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Thimm A, Brakemeier S, Dag M, Munoz Rosales J, Stolte B, Kleinschnitz C, Stettner M, Hagenacker T. Corneal confocal microscopy reveals small nerve fibre loss correlating with motor function in adult spinal muscular atrophy. Eur J Neurol 2023; 30:2821-2827. [PMID: 37159488 DOI: 10.1111/ene.15852] [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: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND 5q Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a progressive, inherited, and severely disabling - yet treatable - motor neuron disease. Although treatment options have evolved in recent years, biomarkers for treatment monitoring and prognosis prediction remain elusive. Here, we investigated the utility of corneal confocal microscopy (CCM), a non-invasive imaging technique to quantify small corneal nerve fibres in vivo, as a diagnostic tool in adult SMA. METHODS In this cross-sectional study, 19 patients with SMA type 3 and 19 healthy controls underwent CCM to measure corneal nerve fibre density (CNFD), corneal nerve fibre length (CNFL), and corneal nerve branch density (CNBD), as well as corneal immune cell infiltration. Hammersmith Functional Motor Scale Expanded (HFMSE) and Revised Upper Limb Module (RULM) scores and a 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) were conducted to explore any correlation between CCM findings and motor function. RESULTS Corneal nerve fibre parameters were decreased in SMA patients versus healthy controls (CNFD: p = 0.030; CNFL: p = 0.013; CNBD: p = 0.020) in the absence of relevant immune cell infiltration. CNFD and CNFL correlated with HFMSE scores (CNFD: r = 0.492, p = 0.038; CNFL: r = 0.484, p = 0.042) and distance covered in the 6MWT (CNFD: r = 0.502, p = 0.042; CNFL: r = 0.553, p = 0.023). CONCLUSIONS Corneal confocal microscopy CCM reveals sensory neurodegeneration in SMA, thereby supporting a multisystem view of the disorder. Subclinical small nerve fibre damage correlated with motor function. Thus, CCM may be ideally suited for treatment monitoring and prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Thimm
- Department of Neurology and Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Svenja Brakemeier
- Department of Neurology and Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Merve Dag
- Department of Neurology and Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Juan Munoz Rosales
- Department of Neurology and Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Benjamin Stolte
- Department of Neurology and Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Christoph Kleinschnitz
- Department of Neurology and Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Mark Stettner
- Department of Neurology and Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Tim Hagenacker
- Department of Neurology and Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
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Thimm A, Carpinteiro A, Oubari S, Papathanasiou M, Kessler L, Rischpler C, Malik RA, Herrmann K, Reinhardt HC, Rassaf T, Kleinschnitz C, Hagenacker T, Stettner M. Corneal confocal microscopy identifies corneal nerve loss and increased Langerhans cells in presymptomatic carriers and patients with hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis. J Neurol 2023:10.1007/s00415-023-11689-z. [PMID: 37014422 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-023-11689-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTRv amyloidosis) is a rare, but life-threatening protein misfolding disorder due to TTR gene mutations. Cardiomyopathy (ATTRv-CM) and polyneuropathy (ATTRv-PN) with early small nerve fibre involvement are the most common manifestations. Timely diagnosis and treatment initiation are key to limiting progression of disease. Corneal confocal microscopy (CCM) is a non-invasive method to quantify corneal small nerve fibres and immune cell infiltrates in vivo. METHODS This cross-sectional study investigated the utility of CCM in 20 patients with ATTRv amyloidosis (ATTRv-CM, n = 6; ATTRv-PN, n = 14) and presymptomatic carriers (n = 5) compared to 20 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Corneal nerve fibre density, corneal nerve fibre length, corneal nerve branch density, and cell infiltrates were assessed. RESULTS Corneal nerve fibre density and nerve fibre length were significantly lower in patients with ATTRv amyloidosis compared to healthy controls regardless of the clinical phenotype (ATTRv-CM, ATTRv-PN) and corneal nerve fibre density was significantly lower in presymptomatic carriers. Immune cell infiltrates were only evident in patients with ATTRv amyloidosis, which correlated with reduced corneal nerve fibre density. CONCLUSIONS CCM identifies small nerve fibre damage in presymptomatic carriers and symptomatic patients with ATTRv amyloidosis and may serve as a predictive surrogate marker to identify individuals at risk of developing symptomatic amyloidosis. Furthermore, increased corneal cell infiltration suggests an immune-mediated mechanism in the pathogenesis of amyloid neuropathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Thimm
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45147, Essen, Germany.
- Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Scienes (C-TNBS), University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany.
| | - Alexander Carpinteiro
- Department of Hematology and Stem Cell Transplantation, West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
- Institute of Molecular Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Sara Oubari
- Department of Hematology and Stem Cell Transplantation, West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Maria Papathanasiou
- Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, West German Heart and Vascular Center, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Lukas Kessler
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | | | - Rayaz Ahmed Malik
- Institute of Cardiovascular Science, Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Education City, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ken Herrmann
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Hans Christian Reinhardt
- Department of Hematology and Stem Cell Transplantation, West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Tienush Rassaf
- Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, West German Heart and Vascular Center, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Christoph Kleinschnitz
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45147, Essen, Germany
- Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Scienes (C-TNBS), University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Tim Hagenacker
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45147, Essen, Germany
- Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Scienes (C-TNBS), University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Mark Stettner
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45147, Essen, Germany
- Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Scienes (C-TNBS), University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
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3
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Thimm A, Carpinteiro A, Oubari S, Papathanasiou M, Kessler L, Rischpler C, Malik RA, Reinhardt HC, Rassaf T, Herrmann K, Kleinschnitz C, Stettner M, Hagenacker T. Corneal confocal microscopy to detect early immune-mediated small nerve fibre loss in AL amyloidosis. Ann Clin Transl Neurol 2022; 9:853-863. [PMID: 35488792 PMCID: PMC9186132 DOI: 10.1002/acn3.51565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Light chain (AL) amyloidosis is a life‐threatening disorder characterised by extracellular deposition of amyloid leading to dysfunction of multiple organs. Peripheral nerve involvement, particularly small fibre neuropathy, may be associated with poorer survival. Corneal confocal microscopy (CCM) is a rapid and non‐invasive imaging technique to quantify corneal small nerve fibres and immune cells in vivo. We aimed to evaluate CCM as a tool for early diagnosis of peripheral nerve involvement in AL amyloidosis. Methods CCM and nerve conduction studies (NCS) were undertaken in 21 newly diagnosed, treatment‐naïve AL amyloidosis patients and 21 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls. Corneal nerve fibre density (CNFD), corneal nerve branch density and fibre length, and cell infiltrates were quantified in the sub‐basal layer of the cornea. Results There was a significant reduction in CNFD and nerve fibre length, even without large fibre affection and an increase in cell density, particularly around corneal nerve fibres in patients with AL amyloidosis compared to controls. Additionally, cell infiltration correlated with reduced nerve fibre density in patients with AL amyloidosis, but reduced CNFD did not correlate with laboratory parameters of organ dysfunction. Interpretation Our study is the first to show that CCM allows rapid non‐invasive identification of early small nerve fibre damage associated with immune cell infiltration in patients with AL amyloidosis. CCM detects peripheral nerve involvement more sensitively than NCS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Thimm
- Department of Neurology and Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Alexander Carpinteiro
- Department of Hematology and Stem Cell Transplantation, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany.,Institute of Molecular Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Sara Oubari
- Department of Hematology and Stem Cell Transplantation, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Maria Papathanasiou
- Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, West German Heart and Vascular Center, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Lukas Kessler
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | | | - Rayaz Ahmed Malik
- Institute of Cardiovascular Science, Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.,Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Education City, Doha, Qatar
| | - Hans Christian Reinhardt
- Department of Hematology and Stem Cell Transplantation, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Tienush Rassaf
- Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, West German Heart and Vascular Center, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Ken Herrmann
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Christoph Kleinschnitz
