demonstrated the application of fresh and decellularized human corneal lenticules from increasing myopic surgeries. Further preservation of decellularized corneal lenticules would extend its clinical application. However, whether fresh and preserved decellularized lenticules have the same effects in vivo, including refractive correction, remains unclear. Here, we made comprehensive comparisons between fresh human lenticules (FHLs) and preserved decellularized human lenticules (DHLs). Another group of decellularized lenticules was combined with crosslinking for potential keratoconus therapy. Optical transparency, biomechanical properties, and fibrillar ultrastructure were analyzed to evaluate the DHLs and crosslinked DHLs (cDHLs) in vitro. The DHLs retained high transparency and regular ultrastructure, with genetic materials mostly being eliminated. The strength of lenticules in the cDHL group was markedly increased by crosslinking. Moreover, after storage in glycerol for 3 months, the lenticules were reimplanted into rabbit corneal lamellar pockets assisted by a femtosecond laser. The rabbits were followed for another 3 months. There were no obvious rejective complications in any of the three groups. From 1 week to 3 months postoperatively, the host corneas of the FHL group remained highly transparent, while slight hazes were observed in the DHL group. However, the corneas of the cDHL group displayed opacity throughout the 3-month postoperative period. Furthermore, all the lenticules could effectively induce corneal steepening and refractive changes. Taken together, our data indicated that FHLs are ideal inlay products, whereas preserved DHLs could be an alternative for intrastromal lamellar keratoplasty. Our study provides new insights into the clinical application of human lenticule recycling. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: : Currently, substantial evidence has demonstrated the application of fresh and decellularized human corneal lenticules from increasing myopic surgeries. Further preservation of decellularized lenticules would extend its clinical application. However, whether fresh and preserved decellularized lenticules have the same effects in vivo, including refractive correction, remains unclear. Herein, we decellularized human lenticules with or without mechanically strengthened crosslinking. After storage in glycerol for 3 months, the lenticules were reimplanted into rabbit corneas. Comprehensive comparisons were performed among fresh human lenticules (FHLs), decellularized human lenticules (DHLs) and crosslinked DHLs. Our study indicated that FHLs are ideal inlay products, whereas preserved DHLs could be an alternative for intrastromal lamellar keratoplasty. Our study provides new insights into the clinical application of human lenticule recycling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, P. R. China 510060
| | - Shuilian Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, P. R. China 510060
| | - Xifeng Yang
- PCFM Lab, GD HPPC Lab, School of Chemistry, and Guangdong Functional Biomaterials Engineering Technology Research Center, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, P. R. China 510275
| | - Xiangtao Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, P. R. China 510060
| | - Linxi Wan
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, P. R. China 510060
| | - Yuke Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, P. R. China 510060
| | - Jin Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, P. R. China 510060
| | - Yan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, P. R. China 510060
| | - Hua Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, P. R. China 510060
| | - Han Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, P. R. China 510060
| | - Chenguang Zeng
- Guangzhou Sun-shing Biotech Co., Ltd, P. R. China 510060
| | - Lei Lei
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, P. R. China 510060
| | - Pei Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, P. R. China 510060
| | - Ying Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, P. R. China 510060
| | - Daping Quan
- PCFM Lab, GD HPPC Lab, School of Chemistry, and Guangdong Functional Biomaterials Engineering Technology Research Center, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, P. R. China 510275.
| | - Jing Zhuang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, P. R. China 510060.
| | - Keming Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, P. R. China 510060.
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26
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Santra M, Liu YC, Jhanji V, Yam GHF. Human SMILE-Derived Stromal Lenticule Scaffold for Regenerative Therapy: Review and Perspectives. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23147967. [PMID: 35887309 PMCID: PMC9315730 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A transparent cornea is paramount for vision. Corneal opacity is one of the leading causes of blindness. Although conventional corneal transplantation has been successful in recovering patients’ vision, the outcomes are challenged by a global lack of donor tissue availability. Bioengineered corneal tissues are gaining momentum as a new source for corneal wound healing and scar management. Extracellular matrix (ECM)-scaffold-based engineering offers a new perspective on corneal regenerative medicine. Ultrathin stromal laminar tissues obtained from lenticule-based refractive correction procedures, such as SMall Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE), are an accessible and novel source of collagen-rich ECM scaffolds with high mechanical strength, biocompatibility, and transparency. After customization (including decellularization), these lenticules can serve as an acellular scaffold niche to repopulate cells, including stromal keratocytes and stem cells, with functional phenotypes. The intrastromal transplantation of these cell/tissue composites can regenerate native-like corneal stromal tissue and restore corneal transparency. This review highlights the current status of ECM-scaffold-based engineering with cells, along with the development of drug and growth factor delivery systems, and elucidates the potential uses of stromal lenticule scaffolds in regenerative therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mithun Santra
- Corneal Regeneration Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; (M.S.); (V.J.)
| | - Yu-Chi Liu
- Tissue Engineering and Cell Therapy Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore 169856, Singapore;
- Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Academic Clinical Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore
| | - Vishal Jhanji
- Corneal Regeneration Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; (M.S.); (V.J.)
| | - Gary Hin-Fai Yam
- Corneal Regeneration Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; (M.S.); (V.J.)
- Tissue Engineering and Cell Therapy Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore 169856, Singapore;
- McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Correspondence:
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27
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Tafti MF, Aghamollaei H, Moghaddam MM, Jadidi K, Alio JL, Faghihi S. Emerging tissue engineering strategies for the corneal regeneration. J Tissue Eng Regen Med 2022; 16:683-706. [PMID: 35585479 DOI: 10.1002/term.3309] [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: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 04/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Cornea as the outermost layer of the eye is at risk of various genetic and environmental diseases that can damage the cornea and impair vision. Corneal transplantation is among the most applicable surgical procedures for repairing the defected tissue. However, the scarcity of healthy tissue donations as well as transplantation failure has remained as the biggest challenges in confront of corneal grafting. Therefore, alternative approaches based on stem-cell transplantation and classic regenerative medicine have been developed for corneal regeneration. In this review, the application and limitation of the recently-used advanced approaches for regeneration of cornea are discussed. Additionally, other emerging powerful techniques such as 5D printing as a new branch of scaffold-based technologies for construction of tissues other than the cornea are highlighted and suggested as alternatives for corneal reconstruction. The introduced novel techniques may have great potential for clinical applications in corneal repair including disease modeling, 3D pattern scheming, and personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahsa Fallah Tafti
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Group, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Aghamollaei
- Chemical Injuries Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Khosrow Jadidi
- Vision Health Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Jorge L Alio
- Department of Research and Development, VISSUM, Alicante, Spain.,Cornea, Cataract and Refractive Surgery Department, VISSUM, Alicante, Spain.,Department of Pathology and Surgery, Division of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Miguel Hernández University, Alicante, Spain
| | - Shahab Faghihi
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Group, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran
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28
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Kumar A, Yun H, Funderburgh ML, Du Y. Regenerative therapy for the Cornea. Prog Retin Eye Res 2022; 87:101011. [PMID: 34530154 PMCID: PMC8918435 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2021.101011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The cornea is the outmost layer of the eye, unique in its transparency and strength. The cornea not only transmits the light essential for vision, also refracts light, giving focus to images. Each of the three layers of the cornea has properties essential for the function of vision. Although the epithelium can often recover from injury quickly by cell division, loss of limbal stem cells can cause severe corneal surface abnormalities leading to corneal blindness. Disruption of the stromal extracellular matrix and loss of cells determining this structure, the keratocytes, leads to corneal opacity. Corneal endothelium is the inner part of the cornea without self-renewal capacity. It is very important to maintain corneal dehydration and transparency. Permanent damage to the corneal stroma or endothelium can be effectively treated by corneal transplantation; however, there are drawbacks to this procedure, including a shortage of donors, the need for continuing treatment to prevent rejection, and limits to the survival of the graft, averaging 10-20 years. There exists a need for new strategies to promote regeneration of the stromal structure and restore vision. This review highlights critical contributions in regenerative medicine with the aim of corneal reconstruction after injury or disease. These approaches include corneal stromal stem cells, corneal limbal stem cells, embryonic stem cells, and other adult stem cells, as well as induced pluripotent stem cells. Stem cell-derived trophic factors in the forms of secretomes or exosomes for corneal regeneration are also discussed. Corneal sensory nerve regeneration promoting corneal transparency is discussed. This article provides description of the up-to-date options for corneal regeneration and presents exciting possible avenues for future studies toward clinical applications for corneal regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajay Kumar
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
| | - Hongmin Yun
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
| | | | - Yiqin Du
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA; Department of Developmental Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA; McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.
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29
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Holland G, Pandit A, Sánchez-Abella L, Haiek A, Loinaz I, Dupin D, Gonzalez M, Larra E, Bidaguren A, Lagali N, Moloney EB, Ritter T. Artificial Cornea: Past, Current, and Future Directions. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:770780. [PMID: 34869489 PMCID: PMC8632951 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.770780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Corneal diseases are a leading cause of blindness with an estimated 10 million patients diagnosed with bilateral corneal blindness worldwide. Corneal transplantation is highly successful in low-risk patients with corneal blindness but often fails those with high-risk indications such as recurrent or chronic inflammatory disorders, history of glaucoma and herpetic infections, and those with neovascularisation of the host bed. Moreover, the need for donor corneas greatly exceeds the supply, especially in disadvantaged countries. Therefore, artificial and bio-mimetic corneas have been investigated for patients with indications that result in keratoplasty failure. Two long-lasting keratoprostheses with different indications, the Boston type-1 keratoprostheses and osteo-odonto-keratoprostheses have been adapted to minimise complications that have arisen over time. However, both utilise either autologous tissue or an allograft cornea to increase biointegration. To step away from the need for donor material, synthetic keratoprostheses with soft skirts have been introduced to increase biointegration between the device and native tissue. The AlphaCor™, a synthetic polymer (PHEMA) hydrogel, addressed certain complications of the previous versions of keratoprostheses but resulted in stromal melting and optic deposition. Efforts are being made towards creating synthetic keratoprostheses that emulate native corneas by the inclusion of biomolecules that support enhanced biointegration of the implant while reducing stromal melting and optic deposition. The field continues to shift towards more advanced bioengineering approaches to form replacement corneas. Certain biomolecules such as collagen are being investigated to create corneal substitutes, which can be used as the basis for bio-inks in 3D corneal bioprinting. Alternatively, decellularised corneas from mammalian sources have shown potential in replicating both the corneal composition and fibril architecture. This review will discuss the limitations of keratoplasty, milestones in the history of artificial corneal development, advancements in current artificial corneas, and future possibilities in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gráinne Holland
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Regenerative Medicine Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Abhay Pandit
- CÚRAM Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre for Medical Devices, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
| | - Laura Sánchez-Abella
- CIDETEC, Basque Research and Technology Alliance, Parque Científico y Tecnológico de Gipuzkoa, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Andrea Haiek
- CIDETEC, Basque Research and Technology Alliance, Parque Científico y Tecnológico de Gipuzkoa, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Iraida Loinaz
- CIDETEC, Basque Research and Technology Alliance, Parque Científico y Tecnológico de Gipuzkoa, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Damien Dupin
- CIDETEC, Basque Research and Technology Alliance, Parque Científico y Tecnológico de Gipuzkoa, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
| | | | | | - Aritz Bidaguren
- Ophthalmology Department, Donostia University Hospital, San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Neil Lagali
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Elizabeth B. Moloney
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Regenerative Medicine Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
- CÚRAM Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre for Medical Devices, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
| | - Thomas Ritter
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Regenerative Medicine Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
- CÚRAM Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre for Medical Devices, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
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30
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Álvarez de Toledo Elizalde J, López García S, Benítez Del Castillo JM, Durán de la Colina J, Gris Castejón O, Celis Sánchez J, Herreras Cantalapiedra JM. Aniridia and the ocular surface: Medical and surgical problems and solutions. ARCHIVOS DE LA SOCIEDAD ESPANOLA DE OFTALMOLOGIA 2021; 96 Suppl 1:15-37. [PMID: 34836585 DOI: 10.1016/j.oftale.2021.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Congenital aniridia is a multisystemic genetic disease due to a mutation in PAX6 gene which severely affects the development and functionality of the human eyes. In patients affected by the mutation, aside from the absence or defects of iris tissue formation, abnormalities in position or opacities of the crystalline lens, macular hypoplasia, ocular surface disease is the main cause of visual loss and the deterioration of the quality of life of most patients. Limbal stem cell deficiency combined with tear film instability and secondary dry eye cause aniridic keratopathy which, in advanced stages, ends up in corneal opacification. In this paper, the actual knowledge about congenital aniridia keratopathy physiopathology and medical and surgical treatment options and their efficacy are discussed. Indications and results of topical treatments with artificial tears and blood-derivatives in its initial stages, and different surgical techniques as limbal stem cell transplantation, keratoplasty and keratoprostheses are reviewed. Finally, recent advances and results in regenerative medicine techniques with ex vivo stem cell cultivation or other types of cultivated cells are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - S López García
- Hospital Universitario Severo Ochoa, Leganés, Madrid, Spain
| | - J M Benítez Del Castillo
- Cátedra de Oftalmología, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Universidad Complutense, Clínica Rementería, Madrid, Spain
| | - J Durán de la Colina
- Cátedra de Oftalmología, Universidad del País Vasco, Instituto Clínico-Quirúrgico de Oftalmología, Bilbao, Spain
| | - O Gris Castejón
- Departamento de Córnea y Superficie Ocular, Instituto de Microcirugía Ocular de Barcelona (IMO), Barcelona, Spain
| | - J Celis Sánchez
- Unidad de Córnea y Superficie ocular, Hospital La Mancha-Centro, Alcázar de San Juan, Spain
| | - J M Herreras Cantalapiedra
- Instituto Universitario de Oftalmobiología Aplicada (IOBA) de la Universidad de Valladolid, Servicio de Oftalmología del Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
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31
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Riau AK, Boey KPY, Binte M Yusoff NZ, Goh TW, Yam GHF, Tang KF, Phua CSH, Chen HJ, Chiew YF, Liu YC, Mehta JS. Experiment-Based Validation of Corneal Lenticule Banking in a Health Authority-Licensed Facility. Tissue Eng Part A 2021; 28:69-83. [PMID: 34128385 DOI: 10.1089/ten.tea.2021.0042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
With the expected rise in patients undergoing refractive lenticule extraction worldwide, the number of discarded corneal stromal lenticules will increase. Therefore, establishing a lenticule bank to collect, catalog, process, cryopreserve, and distribute the lenticules (for future therapeutic needs) could be advantageous. In this study, we validated the safety of lenticule banking that involved the collection of human lenticules from our eye clinic, transportation of the lenticules to a Singapore Ministry of Health-licensed lenticule bank, processing, and cryopreservation of the lenticules, which, after 3 months or, a longer term, 12 months, were retrieved and transported to our laboratory for implantation in rabbit corneas. The lenticule collection was approved by the SingHealth Centralised Institutional Review Board (CIRB). Both short-term and long-term cryopreserved lenticules, although not as transparent as fresh lenticules due to an altered collagen fibrillar packing, did not show any sign of rejection and cytotoxicity, and did not induce haze or neovascularization for 16 weeks even when antibiotic and steroidal administration were withdrawn after 8 weeks. The lenticular transparency progressively improved and was mostly clear after 4 weeks, the same period when we observed the stabilization of corneal hydration. We showed that the equalization of the collagen fibrillar packing of the lenticules with that of the host corneal stroma contributed to the lenticular haze clearance. Most importantly, no active wound healing and inflammatory reactions were seen after 16 weeks. Our study suggests that long-term lenticule banking is a feasible approach for the storage of stromal lenticules after refractive surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andri K Riau