- Department of Neurology and Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Mark Stettner
- Department of Neurology and Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Tim Hagenacker
- Department of Neurology and Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
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Efron N. Contact lens wear is intrinsically inflammatory. Clin Exp Optom 2021; 100:3-19. [DOI: 10.1111/cxo.12487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2016] [Revised: 05/07/2016] [Accepted: 06/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Nathan Efron
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation and School of Optometry and Vision Science, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Queensland, Australia,
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5
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Fleischer M, Lee I, Erdlenbruch F, Hinrichs L, Petropoulos IN, Malik RA, Hartung HP, Kieseier BC, Kleinschnitz C, Stettner M. Corneal confocal microscopy differentiates inflammatory from diabetic neuropathy. J Neuroinflammation 2021; 18:89. [PMID: 33832507 PMCID: PMC8033689 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-021-02130-1] [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: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immune-mediated neuropathies, such as chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) are treatable neuropathies. Among individuals with diabetic neuropathy, it remains a challenge to identify those individuals who develop CIDP. Corneal confocal microscopy (CCM) has been shown to detect corneal nerve fiber loss and cellular infiltrates in the sub-basal layer of the cornea. The objective of the study was to determine whether CCM can distinguish diabetic neuropathy from CIDP and whether CCM can detect CIDP in persons with coexisting diabetes. METHODS In this multicenter, case-control study, participants with CIDP (n = 55) with (n = 10) and without (n = 45) diabetes; participants with diabetes (n = 58) with (n = 28) and without (n = 30) diabetic neuropathy, and healthy controls (n = 58) underwent CCM. Corneal nerve fiber density (CNFD), corneal nerve fiber length (CNFL), corneal nerve branch density (CNBD), and dendritic and non-dendritic cell density, with or without nerve fiber contact were quantified. RESULTS Dendritic cell density in proximity to corneal nerve fibers was significantly higher in participants with CIDP with and without diabetes compared to participants with diabetic neuropathy and controls. CNFD, CNFL, and CNBD were equally reduced in participants with CIDP, diabetic neuropathy, and CIDP with diabetes. CONCLUSIONS An increase in dendritic cell density identifies persons with CIDP. CCM may, therefore, be useful to differentiate inflammatory from non-inflammatory diabetic neuropathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Fleischer
- Department of Neurology and Center for Translational and Behavioral Neurosciences (C-TNBS), University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Inn Lee
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Friedrich Erdlenbruch
- Department of Neurology and Center for Translational and Behavioral Neurosciences (C-TNBS), University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Lena Hinrichs
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Ioannis N Petropoulos
- Institute of Cardiovascular Science, Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.,Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Educator City, Doha, Qatar
| | - Rayaz A Malik
- Institute of Cardiovascular Science, Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.,Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Educator City, Doha, Qatar
| | - Hans-Peter Hartung
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany.,Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.,Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Neurology, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Bernd C Kieseier
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Christoph Kleinschnitz
- Department of Neurology and Center for Translational and Behavioral Neurosciences (C-TNBS), University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Mark Stettner
- Department of Neurology and Center for Translational and Behavioral Neurosciences (C-TNBS), University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
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6
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Guérin LP, Le-Bel G, Desjardins P, Couture C, Gillard E, Boisselier É, Bazin R, Germain L, Guérin SL. The Human Tissue-Engineered Cornea (hTEC): Recent Progress. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22031291. [PMID: 33525484 PMCID: PMC7865732 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22031291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Each day, about 2000 U.S. workers have a job-related eye injury requiring medical treatment. Corneal diseases are the fifth cause of blindness worldwide. Most of these diseases can be cured using one form or another of corneal transplantation, which is the most successful transplantation in humans. In 2012, it was estimated that 12.7 million people were waiting for a corneal transplantation worldwide. Unfortunately, only 1 in 70 patients received a corneal graft that same year. In order to provide alternatives to the shortage of graftable corneas, considerable progress has been achieved in the development of living corneal substitutes produced by tissue engineering and designed to mimic their in vivo counterpart in terms of cell phenotype and tissue architecture. Most of these substitutes use synthetic biomaterials combined with immortalized cells, which makes them dissimilar from the native cornea. However, studies have emerged that describe the production of tridimensional (3D) tissue-engineered corneas using untransformed human corneal epithelial cells grown on a totally natural stroma synthesized by living corneal fibroblasts, that also show appropriate histology and expression of both extracellular matrix (ECM) components and integrins. This review highlights contributions from laboratories working on the production of human tissue-engineered corneas (hTECs) as future substitutes for grafting purposes. It overviews alternative models to the grafting of cadaveric corneas where cell organization is provided by the substrate, and then focuses on their 3D counterparts that are closer to the native human corneal architecture because of their tissue development and cell arrangement properties. These completely biological hTECs are therefore very promising as models that may help understand many aspects of the molecular and cellular mechanistic response of the cornea toward different types of diseases or wounds, as well as assist in the development of novel drugs that might be promising for therapeutic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louis-Philippe Guérin
- CUO-Recherche, Médecine Régénératrice—Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1S 4L8, Canada; (L.-P.G.); (G.L.-B.); (P.D.); (C.C.); (E.G.); (É.B.); (R.B.); (L.G.)
- Centre de Recherche en Organogénèse Expérimentale de l’Université Laval/LOEX, Québec, QC G1J 1Z4, Canada
- Département d’Ophtalmologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Gaëtan Le-Bel
- CUO-Recherche, Médecine Régénératrice—Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1S 4L8, Canada; (L.-P.G.); (G.L.-B.); (P.D.); (C.C.); (E.G.); (É.B.); (R.B.); (L.G.)
- Centre de Recherche en Organogénèse Expérimentale de l’Université Laval/LOEX, Québec, QC G1J 1Z4, Canada
- Département d’Ophtalmologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
- Département de Chirurgie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Pascale Desjardins
- CUO-Recherche, Médecine Régénératrice—Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1S 4L8, Canada; (L.-P.G.); (G.L.-B.); (P.D.); (C.C.); (E.G.); (É.B.); (R.B.); (L.G.)
- Centre de Recherche en Organogénèse Expérimentale de l’Université Laval/LOEX, Québec, QC G1J 1Z4, Canada
- Département d’Ophtalmologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
- Département de Chirurgie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Camille Couture
- CUO-Recherche, Médecine Régénératrice—Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1S 4L8, Canada; (L.-P.G.); (G.L.-B.); (P.D.); (C.C.); (E.G.); (É.B.); (R.B.); (L.G.)
- Centre de Recherche en Organogénèse Expérimentale de l’Université Laval/LOEX, Québec, QC G1J 1Z4, Canada
- Département d’Ophtalmologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
- Département de Chirurgie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Elodie Gillard
- CUO-Recherche, Médecine Régénératrice—Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1S 4L8, Canada; (L.-P.G.); (G.L.-B.); (P.D.); (C.C.); (E.G.); (É.B.); (R.B.); (L.G.)
- Centre de Recherche en Organogénèse Expérimentale de l’Université Laval/LOEX, Québec, QC G1J 1Z4, Canada
- Département d’Ophtalmologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Élodie Boisselier
- CUO-Recherche, Médecine Régénératrice—Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1S 4L8, Canada; (L.-P.G.); (G.L.-B.); (P.D.); (C.C.); (E.G.); (É.B.); (R.B.); (L.G.)
- Centre de Recherche en Organogénèse Expérimentale de l’Université Laval/LOEX, Québec, QC G1J 1Z4, Canada
- Département d’Ophtalmologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Richard Bazin
- CUO-Recherche, Médecine Régénératrice—Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1S 4L8, Canada; (L.-P.G.); (G.L.-B.); (P.D.); (C.C.); (E.G.); (É.B.); (R.B.); (L.G.)
- Centre de Recherche en Organogénèse Expérimentale de l’Université Laval/LOEX, Québec, QC G1J 1Z4, Canada
- Département d’Ophtalmologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Lucie Germain
- CUO-Recherche, Médecine Régénératrice—Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1S 4L8, Canada; (L.-P.G.); (G.L.-B.); (P.D.); (C.C.); (E.G.); (É.B.); (R.B.); (L.G.)
- Centre de Recherche en Organogénèse Expérimentale de l’Université Laval/LOEX, Québec, QC G1J 1Z4, Canada
- Département d’Ophtalmologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
- Département de Chirurgie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Sylvain L. Guérin
- CUO-Recherche, Médecine Régénératrice—Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1S 4L8, Canada; (L.-P.G.); (G.L.-B.); (P.D.); (C.C.); (E.G.); (É.B.); (R.B.); (L.G.)
- Centre de Recherche en Organogénèse Expérimentale de l’Université Laval/LOEX, Québec, QC G1J 1Z4, Canada
- Département d’Ophtalmologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-418-682-7565
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7
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Jamali A, Seyed-Razavi Y, Chao C, Ortiz G, Kenyon B, Blanco T, Harris DL, Hamrah P. Intravital Multiphoton Microscopy of the Ocular Surface: Alterations in Conventional Dendritic Cell Morphology and Kinetics in Dry Eye Disease. Front Immunol 2020; 11:742. [PMID: 32457740 PMCID: PMC7227427 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Dry eye disease (DED) is a multifactorial disease of the ocular surface, characterized by loss of tear film homeostasis and ocular symptoms, in which neurosensory abnormalities have recently been shown to play an etiological role. Although the role of inflammation has been widely studied in DED, the kinetics of immune cells of the ocular surface in this complex disease are hereto unclear. Herein, we utilized intravital multiphoton imaging on transgenic mice to investigate the 3D morphology and kinetics of conventional dendritic cells (cDCs) and the role of ocular surface sensory nerves in regulating them in both the naïve state and experimental DED. Mice with DED had significantly lower tear secretion (p < 0.01), greater corneal fluorescein staining (p < 0.001), and higher cDC density in the ocular surface (p < 0.05), compared to naïve mice. cDCs in DED mice showed morphological alterations in the limbus, exhibiting smaller surface area (p < 0.001) and volume (p < 0.001) compared to naïve mice. Furthermore, corneal cDCs showed greater sphericity in DED mice compared to naïve mice (p < 0.01). In addition, limbal cDCs displayed significantly increased migratory kinetics in DED, including mean track speed, 3D instantaneous velocity, track length, and displacement, compared to naïve mice (all p < 0.05). In mice with DED, cDCs showed a higher meandering index in the limbus compared to central cornea (p < 0.05). In DED, cDCs were less frequently found in contact with nerves in the limbus, peripheral, and central cornea (p < 0.05). cDCs in contact with nerves demonstrated a larger surface area (p < 0.001) and volume (p < 0.001), however, they exhibited less sphericity (p < 0.05) as compared to cDCs not in contact with nerves in naïve mice. Importantly, cDCs in contact with nerves during DED had a decreased track length, displacement, mean track speed, and 3D instantaneous velocity compared to those not in contact with nerves (all p < 0.05). Taken together, we present in vivo evidence of altered cDC kinetics and 3D morphology in DED. Furthermore, apparent neuronal contact significantly alters cDC kinetics and morphological characteristics, suggesting that ocular surface nerves may play a direct role in mediating immune responses in DED.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arsia Jamali
- Center for Translational Ocular Immunology, Tufts Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Ophthalmology, Tufts Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Yashar Seyed-Razavi
- Center for Translational Ocular Immunology, Tufts Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Ophthalmology, Tufts Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Cecilia Chao
- Center for Translational Ocular Immunology, Tufts Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Ophthalmology, Tufts Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Gustavo Ortiz
- Center for Translational Ocular Immunology, Tufts Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Ophthalmology, Tufts Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Brendan Kenyon
- Center for Translational Ocular Immunology, Tufts Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Ophthalmology, Tufts Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States.,Program in Neuroscience, School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Tomas Blanco
- Center for Translational Ocular Immunology, Tufts Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Ophthalmology, Tufts Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Deshea L Harris
- Center for Translational Ocular Immunology, Tufts Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Ophthalmology, Tufts Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Pedram Hamrah
- Center for Translational Ocular Immunology, Tufts Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Ophthalmology, Tufts Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States.,Program in Neuroscience, School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University, Boston, MA, United States.,Program in Immunology, School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University, Boston, MA, United States
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Guo ZH, Zhang W, Jia YYS, Liu QX, Li ZF, Lin JS. An Insight into the Difficulties in the Discovery of Specific Biomarkers of Limbal Stem Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19071982. [PMID: 29986467 PMCID: PMC6073450 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19071982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2018] [Revised: 06/25/2018] [Accepted: 06/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Keeping the integrity and transparency of the cornea is the most important issue to ensure normal vision. There are more than 10 million patients going blind due to the cornea diseases worldwide. One of the effective ways to cure corneal diseases is corneal transplantation. Currently, donations are the main source of corneas for transplantation, but immune rejection and a shortage of donor corneas are still serious problems. Graft rejection could cause transplanted cornea opacity to fail. Therefore, bioengineer-based corneas become a new source for corneal transplantation. Limbal stem cells (LSCs) are located at the basal layer in the epithelial palisades of Vogt, which serve a homeostatic function for the cornea epithelium and repair the damaged cornea. LSC-based transplantation is one of the hot topics currently. Clinical data showed that the ratio of LSCs to total candidate cells for a transplantation has a significant impact on the effectiveness of the transplantation. It indicates that it is very important to accurately identify the LSCs. To date, several putative biomarkers of LSCs have been widely reported, whereas their specificity is controversial. As reported, the identification of LSCs is based on the characteristics of stem cells, such as a nuclear-to-cytoplasm ratio (N/C) ≥ 0.7, label-retaining, and side population (SP) phenotype. Here, we review recently published data to provide an insight into the circumstances in the study of LSC biomarkers. The particularities of limbus anatomy and histochemistry, the limits of the current technology level for LSC isolation, the heterogeneity of LSCs and the influence of enzyme digestion are discussed. Practical approaches are proposed in order to overcome the difficulties in basic and applied research for LSC-specific biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Hou Guo
- School of Medicine, Huaqiao University, Quanzhou 362021, China.
| | - Wei Zhang
- School of Medicine, Huaqiao University, Quanzhou 362021, China.
| | | | - Qing Xiu Liu
- School of Medicine, Huaqiao University, Quanzhou 362021, China.
| | - Zhao Fa Li
- School of Medicine, Huaqiao University, Quanzhou 362021, China.
| | - Jun Sheng Lin
- School of Medicine, Huaqiao University, Quanzhou 362021, China.
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Baradaran-Rafii A, Asl NS, Ebrahimi M, Jabbehdari S, Bamdad S, Roshandel D, Eslani M, Momeni M. The role of amniotic membrane extract eye drop (AMEED) in in vivo cultivation of limbal stem cells. Ocul Surf 2018; 16:146-153. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jtos.2017.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2017] [Revised: 09/10/2017] [Accepted: 11/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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10
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Li Y, Yang Y, Yang L, Zeng Y, Gao X, Xu H. Poly(ethylene glycol)-modified silk fibroin membrane as a carrier for limbal epithelial stem cell transplantation in a rabbit LSCD model. Stem Cell Res Ther 2017; 8:256. [PMID: 29116027 PMCID: PMC5678789 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-017-0707-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2017] [Revised: 10/15/2017] [Accepted: 10/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Limbal epithelial stem cells (LESCs) play important roles in corneal epithelial homeostasis and regeneration, and damage to the limbus will lead to limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD), with conjunctivalization and even visual impairment. Cultured LESCs have been used for ocular surface reconstruction, and silk fibroin (SF) membranes have shown potential as a substrate for LESC cultivation. Both culture methods and the carriers of LESCs affect outcomes following LESC transplantation. Methods Rabbit LESCs were cultured from tissue explant, single cell-suspension, and cell cluster culture methods. Ratios of p63α and/or ABCB5-positive LESCs, differentiated corneal epithelial cells (CK12 staining), and corneal tight junction formation (Claudin-1 staining) were examined to choose the most applicable LESC cultures. SF membranes were prepared and modified by 400-Da poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). The characteristics of stem cells and normal corneal differentiation of LESCs cultured on PEG-modified SF membranes were further examined by immunofluorescence staining and flow cytometric analysis. LESCs cultured on PEG-modified SF membranes (LESC/SF grafts) and PEG-modified SF membranes (SF grafts) were transplanted onto rabbit corneas with total LSCD. New blood vessels, corneal epithelial defects, and cornea clarity were examined after transplantation. Furthermore, corneal epithelial thickness, stromal thickness, and the percentage area of CK12-positive corneal epithelium were quantified 4 months after transplantation. Results Tissue explant and single cell-suspension cultures harvested more p63α and/or ABCB5-positive LESCs, generated more CK12-positive corneal epithelial cells, and formed more corneal tight junctions than cell cluster cultures. Prepared PEG-modified SF membranes were transparent, flexible, and sturdy enough for surgical manipulation. LESCs cultured on PEG-modified SF membranes maintained characteristics of stem cells and normal corneal differentiation. LESC/SF grafts inhibited new blood vessels and rescued corneal epithelial defects in the rabbit total LSCD model. In addition, LESC/SF grafts repopulated the limbus and increased corneal epithelial thickness, stromal thickness, and the area percentage of CK12-positive corneal epithelium. Conclusions LESCs from tissue explant and single cell-suspension cultures were more applicable corneal epithelial cells for ocular surface reconstruction. LESC/SF grafts repaired corneal epithelial defects and reversed LSCD, and PEG-modified SF membranes were suitable to be a carrier for LESC transplantation. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13287-017-0707-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yijian Li
- Southwest Hospital/Southwest Eye Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Yuli Yang
- Southwest Hospital/Southwest Eye Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Lei Yang
- Laboratory for Modern Silk, College of Textile and Clothing Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Yuxiao Zeng
- Southwest Hospital/Southwest Eye Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Xiaowei Gao
- Department of Ophthalmology, 474 Hospital of the Chinese PLA, Xinjiang, Uyghur Autonomous Region, 830013, China
| | - Haiwei Xu
- Southwest Hospital/Southwest Eye Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China.
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11
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Gonzalez G, Sasamoto Y, Ksander BR, Frank MH, Frank NY. Limbal stem cells: identity, developmental origin, and therapeutic potential. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY 2017; 7. [PMID: 29105366 DOI: 10.1002/wdev.303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2017] [Revised: 08/22/2017] [Accepted: 09/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The cornea is our window to the world and our vision is critically dependent on corneal clarity and integrity. Its epithelium represents one of the most rapidly regenerating mammalian tissues, undergoing full-turnover over the course of approximately 1-2 weeks. This robust and efficient regenerative capacity is dependent on the function of stem cells residing in the limbus, a structure marking the border between the cornea and the conjunctiva. Limbal stem cells (LSC) represent a quiescent cell population with proliferative capacity residing in the basal epithelial layer of the limbus within a cellular niche. In addition to LSC, this niche consists of various cell populations such as limbal stromal fibroblasts, melanocytes and immune cells as well as a basement membrane, all of which are essential for LSC maintenance and LSC-driven regeneration. The LSC niche's components are of diverse developmental origin, a fact that had, until recently, prevented precise identification of molecularly defined LSC. The recent success in prospective LSC isolation based on ABCB5 expression and the capacity of this LSC population for long-term corneal restoration following transplantation in preclinical in vivo models of LSC deficiency underline the considerable potential of pure LSC formulations for clinical therapy. Additional studies, including genetic lineage tracing of the developmental origin of LSC will further improve our understanding of this critical cell population and its niche, with important implications for regenerative medicine. WIREs Dev Biol 2018, 7:e303. doi: 10.1002/wdev.303 This article is categorized under: Adult Stem Cells, Tissue Renewal, and Regeneration > Stem Cells and Disease Adult Stem Cells, Tissue Renewal, and Regeneration > Tissue Stem Cells and Niches Adult Stem Cells, Tissue Renewal, and Regeneration > Regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Gonzalez
- Department of Medicine, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA.,Division of Genetics, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yuzuru Sasamoto
- Department of Medicine, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Bruce R Ksander
- Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Markus H Frank
- Transplant Research Program, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.,School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Natasha Y Frank
- Department of Medicine, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA.,Division of Genetics, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Wound-Healing Studies in Cornea and Skin: Parallels, Differences and Opportunities. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:ijms18061257. [PMID: 28604651 PMCID: PMC5486079 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18061257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2017] [Revised: 05/24/2017] [Accepted: 05/31/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The cornea and the skin are both organs that provide the outer barrier of the body. Both tissues have developed intrinsic mechanisms that protect the organism from a wide range of external threats, but at the same time also enable rapid restoration of tissue integrity and organ-specific function. The easy accessibility makes the skin an attractive model system to study tissue damage and repair. Findings from skin research have contributed to unravelling novel fundamental principles in regenerative biology and the repair of other epithelial-mesenchymal tissues, such as the cornea. Following barrier disruption, the influx of inflammatory cells, myofibroblast differentiation, extracellular matrix synthesis and scar formation present parallel repair mechanisms in cornea and skin wound healing. Yet, capillary sprouting, while pivotal in proper skin wound healing, is a process that is rather associated with pathological repair of the cornea. Understanding the parallels and differences of the cellular and molecular networks that coordinate the wound healing response in skin and cornea are likely of mutual importance for both organs with regard to the development of regenerative therapies and understanding of the disease pathologies that affect epithelial-mesenchymal interactions. Here, we review the principal events in corneal wound healing and the mechanisms to restore corneal transparency and barrier function. We also refer to skin repair mechanisms and their potential implications for regenerative processes in the cornea.