- Tissue Engineering and Cell Therapy Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore.,Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Academic Clinical Programme, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Kenny P Y Boey
- Group Laboratory Operations, Cordlife Group Limited, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Tze-Wei Goh
- Tissue Engineering and Cell Therapy Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Gary H F Yam
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Kin F Tang
- Group Laboratory Operations, Cordlife Group Limited, Singapore, Singapore.,Singapore Laboratory, Cordlife Group Limited, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Hui-Jun Chen
- Singapore Laboratory, Cordlife Group Limited, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yoke F Chiew
- Singapore Laboratory, Cordlife Group Limited, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yu-Chi Liu
- Tissue Engineering and Cell Therapy Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore.,Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Academic Clinical Programme, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore.,Corneal and External Eye Disease Department, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jodhbir S Mehta
- Tissue Engineering and Cell Therapy Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore.,Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Academic Clinical Programme, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore.,Corneal and External Eye Disease Department, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore, Singapore
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32
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Doroodgar F, Jabbarvand M, Niazi S, Karimian F, Niazi F, Sanginabadi A, Ghoreishi M, Alinia C, Hashemi H, Alió JL. Customized Stromal Lenticule Implantation for Keratoconus. J Refract Surg 2021; 36:786-794. [PMID: 33295990 DOI: 10.3928/1081597x-20201005-01] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the potential benefit of keratoconus surgery using customized corneal stromal donor lenticules obtained from myopic small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) surgery by femtosecond laser. METHODS In this prospective, consecutive, non-comparative series of cases, 22 lenticules were obtained from 22 myopic patients who had SMILE with a lenticule central thickness of greater than 110 µm. The lenticules were implanted in 22 eyes with advanced keratoconus. The lenticules were customized for the purpose of the implantation with either a simple necklace or necklace-with-ring shape (compound form) depending on the corneal thickness and corneal topography configuration of the implanted keratoconic eyes. The lenticules were implanted into a 9.5-mm corneal lamellar pocket created by the femtosecond laser. Changes in densitometry, thickness, confocal microscopy, corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), and endothelial cell density were investigated. RESULTS Intrastromal lenticule implantation was successfully performed in all cases without any complication. Corneal thickness showed a mean enhancement of 100.4 µm at the thinnest point. On biomicroscopy, all corneas were clear at 1 year postoperatively and there was a significant improvement in corneal densitometry during the entire follow-up period. Confocal biomicroscopy showed collagen reactivation without any inflammatory features caused by the implanted fresh lenticules. CDVA improved from 0.70 to 0.49 logMAR (P = .001) and keratometry decreased from 54.68 ± 2.77 to 51.95 ± 2.21 diopters (P = .006). CONCLUSIONS Customized SMILE lenticule implantation by femtosecond laser proved to be feasible, resulting in an improvement in vision, topography, and refraction in the implanted eyes. [J Refract Surg. 2020;36(12):786-794.].
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Guo Y, Xue Y, Wang P, Cui Z, Cao J, Liu S, Yu Q, Zeng Q, Zhu D, Xie M, Zhang J, Li Z, Liu H, Zhong J, Chen J. Muse cell spheroids have therapeutic effect on corneal scarring wound in mice and tree shrews. Sci Transl Med 2021; 12:12/562/eaaw1120. [PMID: 32967971 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aaw1120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Revised: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Stem cell therapy holds promises for treating corneal scarring. Here, we use multilineage-differentiating stress-enduring (Muse) cells to study their differentiation and therapeutic potential for treating corneal injury. Muse cells were isolated from lipoaspirate, which presented biphenotype properties of both pluripotent stem cells and some mesenchymal stem cells. Muse cells expanded by about 100-fold from the initial seeding cell number to Muse spheroids with the maintenance of the Muse cell phenotype and high cell viability at 33 days by static spheroid culture. We revealed that Muse spheroids were activated by the dynamic rotary cell culture system (RCCS), as characterized by increased stemness, improved activity, and enhanced adherence. Gene and protein expression of the pluripotent markers OCT3/4, SOX2, and NANOG and of the proliferation marker KI67 in Muse spheroids cultured under RCCS were higher than those in the static group. These activated Muse spheroids enabled ready differentiation into corneal stromal cells (CSCs) expressing characteristic marker genes and proteins. Furthermore, implantation of Muse cells-differentiated CSCs (Muse-CSCs) laden assembled with two orthogonally stacked stretched compressed collagen (cell-SCC) in mouse and tree shrew wounded corneas prevented the formation of corneal scarring, increased corneal re-epithelialization and nerve regrowth, and reduced the severity of corneal inflammation and neovascularization. cell-SCC retained the capacity to suppress corneal scarring after long-distance cryopreserved transport. Thus, Muse cell therapy is a promising avenue for developing therapeutics for treating corneal scarring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonglong Guo
- Ophthalmology Department, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.,Institute of Ophthalmology, Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yunxia Xue
- Institute of Ophthalmology, Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Peiyuan Wang
- Ophthalmology Department, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zekai Cui
- Aier Eye Institute, 18th floor, the New century building, #198 Furong Middle Road, Changsha, Hunan 410015, China
| | - Jixing Cao
- Ophthalmology Department, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shiwei Liu
- Ophthalmology Department, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Quan Yu
- Centric Laboratory, Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qiaolang Zeng
- Ophthalmology Department, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Deliang Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Information and Sensing Technologies, Guangdong Higher Educational Institutes, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Mengyuan Xie
- Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Information and Sensing Technologies, Guangdong Higher Educational Institutes, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Information and Sensing Technologies, Guangdong Higher Educational Institutes, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Zhijie Li
- Ophthalmology Department, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.,Institute of Ophthalmology, Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hongwei Liu
- Department of Plastic Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jingxiang Zhong
- Ophthalmology Department, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiansu Chen