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López-Paniagua M, Nieto-Miguel T, de la Mata A, Galindo S, Herreras JM, Corrales RM, Calonge M. Successful Consecutive Expansion of Limbal Explants Using a Biosafe Culture Medium under Feeder Layer-Free Conditions. Curr Eye Res 2016; 42:685-695. [PMID: 27911610 DOI: 10.1080/02713683.2016.1250278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Transplantation of in vitro cultured limbal epithelial stem cells (LESCs) is a treatment widely used for LESC deficiency. However, the number of limbal tissue donors is limited, and protocols for LESC cultivation often include compounds and/or feeder layers that can induce side effects and/or increase the cost of the culture procedure. We investigated the feasibility of obtaining more than one limbal primary culture (LPC) from the same biopsy using a culture medium in which several potentially harmful compounds were replaced at the same time by biosafe supplements, allowing the LESC cultivation without feeder layers. MATERIALS AND METHODS We established feeder layer-free LPCs with three culture media: (1) a modified supplemental hormonal epithelial medium, containing potential harmful components (cholera toxin, dimethylsulfoxide, and fetal bovine serum [FBS]), (2) IOBA-FBS, a medium with FBS but with no other harmful supplements, and (3) IOBA-HS, similar to IOBA-FBS but with human serum instead of FBS. Additionally, the same limbal explant was consecutively cultured with IOBA-HS producing three cultures. LPCs were characterized by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and/or immunofluorescence. RESULTS LPCs cultured with the three media under feeder layer-free conditions showed cuboidal cells and no significant differences in the percentage of positive cells for limbal (ABCG2, p63, and K14) and corneal (K3, K12) proteins. Except for ABCG2, the relative mRNA expression of the LESC markers was significantly higher when IOBA-FBS or IOBA-HS was used. LPC1 showed characteristics similar to LPC0, while LPC2 cell morphology became elongated and the expression of some LESC markers was diminished. CONCLUSION IOBA-HS enables the culturing of up to two biosafe homologous LPCs from one limbal tissue under feeder layer-free conditions. The routine use of this culture medium could improve both the biosafety and the number of available LPCs for potential clinical transplantation, as well as decrease the expense of the culture procedure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina López-Paniagua
- a IOBA (Institute of Applied Ophthalmobiology) , University of Valladolid , Valladolid , Spain.,b CIBER-BBN (Networking Research Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials, and Nanomedicine) , Valladolid , Spain
| | - Teresa Nieto-Miguel
- a IOBA (Institute of Applied Ophthalmobiology) , University of Valladolid , Valladolid , Spain.,b CIBER-BBN (Networking Research Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials, and Nanomedicine) , Valladolid , Spain
| | - Ana de la Mata
- a IOBA (Institute of Applied Ophthalmobiology) , University of Valladolid , Valladolid , Spain.,b CIBER-BBN (Networking Research Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials, and Nanomedicine) , Valladolid , Spain
| | - Sara Galindo
- a IOBA (Institute of Applied Ophthalmobiology) , University of Valladolid , Valladolid , Spain.,b CIBER-BBN (Networking Research Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials, and Nanomedicine) , Valladolid , Spain
| | - José M Herreras
- a IOBA (Institute of Applied Ophthalmobiology) , University of Valladolid , Valladolid , Spain.,b CIBER-BBN (Networking Research Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials, and Nanomedicine) , Valladolid , Spain
| | - Rosa M Corrales
- a IOBA (Institute of Applied Ophthalmobiology) , University of Valladolid , Valladolid , Spain.,b CIBER-BBN (Networking Research Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials, and Nanomedicine) , Valladolid , Spain
| | - Margarita Calonge
- a IOBA (Institute of Applied Ophthalmobiology) , University of Valladolid , Valladolid , Spain.,b CIBER-BBN (Networking Research Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials, and Nanomedicine) , Valladolid , Spain
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15
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Alzahrani Y, Pritchard N, Efron N. Changes in corneal Langerhans cell density during the first few hours of contact lens wear. Cont Lens Anterior Eye 2016; 39:307-10. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clae.2016.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2015] [Revised: 01/28/2016] [Accepted: 02/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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16
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Alzahrani Y, Colorado LH, Pritchard N, Efron N. Longitudinal changes in Langerhans cell density of the cornea and conjunctiva in contact lens-induced dry eye. Clin Exp Optom 2016; 100:33-40. [PMID: 27353750 DOI: 10.1111/cxo.12399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2015] [Revised: 12/21/2015] [Accepted: 12/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim was to determine longitudinal changes in Langerhans cell density (LCD) in the human cornea and conjunctiva during asymptomatic and symptomatic contact lens wear. METHODS Twenty-five participants with contact lens-induced dry eye (CLIDE) and 35 without CLIDE (NO-CLIDE), diagnosed using a range of symptom questionnaires and objective tests (tear film break up, cotton thread tear test and corneal staining) were enrolled. The central cornea and nasal bulbar conjunctiva were examined using a Heidelberg laser scanning confocal microscope at baseline and following one, four and 24 weeks wear of daily disposable hydrogel contact lenses. Twenty-three non-contact lens-wearing controls were also examined. Langerhans cells were counted manually from randomly selected images. RESULTS In the cornea, mean and standard error of the mean LCD was greater after one week of lens wear in CLIDE (55 ± 7 cells/mm2 ) versus NO-CLIDE (43 ± 4 cells/mm2 ) (p = 0.041) and controls (27 ± 4 cells/mm2 ) (p < 0.001). LCD was also greater in NO-CLIDE versus controls (p = 0.010). At week 4, LCD was greater in CLIDE (41 ± 6 cells/mm2 ) versus controls (27 ± 4 cells/mm2 ) (p = 0.004). There were no other significant differences between groups at weeks four or 24. In the conjunctiva, LCD was greater after one week of lens wear in CLIDE (17 ± 1 cells/mm2 ) (p = 0.003) and NO-CLIDE (17 ± 3 cells/mm2 ) (p = 0.001) versus controls (7 ± 1 cells/mm2 ). There were no significant differences between groups at weeks four or 24. CONCLUSIONS The initial transient increase in corneal and conjunctival LCD in CLIDE (versus NO-CLIDE) suggests an inflammatory component in the aetiology of this condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yahya Alzahrani
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, and School of Optometry and Vision Science, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Queensland, Australia
| | - Luisa H Colorado
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, and School of Optometry and Vision Science, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Queensland, Australia
| | - Nicola Pritchard
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, and School of Optometry and Vision Science, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Queensland, Australia
| | - Nathan Efron
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, and School of Optometry and Vision Science, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Queensland, Australia
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Douvaras P, Dorà NJ, Mort RL, Lodge EJ, Hill RE, West JD. Abnormal corneal epithelial maintenance in mice heterozygous for the micropinna microphthalmia mutation Mp. Exp Eye Res 2016; 149:26-39. [PMID: 27235794 PMCID: PMC4974241 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2016.05.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2016] [Revised: 04/26/2016] [Accepted: 05/23/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
We investigated the corneal morphology of adult Mp/+ mice, which are heterozygous for the micropinna microphthalmia mutation, and identified several abnormalities, which implied that corneal epithelial maintenance was abnormal. The Mp/+ corneal epithelium was thin, loosely packed and contained goblet cells in older mice. Evidence also suggested that the barrier function was compromised. However, there was no major effect on corneal epithelial cell turnover and mosaic patterns of radial stripes indicated that radial cell movement was normal. Limbal blood vessels formed an abnormally wide limbal vasculature ring, K19-positive cells were distributed more widely than normal and K12 was weakly expressed in the peripheral cornea. This raises the possibilities that the limbal-corneal boundary was poorly defined or the limbus was wider than normal. BrdU label-retaining cell numbers and quantitative clonal analysis suggested that limbal epithelial stem cell numbers were not depleted and might be higher than normal. However, as corneal epithelial homeostasis was abnormal, it is possible that Mp/+ stem cell function was impaired. It has been shown recently that the Mp mutation involves a chromosome 18 inversion that disrupts the Fbn2 and Isoc1 genes and produces an abnormal, truncated fibrillin-2MP protein. This abnormal protein accumulates in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of cells that normally express Fbn2 and causes ER stress. It was also shown that Fbn2 is expressed in the corneal stroma but not the corneal epithelium, suggesting that the presence of truncated fibrillin-2MP protein in the corneal stroma disrupts corneal epithelial homeostasis in Mp/+ mice. Heterozygous mutant Mp/+ mice have small, abnormal eyes. The corneal epithelium is thin, loosely packed and has goblet cells. Corneal epithelial cell turnover and radial cell movement appear normal. The cornea-limbal border is poorly defined and the limbus appears wider than normal. Indirect tests suggest stem cells are not depleted and numbers might be increased.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panagiotis Douvaras
- Genes and Development Group, Centre for Integrative Physiology, Clinical Sciences, University of Edinburgh Medical School, Hugh Robson Building, George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK
| | - Natalie J Dorà
- Genes and Development Group, Centre for Integrative Physiology, Biomedical Sciences, University of Edinburgh Medical School, Hugh Robson Building, George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK
| | - Richard L Mort
- Genes and Development Group, Centre for Integrative Physiology, Clinical Sciences, University of Edinburgh Medical School, Hugh Robson Building, George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK
| | - Emily J Lodge
- Genes and Development Group, Centre for Integrative Physiology, Clinical Sciences, University of Edinburgh Medical School, Hugh Robson Building, George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK
| | - Robert E Hill
- Medical and Developmental Genetics Section, MRC Human Genetics Unit, MRC IGMM, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK
| | - John D West
- Genes and Development Group, Centre for Integrative Physiology, Clinical Sciences, University of Edinburgh Medical School, Hugh Robson Building, George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK.
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López-Paniagua M, Nieto-Miguel T, de la Mata A, Dziasko M, Galindo S, Rey E, Herreras JM, Corrales RM, Daniels JT, Calonge M. Comparison of functional limbal epithelial stem cell isolation methods. Exp Eye Res 2016; 146:83-94. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2015.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2015] [Revised: 11/05/2015] [Accepted: 12/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Stettner M, Hinrichs L, Guthoff R, Bairov S, Petropoulos IN, Warnke C, Hartung HP, Malik RA, Kieseier BC. Corneal confocal microscopy in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy. Ann Clin Transl Neurol 2015; 3:88-100. [PMID: 26900579 PMCID: PMC4748316 DOI: 10.1002/acn3.275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2015] [Revised: 11/07/2015] [Accepted: 11/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective There is an unmet need for better diagnostic tools to further delineate clinical subsets of heterogeneous chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) and multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) to facilitate treatment decisions. Corneal confocal microscopy (CCM) is a noninvasive and reproducible nerve imaging technique. This study evaluates the potential of CCM as a diagnostic surrogate in CIDP and MMN. Methods In a cross‐sectional prospective approach, 182 patients and healthy controls were studied using CCM to quantify corneal nerve damage and immune cell infiltration. Results Patients with CIDP and MMN had a reduction in corneal nerve fiber (CNF) measures and an increase in corneal immune cell infiltrates. In CIDP, CNF parameters decreased with increasing duration of disease. The number of dendritic cells in proximity to CNFs was increased in patients with early disease and correlated with the degree of motor affection. A further reduction in CNF parameters and an increase in nondendritic cells were observed in patients with painful neuropathy. In CIDP patients with antineuronal antibodies the number of nondendritic cells was increased. Interpretation Our findings suggest that CNF loss may reflect severity of neuropathy and quantification of distinct cells around the CNF plexus may help in stratifying CIDP subtypes, clinical course, and disease activity. However, further longitudinal studies are required before CCM can be considered as a valid surrogate endpoint for patients with CIDP and MMN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Stettner
- Department of Neurology Medical Faculty Research Group for Clinical and Experimental Neuroimmunology Heinrich-Heine University Dusseldorf Germany
| | - Lena Hinrichs
- Department of Neurology Medical Faculty Research Group for Clinical and Experimental Neuroimmunology Heinrich-Heine University Dusseldorf Germany
| | - Rainer Guthoff
- Department of Ophthalmology Medical Faculty Heinrich-Heine University Dusseldorf Germany
| | - Silja Bairov
- Department of Ophthalmology Medical Faculty Heinrich-Heine University Dusseldorf Germany
| | - Ioannis N Petropoulos
- Centre for Endocrinology and Diabetes Institute of Human Development Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences CMFT and University of Manchester United Kingdom; Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar Education City Doha Qatar
| | - Clemens Warnke
- Department of Neurology Medical Faculty Research Group for Clinical and Experimental Neuroimmunology Heinrich-Heine University Dusseldorf Germany
| | - Hans-Peter Hartung
- Department of Neurology Medical Faculty Research Group for Clinical and Experimental Neuroimmunology Heinrich-Heine University Dusseldorf Germany
| | - Rayaz A Malik
- Centre for Endocrinology and Diabetes Institute of Human Development Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences CMFT and University of Manchester United Kingdom; Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar Education City Doha Qatar
| | - Bernd C Kieseier
- Department of Neurology Medical Faculty Research Group for Clinical and Experimental Neuroimmunology Heinrich-Heine University Dusseldorf Germany
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West JD, Dorà NJ, Collinson JM. Evaluating alternative stem cell hypotheses for adult corneal epithelial maintenance. World J Stem Cells 2015; 7:281-99. [PMID: 25815115 PMCID: PMC4369487 DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.v7.i2.281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2014] [Revised: 09/26/2014] [Accepted: 10/14/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In this review we evaluate evidence for three different hypotheses that explain how the corneal epithelium is maintained. The limbal epithelial stem cell (LESC) hypothesis is most widely accepted. This proposes that stem cells in the basal layer of the limbal epithelium, at the periphery of the cornea, maintain themselves and also produce transient (or transit) amplifying cells (TACs). TACs then move centripetally to the centre of the cornea in the basal layer of the corneal epithelium and also replenish cells in the overlying suprabasal layers. The LESCs maintain the corneal epithelium during normal homeostasis and become more active to repair significant wounds. Second, the corneal epithelial stem cell (CESC) hypothesis postulates that, during normal homeostasis, stem cells distributed throughout the basal corneal epithelium, maintain the tissue. According to this hypothesis, LESCs are present in the limbus but are only active during wound healing. We also consider a third possibility, that the corneal epithelium is maintained during normal homeostasis by proliferation of basal corneal epithelial cells without any input from stem cells. After reviewing the published evidence, we conclude that the LESC and CESC hypotheses are consistent with more of the evidence than the third hypothesis, so we do not consider this further. The LESC and CESC hypotheses each have difficulty accounting for one main type of evidence so we evaluate the two key lines of evidence that discriminate between them. Finally, we discuss how lineage-tracing experiments have begun to resolve the debate in favour of the LESC hypothesis. Nevertheless, it also seems likely that some basal corneal epithelial cells can act as long-term progenitors if limbal stem cell function is compromised. Thus, this aspect of the CESC hypothesis may have a lasting impact on our understanding of corneal epithelial maintenance, even if it is eventually shown that stem cells are restricted to the limbus as proposed by the LESC hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- John D West
- John D West, Natalie J Dorà, Genes and Development Group, Centre for Integrative Physiology, College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh, EH8 9XD Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Natalie J Dorà
- John D West, Natalie J Dorà, Genes and Development Group, Centre for Integrative Physiology, College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh, EH8 9XD Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - J Martin Collinson
- John D West, Natalie J Dorà, Genes and Development Group, Centre for Integrative Physiology, College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh, EH8 9XD Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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Soma T, Hayashi R, Sugiyama H, Tsujikawa M, Kanayama S, Oie Y, Nishida K. Maintenance and distribution of epithelial stem/progenitor cells after corneal reconstruction using oral mucosal epithelial cell sheets. PLoS One 2014; 9:e110987. [PMID: 25343456 PMCID: PMC4208804 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0110987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2014] [Accepted: 09/18/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
We assessed the maintenance and distribution of epithelial stem/progenitor cells after corneal reconstruction using tissue-engineered oral mucosal cell sheets in a rat model. Oral mucosal biopsy specimens were excised from green fluorescent protein (GFP) rats and enzymatically treated with Dispase II. These cells were cultured on inserts with mitomycin C-treated NIH/3T3 cells, and the resulting cell sheets were harvested. These tissue-engineered cell sheets from GFP rats were transplanted onto the eyes of a nude rat limbal stem cell deficiency model. Eight weeks after surgery, ocular surfaces were completely covered by the epithelium with GFP-positive cells. Transplanted corneas expressed p63 in the basal layers and K14 in all epithelial layers. Epithelial cells harvested from the central and peripheral areas of reconstructed corneas were isolated for a colony-forming assay, which showed that the colony-forming efficiency of the peripheral epithelial cells was significantly higher than that of the central epithelial cells 8 weeks after corneal reconstruction. Thus, in this rat model, the peripheral cornea could maintain more stem/progenitor cells than the central cornea after corneal reconstruction using oral mucosal epithelial cell sheets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeshi Soma
- Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Ryuhei Hayashi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Sugiyama
- Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Motokazu Tsujikawa
- Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Shintaro Kanayama
- Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Yoshinori Oie
- Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Kohji Nishida
- Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
- * E-mail:
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22
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Jin JO, Zhang W, Wong KW, Kwak M, van Driel IR, Yu Q. Inhibition of breast cancer resistance protein (ABCG2) in human myeloid dendritic cells induces potent tolerogenic functions during LPS stimulation. PLoS One 2014; 9:e104753. [PMID: 25111504 PMCID: PMC4128747 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0104753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2014] [Accepted: 07/15/2014] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer resistance protein (ABCG2), a member of the ATP-binding cassette transporters has been identified as a major determinant of multidrug resistance (MDR) in cancer cells, but ABC transporter inhibition has limited therapeutic value in vivo. In this research, we demonstrated that inhibition of efflux transporters ABCG2 induced the generation of tolerogenic DCs from human peripheral blood myeloid DCs (mDCs). ABCG2 expression was present in mDCs and was further increased by LPS stimulation. Treatment of CD1c+ mDCs with an ABCG2 inhibitor, Ko143, during LPS stimulation caused increased production of IL-10 and decreased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and decreased expression of CD83 and CD86. Moreover, inhibition of ABCG2 in monocyte-derived DCs (MDDCs) abrogated the up-regulation of co-stimulatory molecules and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in these cells in response to LPS. Furthermore, CD1c+ mDCs stimulated with LPS plus Ko143 inhibited the proliferation of allogeneic and superantigen-specific syngenic CD4+ T cells and promoted expansion of CD25+FOXP3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells in an IL-10-dependent fashion. These tolerogenic effects of ABCG2 inhibition could be abolished by ERK inhibition. Thus, we demonstrated that inhibition of ABCG2 in LPS-stimulated mDCs can potently induce tolerogenic potentials in these cells, providing crucial new information that could lead to development of better strategies to combat MDR cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun-O Jin
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- * E-mail:
| | - Wei Zhang
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ka-Wing Wong
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Minseok Kwak
- Department of Chemistry, Pukyong National University, Busan, South Korea
| | - Ian R. van Driel
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Qing Yu
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, The Forsyth Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
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Haddad A, Faria-e-Sousa SJ. Maintenance of the corneal epithelium is carried out by germinative cells of its basal stratum and not by presumed stem cells of the limbus. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 47:470-7. [PMID: 24820068 PMCID: PMC4086173 DOI: 10.1590/1414-431x20143519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2013] [Accepted: 01/28/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this investigation was to analyze the proliferative behavior of rabbit
corneal epithelium and establish if any particular region was preferentially involved
in epithelial maintenance. [3H]-thymidine was injected intravitreally into
both normal eyes and eyes with partially scraped corneal epithelium. Semithin
sections of the anterior segment were evaluated by quantitative autoradiography.