- Ophthalmology Department, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China. .,Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.,Institute of Ophthalmology, Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.,Aier Eye Institute, 18th floor, the New century building, #198 Furong Middle Road, Changsha, Hunan 410015, China
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Mastropasqua L, Salgari N, D'Ugo E, Lanzini M, Alió Del Barrio JL, Alió JL, Cochener B, Nubile M. In Vivo Confocal Microscopy of Stromal Lenticule Addition Keratoplasty for Advanced Keratoconus. J Refract Surg 2021; 36:544-550. [PMID: 32785728 DOI: 10.3928/1081597x-20200527-01] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2019] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the in vivo corneal microscopic changes after femtosecond laser-assisted stromal lenticule addition keratoplasty in keratoconus by means of in vivo confocal microscopy. METHODS Patients affected by advanced keratoconus were included in the study. Negative meniscus-shaped stromal lenticules, produced with a femtosecond laser (VisuMax; Carl Zeiss Meditec) from eye bank corneas were transplanted into a stromal pocket dissected in the recipient cornea at a depth of 120 µm. In vivo confocal microscopy was performed during the 12-month follow-up to investigate changes of the corneal and lenticule structure. RESULTS Ten patients were enrolled in the study. No changes of the dendritic cell population were documented during the follow-up period. Mild edema and stromal keratocyte activation gradually decreased during the first month. Subbasal nerve density returned to preoperative values after 6 months. Donor-recipient interfaces appeared hyperreflective but gradually improved over time with significantly reduced reflectivity after 3 months. No evidence of stromal inflammatory cell migration or matrix opacification was observed. Endothelial and keratocyte density remained stable over time. A variable degree of stromal radially distributed folds, not visible on biomicroscopy, was observed in the lenticule and in the posterior recipient stroma. CONCLUSIONS Stromal lenticule addition keratoplasty produces transitory nerve plexus density reduction and minor inflammatory reaction that rapidly decreases during the first month. Donor-recipient interface reflectivity is comparable to a femtosecond laser refractive procedure with no sign of stromal opacification or stromal rejection in 1 year of follow-up. [J Refract Surg. 2020;36(8):544-550.].
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35
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Integration and remodelling of a collagen anterior lamellar keratoplasty graft in an animal model - A preliminary report. Exp Eye Res 2021; 209:108661. [PMID: 34102207 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2021.108661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
There is an international shortage of donor corneas for transplantation to treat the 1.5-2.0 million new cases of blindness secondary to corneal disease. Research has therefore been directed towards the development of artificial corneas using alternative materials such as collagen. The biocompatibility of an acellular collagen-based scaffold for anterior lamellar keratoplasty was investigated in vivo in a rabbit model. This scaffold has previously shown promise as a corneal substitute in vitro. Slit-lamp and Optical Coherence Tomography examinations were carried out at 2 weeks, 1, 2, 3, and 6 months post-operatively. Graft-host integration was investigated using immunohistochemistry of the cornea at 6 months. Results showed that the graft was biocompatible, supported corneal re-epithelialisation, and showed no signs of rejection. Migration of stromal cells into areas of the graft was observed, however this was accompanied by extensive graft digestion. Whilst the scaffold was biocompatible, further modifications to the material or supplementation with matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors are required to bring us closer to a stable and fully integrated corneal substitute.
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36
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El Zarif M, Alió JL, Alió Del Barrio JL, Abdul Jawad K, Palazón-Bru A, Abdul Jawad Z, De Miguel MP, Makdissy N. Corneal Stromal Regeneration Therapy for Advanced Keratoconus: Long-term Outcomes at 3 Years. Cornea 2021; 40:741-754. [PMID: 33591032 DOI: 10.1097/ico.0000000000002646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To report the 3-year clinical outcomes of corneal stromal cell therapy consisting of the intrastromal implantation with autologous adipose-derived adult stem cells (ADASCs), and decellularized or ADASC-recellularized human donor corneal laminas in advanced keratoconus. METHODS Fourteen patients were enrolled in 3 experimental groups. Group 1 (G-1) patients underwent implantation of ADASCs alone (3 × 10⁶ cells/1 mL) (n = 5). Group 2 (G-2) patients received a 120-μm decellularized corneal stroma lamina (n = 5). Group 3 (G-3) patients received a 120-μm lamina recellularized with ADASCs (1 × 10⁶ cells/1 mL) (n = 4). ADASCs were obtained by elective liposuction. Implantation was performed into a femtosecond pocket under topical anesthesia. RESULTS At 3 years, a significant improvement of 1 to 2 logMAR lines in uncorrected distance visual acuity was observed in all groups. A statistically significant decrease in corrected distance visual acuity was obtained in G-2 and G-3 (P < 0.001) when compared with that of G-1. Rigid contact lens distance visual acuity showed a statistically significant worsening in G-2 (P < 0.001) compared with that of G-1. A statistically significant increase in central corneal thickness was observed in G-2 (P = 0.012) and G-3 (P < 0.001); in the Scheimpflug corneal topography, the thinnest point was observed in G-2 (P = 0.007) and G-3 (P = 0.001) when compared with that of G-1. CONCLUSIONS Intrastromal implantation of ADASCs and decellularized or ADASC-recellularized human corneal stroma laminas did not have complications at 3 years. The technique showed a moderate improvement in (uncorrected distance visual acuity) and (corrected distance visual acuity) in advanced keratoconus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona El Zarif
- Lebaneese university Hadath: EDST of Biotechnology, Optica General, Saida, Lebanon
- Division of Ophthalmology, Universidad Miguel Hernández University, Alicante, Spain
- Lebaneese university Hadath: EDST of Biotechnology, Doctoral School of Sciences and Technology, Lebanese University, Hadath, Lebanon
- GSBT Genomic Surveillance and Biotherapy Team, Faculty of Sciences, Lebanese University, Hadath, Lebanon
| | - Jorge L Alió
- Division of Ophthalmology, Universidad Miguel Hernández University, Alicante, Spain
- Cornea, Cataract and Refractive Surgery Unit, Vissum Instituto Oftalmologico de Alicante, Grupo Miranza, Alicante, Spain
| | - Jorge L Alió Del Barrio
- Division of Ophthalmology, Universidad Miguel Hernández University, Alicante, Spain
- Cornea, Cataract and Refractive Surgery Unit, Vissum Instituto Oftalmologico de Alicante, Grupo Miranza, Alicante, Spain
| | - Karim Abdul Jawad
- Lebaneese university Hadath: EDST of Biotechnology, Optica General, Saida, Lebanon
| | - Antonio Palazón-Bru
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Miguel Hernández University, Alicante, Spain; and
| | - Ziad Abdul Jawad
- Lebaneese university Hadath: EDST of Biotechnology, Optica General, Saida, Lebanon
| | - María P De Miguel
- Cell Engineering Laboratory, IdiPAZ, La Paz Hospital Health Research Institute, Madrid, Spain
| | - Nehman Makdissy
- GSBT Genomic Surveillance and Biotherapy Team, Faculty of Sciences, Lebanese University, Hadath, Lebanon