Segments with active replication (on) and those with no cell division (off) were
intermingled in all regions of the tissue, suggesting that the renewal of the
epithelial surface of the cornea followed an on/off alternating pattern. In the
limbus, heavy labeling of the outermost layers was observed, coupled with a few or no
labeled nuclei in the basal stratum. This suggests that this region is a site of
rapid cell differentiation and does not contain many slow-cycling cells. The
conspicuous and protracted labeling of the basal layer of the corneal epithelium
suggests that its cells undergo repeated cycles of replication before being sent to
the suprabasal strata. This replication model is prone to generate label-retaining
cells. Thus, if these are adult stem cells, one must conclude that they reside in the
corneal basal layer and not the limbal basal layer. One may also infer that the basal
cells of the cornea and not of the limbus are the ones with the main burden of
renewing the corneal epithelium. No particular role in this process could be assigned
to the cells of the basal layer of the limbal epithelium.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Haddad
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil
| | - S J Faria-e-Sousa
- Departamento de Oftalmologia, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil
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Epidermal stem cells and their epigenetic regulation. Int J Mol Sci 2013; 14:17861-80. [PMID: 23999591 PMCID: PMC3794757 DOI: 10.3390/ijms140917861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2013] [Revised: 08/06/2013] [Accepted: 08/15/2013] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Stem cells play an essential role in embryonic development, cell differentiation and tissue regeneration. Tissue homeostasis in adults is maintained by adult stem cells resident in the niches of different tissues. As one kind of adult stem cell, epidermal stem cells have the potential to generate diversified types of progeny cells in the skin. Although its biology is still largely unclarified, epidermal stem cells are widely used in stem cell research and regenerative medicine given its easy accessibility and pluripotency. Despite the same genome, cells within an organism have different fates due to the epigenetic regulation of gene expression. In this review, we will briefly discuss the current understanding of epigenetic modulation in epidermal stem cells.
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25
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Crane AM, Bhattacharya SK. The use of bromodeoxyuridine incorporation assays to assess corneal stem cell proliferation. Methods Mol Biol 2013; 1014:65-70. [PMID: 23690005 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-62703-432-6_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation assays have long been used to detect DNA synthesis in vivo and in vitro. The key principle of this method is that BrdU incorporated as a thymidine analog into nuclear DNA represents a label that can be tracked using antibody probes. In this chapter, we describe BrdU incorporation into limbal stem cells. The colorimetric reaction produced by this assay can be detected by immunohistochemistry, and using appropriate controls, it can be used for determination of proliferating properties of restricted progenitor cells derived from the cornea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley M Crane
- Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
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Nam E, Takahashi A, Fujita N, Tsuzuki K, Nishimura R. Cultivation of corneal epithelial cell sheets on canine amniotic membrane. Vet Ophthalmol 2012; 16:263-8. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1463-5224.2012.01070.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Localization and expression of zonula occludins-1 in the rabbit corneal epithelium following exposure to benzalkonium chloride. PLoS One 2012; 7:e40893. [PMID: 22815857 PMCID: PMC3399810 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0040893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2012] [Accepted: 06/18/2012] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Preservatives are a major component of the ophthalmic preparations in multi-dose bottles. The purpose of this study was to investigate the acute effect of benzalkonium chloride (BAC), a common preservative used in ophthalmic preparations, on the localization and expression of zonula occludens (ZO)-1 in the rabbit corneal epithelium in vivo. BAC at 0.005%, 0.01%, or 0.02% was topically applied to one eye each of albino rabbits at 5 min intervals for a total of 3 times. The contralateral untreated eyes served as controls. The following clinical indications were evaluated: Schirmer test, tear break-up time (BUT), fluorescein and rose Bengal staining. The structure of central cornea was examined by in vivo confocal microscopy, and the corneal barrier function was evaluated by measurement of corneal transepithelial electrical resistance and permeability to carboxy fluorescein. Whole mount corneas were analyzed by using fluorescence confocal microscopy for the presence of ZO-1, 2, occludin, claudin-1, Ki67 and cell apoptosis in the epithelium. The expression of ZO-1 in the corneal epithelium was also examined by western blot and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analyses. Exposure to BAC resulted in higher rose Bengal staining scores while no significant changes in BUT, Schirmer and corneal florescein scores. It also induced corneal epithelial cell damage, dispersion of ZO-1 and ZO-2 from their normal locus at the superficial layer and disruption of epithelial barrier function. However, the amounts of ZO-1 mRNA and protein in the corneal epithelium were not affected by BAC treatment. Exposure to BAC can quickly impair the corneal epithelium without tear deficiency. BAC disrupts the tight junctions of corneal epithelium between superficial cells in the rabbit corneal epithelium in vivo.