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Fernández-Pérez J, Madden PW, Brady RT, Nowlan PF, Ahearne M. The effect of prior long-term recellularization with keratocytes of decellularized porcine corneas implanted in a rabbit anterior lamellar keratoplasty model. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0245406. [PMID: 34061862 PMCID: PMC8168847 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0245406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Decellularized porcine corneal scaffolds are a potential alternative to human cornea for keratoplasty. Although clinical trials have reported promising results, there can be corneal haze or scar tissue. Here, we examined if recellularizing the scaffolds with human keratocytes would result in a better outcome. Scaffolds were prepared that retained little DNA (14.89 ± 5.56 ng/mg) and demonstrated a lack of cytotoxicity by in vitro. The scaffolds were recellularized using human corneal stromal cells and cultured for between 14 in serum-supplemented media followed by a further 14 days in either serum free or serum-supplemented media. All groups showed full-depth cell penetration after 14 days. When serum was present, staining for ALDH3A1 remained weak but after serum-free culture, staining was brighter and the keratocytes adopted a native dendritic morphology with an increase (p < 0.05) of keratocan, decorin, lumican and CD34 gene expression. A rabbit anterior lamellar keratoplasty model was used to compare implanting a 250 μm thick decellularized lenticule against one that had been recellularized with human stromal cells after serum-free culture. In both groups, host rabbit epithelium covered the implants, but transparency was not restored after 3 months. Post-mortem histology showed under the epithelium, a less-compact collagen layer, which appeared to be a regenerating zone with some α-SMA staining, indicating fibrotic cells. In the posterior scaffold, ALDH1A1 staining was present in all the acellular scaffold, but in only one of the recellularized lenticules. Since there was little difference between acellular and cell-seeded scaffolds in our in vivo study, future scaffold development should use acellular controls to determine if cells are necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Fernández-Pérez
- Department of Mechanical, Manufacturing and Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Trinity Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Trinity Biomedical Science Institute, Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Peter W. Madden
- Department of Mechanical, Manufacturing and Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Trinity Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Trinity Biomedical Science Institute, Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Robert Thomas Brady
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Peter F. Nowlan
- School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Mark Ahearne
- Department of Mechanical, Manufacturing and Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Trinity Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Trinity Biomedical Science Institute, Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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38
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Isidan A, Liu S, Chen AM, Zhang W, Li P, Smith LJ, Hara H, Cooper DKC, Ekser B. Comparison of porcine corneal decellularization methods and importance of preserving corneal limbus through decellularization. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0243682. [PMID: 33667231 PMCID: PMC7935270 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0243682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The aim of this study is to compare the three previously applied, conventional porcine corneal decellularization methods and to demonstrate the importance of preserving the corneal limbus through decellularization. Methods Fresh, wild-type (with or without) limbus porcine corneas were decellularized using three different methods, including (i) sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), (ii) hypertonic saline (HS), and (iii) N2 gas (NG). Post-treatment evaluation was carried out using histological, residual nuclear material, and ultrastructural analyses. Glycerol was used to help reduce the adverse effects of decellularization. The corneas were preserved for two weeks in cornea storage medium. Results All three decellularization methods reduced the number of keratocytes at different rates in the stromal tissue. However, all methods, except SDS, resulted in the retention of large numbers of cells and cell fragments. The SDS method (0.1% SDS, 48h) resulted in almost 100% decellularization in corneas without limbus. Low decellularization capacity of the NG method (<50%) could make it unfavorable. Although HS method had a more balanced damage-decellularization ratio, its decellularization capacity was lower than SDS method. Preservation of the corneoscleral limbus could partially prevent structural damage and edema, but it would reduce the decellularization capacity. Conclusion Our results suggest that SDS is a very powerful decellularization method, but it damages the cornea irreversibly. Preserving the corneoscleral limbus reduces the efficiency of decellularization, but also reduces the damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdulkadir Isidan
- Transplant Division, Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indianapolis, United States of America
| | - Shaohui Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Glick Eye Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indianapolis, United States of America
| | - Angela M. Chen
- Transplant Division, Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indianapolis, United States of America
| | - Wenjun Zhang
- Transplant Division, Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indianapolis, United States of America
| | - Ping Li
- Transplant Division, Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indianapolis, United States of America
| | - Lester J. Smith
- 3D Bioprinting Core, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indianapolis, United States of America
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Indiana University of School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indianapolis, United States of America
| | - Hidetaka Hara
- Xenotransplantation Program, Department of Surgery, University of Birmingham at Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
| | - David K. C. Cooper
- Xenotransplantation Program, Department of Surgery, University of Birmingham at Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
| | - Burcin Ekser
- Transplant Division, Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indianapolis, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Fasolo A, Galzignato A, Pedrotti E, Chierego C, Cozzini T, Bonacci E, Marchini G. Femtosecond laser-assisted implantation of corneal stroma lenticule for keratoconus. Int Ophthalmol 2021; 41:1949-1957. [PMID: 33625651 PMCID: PMC8087609 DOI: 10.1007/s10792-021-01739-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Purpose To review recent progress, challenges, and future perspectives of stromal keratophakia for the treatment of advanced keratoconus. Methods We systematically reviewed the literature in the PubMed database, last update June 30, 2020. No language restriction was applied. The authors checked the reference lists of the retrieved articles to identify any additional study of interest.
Results Several techniques have been proposed for the treatment of keratoconus in order to avoid or delay keratoplasty. This was primarily due to the lack of accessibility to donor corneas in many countries. The ease and predictability of the more advanced femtosecond lasers used to correct ametropias by stromal lenticule extraction lead to hypothesize that generated refractive lenticules could be implanted into corneal stromal layers to restore volume and alter the refractive properties of the cornea in patients with corneal ectasias. At the same time, new techniques for preservation, customization, and cellular therapy of the corneal stromal have been developed, directing to the valorization of otherwise discarded byproducts such as donor corneas unsuitable for either lamellar of penetrating keratoplasty. Conclusions Femtosecond laser-assisted stromal keratophakia could be a suitable therapeutic option for the treatment of corneal ectasias, especially in patients with advanced keratoconus, providing biomechanical support recovering the pachimetry to nearly normal value at the same time. The accuracy and predictability of the refractive outcome are yet a critical issue and the patient eligible for the procedure still has to be characterized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriano Fasolo
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Eye Clinic, U.O.C. di Oculistica-Policlinico G.B. Rossi, University of Verona, P.le L.A. Scuro 10, 37134, Verona, Italy.,The Veneto Eye Bank Foundation, Venezia, Italy
| | - Alice Galzignato
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Eye Clinic, U.O.C. di Oculistica-Policlinico G.B. Rossi, University of Verona, P.le L.A. Scuro 10, 37134, Verona, Italy
| | - Emilio Pedrotti
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Eye Clinic, U.O.C. di Oculistica-Policlinico G.B. Rossi, University of Verona, P.le L.A. Scuro 10, 37134, Verona, Italy.