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Chen W, Li Z, Hu J, Zhang Z, Chen L, Chen Y, Liu Z. Corneal alternations induced by topical application of benzalkonium chloride in rabbit. PLoS One 2011; 6:e26103. [PMID: 22022526 PMCID: PMC3192149 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0026103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2011] [Accepted: 09/19/2011] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Benzalkonium chloride (BAC) is the most common preservative in ophthalmic preparations. Here, we investigated the corneal alternations in rabbits following exposure to BAC. Twenty-four adult male New Zealand albino rabbits were randomly divided into three groups. BAC at 0.01%, 0.05%, or 0.1% was applied twice daily to one eye each of rabbits for 4 days. The contralateral untreated eyes were used as control. Aqueous tear production and fluorescein staining scores of BAC-treated eyes were compared with those of controls. The structure of the central cornea was examined by in vivo confocal microscopy. Expression of mucin-5 subtype AC (MUC5AC) in conjunctiva was detected by immunostainig on cryosections. Corneal barrier function was assessed in terms of permeability to carboxy fluorescein (CF). The distribution and expression of ZO-1, a known marker of tight junction, and reorganization of the perijunctional actomyosin ring (PAMR) were examined by immunofluorescence analysis. Although there were no significant differences between control and BAC-treated eyes in Schirmer scores, corneal fluorescein scores and the number of conjunctival MUC5AC staining cells, in vivo confocal microscopy revealed significant epithelial and stromal defects in all BAC-treated corneas. Moreover, BAC at 0.1% resulted in significant increases in central corneal thickness and endothelial CF permeability, compared with those in control eyes, and endothelial cell damage with dislocation of ZO-1 and disruption of PAMR. Topical application of BAC can quickly impair the whole cornea without occurrence of dry eye. A high concentration of BAC breaks down the barrier integrity of corneal endothelium, concomitant with the disruption of PAMR and remodeling of apical junctional complex in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wensheng Chen
- Eye Institute and affiliated Xiamen Eye Center of Xiamen University, Fujian, China
- * E-mail: (Z.Liu); (WC)
| | - Zhiyuan Li
- Eye Institute and affiliated Xiamen Eye Center of Xiamen University, Fujian, China
| | - Jiaoyue Hu
- Eye Institute and affiliated Xiamen Eye Center of Xiamen University, Fujian, China
| | - Zhenhao Zhang
- Eye Institute and affiliated Xiamen Eye Center of Xiamen University, Fujian, China
| | - Lelei Chen
- Eye Institute and affiliated Xiamen Eye Center of Xiamen University, Fujian, China
| | - Yongxiong Chen
- Eye Institute and affiliated Xiamen Eye Center of Xiamen University, Fujian, China
| | - Zuguo Liu
- Eye Institute and affiliated Xiamen Eye Center of Xiamen University, Fujian, China
- * E-mail: (Z.Liu); (WC)
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29
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Ven R, Lindenberg JJ, Reurs AW, Scheper RJ, Scheffer GL, Gruijl TD. Preferential Langerhans cell differentiation from CD34
+
precursors upon introduction of ABCG2 (BCRP). Immunol Cell Biol 2011; 90:206-15. [DOI: 10.1038/icb.2011.25] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Rieneke Ven
- Department of Pathology, VU University Medical Center Amsterdam The Netherlands
- Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center Amsterdam The Netherlands
| | - Jelle J Lindenberg
- Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center Amsterdam The Netherlands
| | - Anneke W Reurs
- Department of Pathology, VU University Medical Center Amsterdam The Netherlands
| | - Rik J Scheper
- Department of Pathology, VU University Medical Center Amsterdam The Netherlands
| | - George L Scheffer
- Department of Pathology, VU University Medical Center Amsterdam The Netherlands
| | - Tanja D Gruijl
- Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center Amsterdam The Netherlands
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30
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Zhou SY, Zhang C, Baradaran E, Chuck RS. Human Corneal Basal Epithelial Cells Express an Embryonic Stem Cell Marker OCT4. Curr Eye Res 2010; 35:978-85. [DOI: 10.3109/02713683.2010.516465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Shi-you Zhou
- Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, The State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Cheng Zhang
- Wilmer Ophthalmological Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University and Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Ebrahimi Baradaran
- Wilmer Ophthalmological Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Roy S. Chuck
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University and Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA
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Kulkarni BB, Tighe PJ, Mohammed I, Yeung AM, Powe DG, Hopkinson A, Shanmuganathan VA, Dua HS. Comparative transcriptional profiling of the limbal epithelial crypt demonstrates its putative stem cell niche characteristics. BMC Genomics 2010; 11:526. [PMID: 20920242 PMCID: PMC2997017 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-11-526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2010] [Accepted: 09/29/2010] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The Limbal epithelial crypt (LEC) is a solid cord of cells, approximately 120 microns long. It arises from the undersurface of interpalisade rete ridges of the limbal palisades of Vogt and extends deeper into the limbal stroma parallel or perpendicular to the palisade. There are up to 6 or 7 such LEC, variably distributed along the limbus in each human eye. Morphological and immunohistochemical studies on the limbal epithelial crypt (LEC) have demonstrated the presence of limbal stem cells in this region. The purpose of this microarray study was to characterise the transcriptional profile of the LEC and compare with other ocular surface epithelial regions to support our hypothesis that LEC preferentially harbours stem cells (SC). Results LEC was found to be enriched for SC related Gene Ontology (GO) terms including those identified in quiescent adult SC, however similar to cornea, limbus had significant GO terms related to proliferating SC, transient amplifying cells (TAC) and differentiated cells (DC). LEC and limbus were metabolically dormant with low protein synthesis and downregulated cell cycling. Cornea had upregulated genes for cell cycling and self renewal such as FZD7, BTG1, CCNG, and STAT3 which were identified from other SC populations. Upregulated gene expression for growth factors, cytokines, WNT, Notch, TGF-Beta pathways involved in cell proliferation and differentiation were noted in cornea. LEC had highest number of expressed sequence tags (ESTs), downregulated and unknown genes, compared to other regions. Genes expressed in LEC such as CDH1, SERPINF1, LEF1, FRZB1, KRT19, SOD2, EGR1 are known to be involved in SC maintenance. Genes of interest, in LEC belonging to the category of cell adhesion molecules, WNT and Notch signalling pathway were validated with real-time PCR and immunofluorescence. Conclusions Our transcriptional profiling study identifies the LEC as a preferential site for limbal SC with some characteristics suggesting that it could function as a 'SC niche' supporting quiescent SC. It also strengthens the evidence for the presence of "transient cells" in the corneal epithelium. These cells are immediate progeny of SC with self-renewal capacity and could be responsible for maintaining epithelial turn over in normal healthy conditions of the ocular surface (OS). The limbus has mixed population of differentiated and undifferentiated cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bina B Kulkarni
- Division of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Eye & ENT Building Queen's Medical Centre, Derby Road, Nottingham, UK
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de Faria-e-Sousa SJ, Barbosa FL, Haddad A. Autoradiographic study on the regenerative capability of the epithelium lining the center of the cornea after multiple debridements of its peripheral region. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2010; 248:1137-44. [PMID: 20358217 DOI: 10.1007/s00417-010-1368-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2010] [Revised: 03/09/2010] [Accepted: 03/11/2010] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The epithelium lining the center of the cornea is assumed to lack stem cells.The purpose is to investigate by autoradiography the regenerative capability of the epithelium lining the central region of the rabbit cornea following seven scrapings of its peripheral lining, during several months. METHODS After marking the center of the cornea with a 6 mm-diameter trephine, the epithelium outside this area was scraped until reaching the corneoscleral zone. This procedure was repeated seven times on the same eye at intervals of 20 days. One day after the last scraping, (3)H-thymidine was injected intravitreally and the corneas processed for autoradiography. RESULTS At 2 days after injection, the corneal surface was entirely lined by an epithelium made up by two layers of squamous cells, most of them being labeled with the DNA precursor. A multilayered epithelium was visualized at the center with most of its basal cells also labeled. The limbal epithelium had at least two of its layers labeled with the precursor. At 9 days, the multilayered central unscraped epithelium exhibited labeled cells not only in the basal but also in its suprabasal layers. The labeling index (labeled nuclei/100 cells) for its basal stratum was very close to 100%. A similar feature was observed at 16 days, except that the mutilayered central epithelium was seen lining a larger area when compared to the precedent interval and that it exhibited evidences for vertical renewal. CONCLUSIONS The epithelium lining the central region of the cornea--where it was assumed that stem cells do not exist--exhibited capability for regeneration and self-renewal in spite of seven consecutive debridements of its periphery. No evidence was found for transposition of limbal epithelial cells to the center of the cornea during the early merger of the epithelial sliding fronts.
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Cauterization of central cornea induces recruitment of major histocompatibility complex class II+ Langerhans cells from limbal basal epithelium. Cornea 2010; 29:73-9. [PMID: 19907296 DOI: 10.1097/ico.0b013e3181ac9f92] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to investigate the distribution and characterization of Langerhans cells (LCs) in the rat corneal epithelium and to compare the findings with those obtained earlier in the mouse corneal epithelium. METHODS Normal and cauterized corneal tissues were excised from Wistar rats, and immunofluorescence staining for major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II, CD3, CD11c, CD11b, CD45, CD80(B-1), and CD86(B-2) was performed by confocal microscopy. The density of intraepithelial MHC class II+ LCs was quantified. RESULTS In the normal corneal epithelium, CD11c+ cells were exclusively distributed in the limbal and peripheral areas. Double staining showed that these cells were CD45 and MHC class II positive and B7 (CD80 or CD86) costimulatory molecules, CD11b, and CD3 negative, exhibiting a dendritic cell phenotype. In cauterized cornea, the expression of MHC class II was significantly enhanced in the limbal basal epithelium. The expression of the activation markers, CD80 and CD86, by MHC class II+ LCs was first present in the limbal basal epithelium as early as 4 hours after corneal inflammation and later throughout the entire corneal epithelium. CONCLUSIONS The present study demonstrates for the first time the distribution and characterization of LCs in the rat corneal epithelium, which largely resembles most of those observed in the mouse cornea. In the cauterized cornea, B7+ LCs were first present in the limbal basal epithelium, suggesting that these cells play an important role in corneal inflammatory reaction.
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Barbosa FL, Góes RM, de Faria-E-Sousa SJ, Haddad A. Regeneration of the corneal epithelium after debridement of its central region: an autoradiographic study on rabbits. Curr Eye Res 2009; 34:636-45. [PMID: 19899990 DOI: 10.1080/02713680903007121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the proliferative behavior of the corneal and limbal epithelia after debridement on the central region of the rabbit cornea. METHODS After scraping a circular epithelial area, 5 mm in diameter, in the center of the cornea, ([3]) H-thymidine ( ([3]) H-TdR) was injected intravitreally, and the rabbits killed from 1 to 49 days afterward. The cornea, together with the adjacent conjunctiva, was processed for autoradiography. RESULTS The regenerating epithelium at the center of the cornea exhibited high frequencies of labeled nuclei when compared to controls. The mitotic indexes for the limbus were comparable in experimental and control eyes. The unique basal stratum of the limbal epithelium exhibited quick proliferation and vertical migration in all eyes. Cells that remained labeled for four weeks or more were observed throughout the corneal epithelium, including its basal stratum, and this did not depend on epithelial damage. CONCLUSION Corneal epithelium wounds are healed by sliding and proliferation of cells surrounding the epithelial gap without any evidence for the participation of the limbal epithelium. Daughter cells labeled with ([3]) H-TdR were visualized in all layers of the corneal epithelium up to 7 weeks after the DNA precursor injection. However, at this long interval, the only labeled cells in the limbus were in the suprabasal layers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flávia Leão Barbosa
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
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van de Ven R, Oerlemans R, van der Heijden JW, Scheffer GL, de Gruijl TD, Jansen G, Scheper RJ. ABC drug transporters and immunity: novel therapeutic targets in autoimmunity and cancer. J Leukoc Biol 2009; 86:1075-87. [PMID: 19745159 DOI: 10.1189/jlb.0309147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
ABC transporters were identified originally for their contribution to clinical MDR as a result of their capacity to extrude various unrelated cytotoxic drugs. More recent reports have shown that ABC transporters can play important roles in the development, differentiation, and maturation of immune cells and are involved in migration of immune effector cells to sites of inflammation. Many of the currently identified, endogenous ABC transporter substrates have immunostimulating effects. Increasing the expression of ABC transporters on immune cells and thereby enhancing immune cell development or functionality may be beneficial to immunotherapy in the field of oncology. On the contrary, in the treatment of autoimmune diseases, blockade of these transporters may prove beneficial, as it could dampen disease activity by compromising immune effector cell functions. This review will focus on the expression, regulation, and substrate specificity of ABC transporters in relation to functional activities of immune effector cells and discusses implications for the treatment of cancer on the one hand and autoimmune diseases on the other.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rieneke van de Ven
- Department of Pathology, VU University Medical Center/Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Zuid Holland 1081 HV The Netherlands
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36
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The ABC of dendritic cell development and function. Trends Immunol 2009; 30:421-9. [PMID: 19699682 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2009.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2009] [Revised: 06/24/2009] [Accepted: 06/25/2009] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters are known for their involvement in clinical multidrug resistance (MDR) and their physiological defensive functions in barrier organs. More recently, attention has been focused on their possible involvement in the regulation of immune responses following the identification of their substrates as known immunomodulating agents (e.g. prostaglandins, leukotrienes and cyclic nucleotides) and their functional expression in various immune effector cells, most notably in dendritic cells (DCs). This review addresses the possible roles of ABC transporters in DC development and function, as well as the putative immunostimulatory potential of their cytostatic substrates and how this knowledge might benefit DC-based chemo-immunotherapies.