| | - Chiara Chierego
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Eye Clinic, U.O.C. di Oculistica-Policlinico G.B. Rossi, University of Verona, P.le L.A. Scuro 10, 37134, Verona, Italy
| | - Tiziano Cozzini
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Eye Clinic, U.O.C. di Oculistica-Policlinico G.B. Rossi, University of Verona, P.le L.A. Scuro 10, 37134, Verona, Italy
| | - Erika Bonacci
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Eye Clinic, U.O.C. di Oculistica-Policlinico G.B. Rossi, University of Verona, P.le L.A. Scuro 10, 37134, Verona, Italy
| | - Giorgio Marchini
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Eye Clinic, U.O.C. di Oculistica-Policlinico G.B. Rossi, University of Verona, P.le L.A. Scuro 10, 37134, Verona, Italy
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40
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El Zarif M, Alió JL, Alió Del Barrio JL, De Miguel MP, Abdul Jawad K, Makdissy N. Corneal Stromal Regeneration: A Review of Human Clinical Studies in Keratoconus Treatment. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:650724. [PMID: 33708786 PMCID: PMC7940685 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.650724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of advanced therapies with stem cells to reconstruct the complex tissue of corneal stroma has gained interest in recent years. Besides, collagen-based scaffolds bioengineering has been offered as another alternative over the last decade. The outcomes of the first clinical experience with stem cells therapy on corneal stroma regeneration in patients with advanced keratoconus were recently reported. Patients were distributed into three experimental groups: Group 1 (G-1) patients underwent implantation of autologous adipose-derived adult stem cells (ADASCs) alone, Group 2 (G-2) received a 120 μm decellularized donor corneal stromal laminas, and Group 3 (G-3) received a 120 μm recellularized donor laminas with ADASCs. A follow up of 36 months of clinical data, and 12 months of confocal microscopy study was performed, the authors found significant clinical improvement in almost all studied mean values of primary and secondary outcomes. Corneal confocal microscopy demonstrated an increase in cell density in the host stroma, as well as in the implanted tissue. Using different approaches, allogenic small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) implantation was applied in cases with advanced keratoconus. Some authors reported the implantation of SMILE intrastromal lenticules combined with accelerated collagen cross-linking. Others performed intrastromal implantation of negative meniscus-shaped corneal stroma lenticules. Others have compared the outcomes of penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) vs. small-incision Intralase femtosecond (IFS) intracorneal concave lenticule implantation (SFII). Femtosecond laser-assisted small incision sutureless intrasotromal lamellar keratoplasty (SILK) has been also investigated. The published evidence shows that the implantation of autologous ADASCs, decellularized or recellularized human corneal stroma, allogenic SMILE lenticules corneal inlay, and recombinant cross-linked collagen have shown initially to be potentially effective for the treatment of advanced keratoconus. In light of the present evidence available, it can be said that the era of corneal stromal regeneration therapy has been already started.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona El Zarif
- Optica General, Saida, Lebanon.,Division of Ophthalmology, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Alicante, Spain.,Faculty of Sciences, GSBT Genomic Surveillance and Biotherapy Team, Mont Michel Campus, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon.,Doctoral School of Sciences and Technology, Lebanese University, Hadath, Lebanon
| | - Jorge L Alió
- Division of Ophthalmology, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Alicante, Spain.,Cornea, Cataract and Refractive Surgery Unit, Vissum (Miranza Group), Alicante, Spain
| | - Jorge L Alió Del Barrio
- Division of Ophthalmology, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Alicante, Spain.,Cornea, Cataract and Refractive Surgery Unit, Vissum (Miranza Group), Alicante, Spain
| | - Maria P De Miguel
- Cell Engineering Laboratory, IdiPAZ, La Paz Hospital Research Institute, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Nehman Makdissy
- Faculty of Sciences, GSBT Genomic Surveillance and Biotherapy Team, Mont Michel Campus, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
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41
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Oie Y, Komoto S, Kawasaki R. Systematic review of clinical research on regenerative medicine for the cornea. Jpn J Ophthalmol 2021; 65:169-183. [PMID: 33591470 DOI: 10.1007/s10384-021-00821-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To conduct a systematic review of clinical research on the use of regenerative medicine for the cornea in human patients. METHODS A systematic literature search of MEDLINE and the Cochrane Library was performed in May 2020. RESULTS Forty-two articles were identified. Thirty-eight of those articles focused on the treatment for limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD), of which 17 articles involved autologous cultured limbal epithelial cell sheet transplantation (CLET), 13 involved allogeneic CLET, and 14 involved autologous cultured oral mucosal epithelial cell sheet transplantation (COMET). For autologous CLET, the median ocular surface reconstruction rate, visual recovery rate, incidence of immunologic rejection, infectious keratitis, and ocular hypertension/glaucoma were 74.1%, 54.5%, 0%, 4.6%, and 6.3%, respectively. For allogeneic CLET, they were 71.4%, 71.4%, 7.1%, 12.0%, and 7.1%, respectively. For autologous COMET, they were 66.7%, 66.7%, 0%, 5.3%, and 8.1%, respectively. Systemic immunosuppressants and steroid medications were predominantly used following allogeneic CLET, whereas they were not routinely used after autologous CLET. Three studies focused on the treatment of keratoconus using autologous adipose-derived adult stem cells and reported no marked adverse events. One study reported on the treatment of bullous keratopathy using allogeneic cultured corneal endothelial cells. All patients achieved an endothelial cell density of >500 cells, and the corrected distance visual acuity improved in 82% of the treated eyes. CONCLUSIONS The results show that regenerative medicine for the cornea demonstrated a satisfactory efficacy and safety. Through translational research, we are expecting to establish a new treatment for waiting patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshinori Oie
- Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Room E7, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
| | - Shimpei Komoto
- Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Room E7, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Ryo Kawasaki
- Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Room E7, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
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Polisetti N, Schmid A, Schlötzer-Schrehardt U, Maier P, Lang SJ, Steinberg T, Schlunck G, Reinhard T. A decellularized human corneal scaffold for anterior corneal surface reconstruction. Sci Rep 2021; 11:2992. [PMID: 33542377 PMCID: PMC7862698 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-82678-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Allogenic transplants of the cornea are prone to rejection, especially in repetitive transplantation and in scarred or highly vascularized recipient sites. Patients with these ailments would particularly benefit from the possibility to use non-immunogenic decellularized tissue scaffolds for transplantation, which may be repopulated by host cells in situ or in vitro. So, the aim of this study was to develop a fast and efficient decellularization method for creating a human corneal extracellular matrix scaffold suitable for repopulation with human cells from the corneal limbus. To decellularize human donor corneas, sodium deoxycholate, deoxyribonuclease I, and dextran were assessed to remove cells and nuclei and to control tissue swelling, respectively. We evaluated the decellularization effects on the ultrastructure, optical, mechanical, and biological properties of the human cornea. Scaffold recellularization was studied using primary human limbal epithelial cells, stromal cells, and melanocytes in vitro and a lamellar transplantation approach ex vivo. Our data strongly suggest that this approach allowed the effective removal of cellular and nuclear material in a very short period of time while preserving extracellular matrix proteins, glycosaminoglycans, tissue structure, and optical transmission properties. In vitro recellularization demonstrated good biocompatibility of the decellularized human cornea and ex vivo transplantation revealed complete epithelialization and stromal repopulation from the host tissue. Thus, the generated decellularized human corneal scaffold could be a promising biological material for anterior corneal reconstruction in the treatment of corneal defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naresh Polisetti
- Eye Center, Medical Center - Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Killianstrasse 5, 79106, Freiburg, Germany.
| | - Anke Schmid
- Eye Center, Medical Center - Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Killianstrasse 5, 79106, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Ursula Schlötzer-Schrehardt
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schwabachanlage 6, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Philip Maier
- Eye Center, Medical Center - Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Killianstrasse 5, 79106, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Stefan J Lang
- Eye Center, Medical Center - Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Killianstrasse 5, 79106, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Thorsten Steinberg
- Department of Operative Dentistry and Periodontology, Division of Oral Biotechnology, University of Freiburg, Hugstetter Strasse 55, 79106, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Günther Schlunck
- Eye Center, Medical Center - Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Killianstrasse 5, 79106, Freiburg, Germany.
| | - Thomas Reinhard
- Eye Center, Medical Center - Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Killianstrasse 5, 79106, Freiburg, Germany
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Aghamollaei H, Hashemian H, Safabakhsh H, Halabian R, Baghersad M, Jadidi K. Safety of grafting acellular human corneal lenticule seeded with Wharton's Jelly-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in an experimental animal model. Exp Eye Res 2021; 205:108451. [PMID: 33539864 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2021.108451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The present study was conducted to evaluate safety of grafting acellular human corneal lenticule seeded with Wharton's Jelly-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells (WJSC) in an experimental animal model. Human corneal lenticules were decellularized with a rate of about 97% with an acceptable lack of cytotoxicity and relatively intact ultrastructure of the lenticules. 12 rabbits underwent unilateral stromal pocketing with implantation of decellularized lenticules. Implantation was performed for 6 rabbits along with graft recellularization with WJSCs. Rabbits were euthanized after 1 month (n = 6) and 3 months (n = 6) to evaluate progression of graft bio-integration. No clinical rejection sign was detected during the study. Histopathological analysis showed that, grafts were integrated well with the least distortion of surrounding collagen bundles. After 3 months, labeled WJCS was detected representing viability of stem cells in the host. Increased expression of keratocyte-specific markers showed the potential of recruiting WJSCs as keratocyte progenitor cells to reinforce corneal ultrastructure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hossein Aghamollaei
- Chemical Injuries Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Applied Biotechnology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Hesam Hashemian
- Farabi Eye Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamidreza Safabakhsh
- Applied Biotechnology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Raheleh Halabian
- Applied Microbiology Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahdi Baghersad
- Chemical Injuries Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Khosrow Jadidi
- Chemical Injuries Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Epithelial and stromal remodelling following femtosecond laser-assisted stromal lenticule addition keratoplasty (SLAK) for keratoconus. Sci Rep 2021; 11:2293. [PMID: 33504829 PMCID: PMC7840927 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-81626-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate corneal epithelium and stromal remodelling with anterior segment optical coherence tomography in patients who have undergone stromal lenticule addition keratoplasty (SLAK) for advanced keratoconus. This was a prospective non-comparative observational study. Fifteen eyes of 15 patients with advanced keratoconus underwent implantation with a cadaveric, donor negative meniscus-shaped intrastromal lenticule, produced with a femtosecond laser, into a stromal pocket dissected in the recipient cornea at a depth of 120 μm. Simulated keratometry, central corneal thickness (CTT), corneal thinnest point (CTP), central epithelial thickness (CET), central and peripheral lenticule thickness, anterior and posterior stromal thickness were measured. Regional central corneal epithelial thickness (CET) and variations in the inner annular area (IAT) and outer annular area (OAT) were also analysed. All parameters were measured preoperatively and 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. The average anterior Sim-k decreased from 59.63 ± 7.58 preoperatively to 57.19 ± 6.33 D 6 months postoperatively. CCT, CTP, CET, and OAT increased and IAT decreased significantly after 1 month. All parameters appeared unchanged at 6-months except that of OAT that further increased. Lenticule thickness was stable. In conclusion we observed that SLAK reshapes the cornea by central flattening with stromal thickening and epithelial thickness restoration.
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Atalay E, Özalp O, Yıldırım N. Advances in the diagnosis and treatment of keratoconus. Ther Adv Ophthalmol 2021; 13:25158414211012796. [PMID: 34263132 PMCID: PMC8246497 DOI: 10.1177/25158414211012796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Keratoconus had traditionally been considered a rare disease at a time when the imaging technology was inept in detecting subtle manifestations, resulting in more severe disease at presentation. The increased demand for refractive surgery in recent years also made it essential to more effectively detect keratoconus before attempting any ablative procedure. Consequently, the armamentarium of tools that can be used to diagnose and treat keratoconus has significantly expanded. The advances in imaging technology have allowed clinicians and researchers alike to visualize the cornea layer by layer looking for any early changes that might be indicative of keratoconus. In addition to the conventional geometrical evaluation, efforts are also underway to enable spatially resolved corneal biomechanical evaluation. Artificial intelligence has been exploited in a multitude of ways to enhance diagnostic efficiency and to guide treatment. As for treatment, corneal cross-linking treatment remains the mainstay preventive approach, yet the current main focus of research is on increasing oxygen availability and developing new strategies to improve riboflavin permeability during the procedure. Some new combined protocols are being proposed to simultaneously halt keratoconus progression and correct refractive error. Bowman layer transplantation and additive keratoplasty are newly emerging alternatives to conventional keratoplasty techniques that are used in keratoconus surgery. Advances in tissue engineering and regenerative therapy might bring new perspectives for treatment at the cellular level and hence obviate the need for invasive surgeries. In this review, we describe the advances in the diagnosis and treatment of keratoconus primarily focusing on newly emerging approaches and strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eray Atalay
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical School, Eskişehir Osmangazi University, Meşelik Kampüsü, Odunpazarı, Eskişehir 26040, Turkey
| | - Onur Özalp
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical School, Eskişehir Osmangazi University, Eskişehir, Turkey
| | - Nilgün Yıldırım
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical School, Eskişehir Osmangazi University, Eskişehir, Turkey
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Wang Z, Kapadia W, Li C, Lin F, Pereira RF, Granja PL, Sarmento B, Cui W. Tissue-specific engineering: 3D bioprinting in regenerative medicine. J Control Release 2021; 329:237-256. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2020.11.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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47
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El Zarif M, Alió Del Barrio JL, Arnalich-Montiel F, De Miguel MP, Makdissy N, Alió JL. Corneal Stroma Regeneration: New Approach for the Treatment of Cornea Disease. Asia Pac J Ophthalmol (Phila) 2020; 9:571-579. [PMID: 33181549 DOI: 10.1097/apo.0000000000000337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Corneal grafting is one of the most common forms of human tissue transplantation. The corneal stroma is responsible for many characteristics of the cornea. For these reasons, an important volume of research has been made to replicate the corneal stroma in the laboratory to find an alternative to classical corneal transplantation techniques.There is an increasing interest today in cell therapy of the corneal stroma using induced pluripotent stem cells or mesenchymal stem cells since these cells have shown to be capable of producing new collagen within the host stroma and even to improve its transparency.The first clinical experiment on corneal stroma regeneration in advanced keratoconus cases has been reported and included. Fourteen patients were randomized and enrolled into 3 experimental groups: (1) patients underwent implantation of autologous adipose-derived adult stem cells alone, (2) patients received decellularized donor corneal stroma laminas, and (3) patients received implantation of recellularized donor laminas with adipose-derived adult stem cells. Clinical improvement was detected with all cases in their visual, pachymetric, and topographic parameters of the operated corneas.Other recent studies have used allogenic SMILE implantation lenticule corneal inlays, showing also an improvement in different visual, topographic, and keratometric parameters.In the present report, we try to summarize the available preclinical and clinical evidence about the emerging topic of corneal stroma regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- M El Zarif
- Optica General, Saida, Lebanon
- Division of Ophthalmology, Universidad Miguel Hernández University, Alicante, Spain
- Lebanese University, Faculty of Sciences, Genomic Surveillance and Biotherapy Team, Mont Michel Campus, Lebanon
- Lebanese University, Doctoral School of Sciences and Technology, Hadath, Lebanon
| | - J L Alió Del Barrio
- Cornea, Cataract, and Refractive Surgery Unit, Vissum Corporación, Alicante, Spain
- Division of Ophthalmology, Universidad Miguel Hernández University, Alicante, Spain
| | - Francisco Arnalich-Montiel
- Cornea, Cataract, and Refractive Surgery Unit, Vissum Corporación, Alicante, Spain
- IRYCIS, Ophthalmology Department, Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - María P De Miguel
- Cell Engineering Laboratory, IdiPAZ, La Paz Hospital Research Institute, Madrid, Spain
| | - Nehman Makdissy
- Lebanese University, Faculty of Sciences, Genomic Surveillance and Biotherapy Team, Mont Michel Campus, Lebanon
| | - Jorge L Alió
- Cornea, Cataract, and Refractive Surgery Unit, Vissum Corporación, Alicante, Spain
- Division of Ophthalmology, Universidad Miguel Hernández University, Alicante, Spain
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48
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Sachdev MS. Refractive surgery: Where are we today? Indian J Ophthalmol 2020; 68:2641-2642. [PMID: 33229631 PMCID: PMC7856938 DOI: 10.4103/0301-4738.301284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Mahipal S Sachdev
- Managing Editor, Indian Journal of Ophthalmology; President, All India Ophthalmological Society; Chairman, Centre for Sight, B-5/24, Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi - 110029, India
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49
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Alió Del Barrio JL, Arnalich-Montiel F, De Miguel MP, El Zarif M, Alió JL. Corneal stroma regeneration: Preclinical studies. Exp Eye Res 2020; 202:108314. [PMID: 33164825 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2020.108314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Revised: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Corneal grafting is one of the most common and successful forms of human tissue transplantation in the world, but the need for corneal grafting is growing and availability of human corneal donor tissue to fulfill this increasing demand is not assured worldwide. The stroma is responsible for many features of the cornea, including its strength, refractive power and transparency, so enormous efforts have been put into replicating the corneal stroma in the laboratory to find an alternative to classical corneal transplantation. Unfortunately this has not been yet accomplished due to the extreme difficulty in mimicking the highly complex ultrastructure of the corneal stroma, and none of the obtained substitutes that have been assayed has been able to replicate this complexity yet. In general, they can neither match the mechanical properties nor recreate the local nanoscale organization and thus the transparency and optical properties of a normal cornea. In this context, there is an increasing interest in cellular therapy of the corneal stroma using Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs) or mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from either ocular or extraocular sources, as they have proven to be capable of producing new collagen within the host stroma, modulate preexisting scars and enhance transparency by corneal stroma remodeling. Despite some early clinical data is already available, in the current article we will summary the available preclinical evidence about the topic corneal stroma regeneration. Both, in vitro and in vivo experiments in the animal model will be shown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge L Alió Del Barrio
- Cornea, Cataract and Refractive Surgery Unit, Vissum (Miranza Group), Alicante, Spain; Division of Ophthalmology, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Alicante, Spain
| | - Francisco Arnalich-Montiel
- IRYCIS. Ophthalmology Department. Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, Madrid, Spain; Cornea Unit. Hospital Vissum Madrid (Miranza Group), Madrid, Spain
| | - María P De Miguel
- Cell Engineering Laboratory, IdiPAZ, La Paz Hospital Research Institute, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Jorge L Alió
- Cornea, Cataract and Refractive Surgery Unit, Vissum (Miranza Group), Alicante, Spain; Division of Ophthalmology, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Alicante, Spain.
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Xie L, Ouyang C, Ji J, Wu J, Dong X, Hou C, Huang T. Construction of bioengineered corneal stromal implants using an allogeneic cornea-derived matrix. MATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING. C, MATERIALS FOR BIOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS 2020; 120:111673. [PMID: 33545838 DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2020.111673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The bioengineering of corneal scaffolds that mimic native human cornea has attracted interest owing to the scarcity of donor corneas for the transplantation-based treatment of corneal blindness. However, an optimally engineered corneal tissue for clinical use has yet to emerge. Herein, human corneal tissues discarded during allogeneic corneal transplantation surgery were used to construct allogeneic cornea-derived matrix (ACM) scaffolds with favorable optical properties and structural strength. During scaffold fabrication, collagen and glycosaminoglycan levels were well preserved, while DNA decreased significantly. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the presence of fiber-like structures on the scaffold surface and specific structures featuring multiple interlaced lamellae in cross-sections. Moreover, corneal epithelial cells grown on the ACM formed a continuous multi-stratified epithelium with a strong expression of the corneal epithelial differentiation marker CK3/12, gap junction marker Connexin43, and stem-cell-specific marker p63α, while corneal stromal cells expressed the keratocyte-specific marker KERA and the adhesion marker integrin β1. When the ACM was implanted into rabbit corneal stromal pockets, the rabbit cornea remained transparent throughout the follow-up period. These results indicate that the construction of corneal stromal implants from discarded human corneal tissues may pave the way for the generation of high-quality corneal tissue for transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijie Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, PR China
| | - Chen Ouyang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, PR China
| | - Jianping Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, PR China
| | - Jing Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, PR China
| | - Xiaojuan Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, PR China
| | - Chao Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, PR China
| | - Ting Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, PR China.
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