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Szameit S, Vierlinger K, Farmer L, Tuschl H, Noehammer C. Gene expression studies in cultured dendritic cells: new indicators for the discrimination of skin sensitizers and irritantsin vitro. Clin Exp Allergy 2009; 39:856-68. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2222.2009.03222.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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38
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Takács L, Tóth E, Berta A, Vereb G. Stem cells of the adult cornea: from cytometric markers to therapeutic applications. Cytometry A 2009; 75:54-66. [PMID: 19051301 DOI: 10.1002/cyto.a.20671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The cornea is a major protective shield of the interior of the eye and represents two thirds of its refractive power. It is made up of three tissue layers that have different developmental origins: the outer, epithelial layer develops from the ectoderm overlying the lens vesicle, whereas the stroma and the endothelium have mesenchymal origin. In the adult organism, the outermost corneal epithelium is the most exposed to environmental damage, and its constant renewal is assured by the epithelial stem cells that reside in the limbus, the circular border of the cornea. Cell turnover in the stromal layer is very slow and the endothelial cells probably do not reproduce in the adult organism. However, recent experimental evidence indicates that stem cells may be found in these layers. Damage to any of the corneal layers leads to loss of transparency and low vision. Corneal limbal stem cell deficiency results in severe ocular surface disease and its treatment by transplantating ex vivo expanded limbal epithelial cells is becoming widely accepted today. Stromal and endothelial stem cells are potential tools of tissue engineering and regenerative therapies of corneal ulcers and endothelial cell loss. In the past few years, intensive research has focused on corneal stem cells aiming to improve the outcomes of the current corneal stem cell transplantation techniques. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge on corneal epithelial, stromal and endothelial stem cells. Special emphasis is placed on the molecular markers that may help to identify these cells, and the recently revealed mechanisms that could maintain their "stemness" or drive their differentiation. The techniques for isolating and culturing/expanding these cells are also described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lili Takács
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical and Health Science Center, University of Debrecen, Hungary
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Chinnery HR, Humphries T, Clare A, Dixon AE, Howes K, Moran CB, Scott D, Zakrzewski M, Pearlman E, McMenamin PG. Turnover of bone marrow-derived cells in the irradiated mouse cornea. Immunology 2008; 125:541-8. [PMID: 18540963 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2567.2008.02868.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
In light of an increasing awareness of the presence of bone marrow (BM)-derived macrophages in the normal cornea and their uncertain role in corneal diseases, it is important that the turnover rate of these resident immune cells be established. The baseline density and distribution of macrophages in the corneal stroma was investigated in Cx3cr1(gfp) transgenic mice in which all monocyte-derived cells express enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP). To quantify turnover, BM-derived cells from transgenic eGFP mice were transplanted into whole-body irradiated wild-type recipients. Additionally, wild-type BM-derived cells were injected into irradiated Cx3cr1(+/gfp) recipients, creating reverse chimeras. At 2, 4 and 8 weeks post-reconstitution, the number of eGFP(+) cells in each corneal whole mount was calculated using epifluorescence microscopy, immunofluorescence staining and confocal microscopy. The total density of myeloid-derived cells in the normal Cx3cr1(+/gfp) cornea was 366 cells/mm(2). In BM chimeras 2 weeks post-reconstitution, 24% of the myeloid-derived cells had been replenished and were predominantly located in the anterior stroma. By 8 weeks post-reconstitution 75% of the myeloid-derived cells had been replaced and these cells were distributed uniformly throughout the stroma. All donor eGFP(+) cells expressed low to moderate levels of CD45 and CD11b, with approximately 25% coexpressing major histocompatibility complex class II, a phenotype characteristic of previous descriptions of corneal stromal macrophages. In conclusion, 75% of the myeloid-derived cells in the mouse corneal stroma are replenished after 8 weeks. These data provide a strong basis for functional investigations of the role of resident stromal macrophages versus non-haematopoietic cells using BM chimeric mice in models of corneal inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly R Chinnery
- School of Anatomy and Human Biology, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Perth, Western Australia
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Maeshima A. Label-retaining cells in the kidney: origin of regenerating cells after renal ischemia. Clin Exp Nephrol 2007; 11:269-274. [DOI: 10.1007/s10157-007-0500-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2007] [Accepted: 08/15/2007] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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Zuba-Surma EK, Kucia M, Abdel-Latif A, Dawn B, Hall B, Singh R, Lillard JW, Ratajczak MZ. Morphological characterization of very small embryonic-like stem cells (VSELs) by ImageStream system analysis. J Cell Mol Med 2007; 12:292-303. [PMID: 18031297 PMCID: PMC3823490 DOI: 10.1111/j.1582-4934.2007.00154.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, our group purified a rare population of primitive Sca1+/Lin−/CD45− cells from murine bone marrow by employing multiparameter cell sorting. Based on flow cytometric and gene expression analysis, these cells have been shown to express several markers of embryonic stem cells and were accordingly termed Very Small Embryonic-Like stem cells (VSELs). In order to better characterize VSELs, we focused on their morphological parameters (e.g. diameter, nuclear to cytoplasmic ratio, cytoplasmic area) as well as expression of Oct-4. To examine the morphological features of VSELs, we employed a multi-dimensional approach, including (i) traditional flow cytometry, (ii) a novel approach, which is ImageStream (IS) cytometry and (iii) confocal microscopy. We demonstrate by all of the sensitive and precise methods employed, that VSELs are a population of very small cells, which are significantly smaller than haematopoetic stem cells (HSC) (3.63 ± 0.09 versus 6.54 ±0.17 μm in diameter). They also exhibit higher nuclear to cytoplasmic ratio and lower cytoplasmic area as compared with HSCs and mature granulocytes. Besides confirming the size characteristics, confocal microscopic analysis also confirmed that VSELs express Oct-4, a marker of pluripotent embryonic stem cells. Morphological examination reveals that VSELs are unusually small eukaryotic cells that posses several characteristics of embryonic cells. Thus, FACS-based sorting strategies should consider that adult tissues harbour small primitive cells that are larger than platelets and smaller than erythrocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewa K Zuba-Surma
- Stem Cell Biology Institute, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA.
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Chen YT, Li W, Hayashida Y, He H, Chen SY, Tseng DY, Kheirkhah A, Tseng SCG. Human amniotic epithelial cells as novel feeder layers for promoting ex vivo expansion of limbal epithelial progenitor cells. Stem Cells 2007; 25:1995-2005. [PMID: 17495107 PMCID: PMC3197019 DOI: 10.1634/stemcells.2006-0677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Human amniotic epithelial cells (HAECs) are a unique embryonic cell source that potentially can be used as feeder layers for expanding different types of stem cells. In vivo, HAECs uniformly expressed pan-cytokeratins (pan-CK) and heterogeneously expressed vimentin (Vim). The two phenotypes expressing either pan-CK(+)/Vim(+) or pan-CK(+)/Vim(-) were maintained in serum-free media with high calcium. In contrast, all HAECs became pan-CK(+)/Vim(+) in serum-containing media, which also promoted HAEC proliferation for at least eight passages, especially supplemented with epidermal growth factor and insulin. Mitomycin C-arrested HAEC feeder layers were more effective in promoting clonal growth of human limbal epithelial progenitors than conventional 3T3 murine feeder layers. Cells in HAEC-supported clones were uniformly smaller, sustained more proliferation, and expressed less CK12 and connexin 43 but higher levels of stem cell-associated markers such as p63, Musashi-1, and ATP-binding cassette subfamily G2 than those of 3T3-supported clones. Subculturing of clonally expanded limbal progenitors from HAEC feeder layers, but not from 3T3 feeder layers, gave rise to uniformly p63-positive epithelial progenitor cells as well as nestin-positive neuronal-like progenitors. Collectively, these results indicated that HAECs can be used as a human feeder layer equivalent for more effective ex vivo expansion of adult epithelial stem cells from the human limbus. Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Ting Chen
- TissueTech, Inc. and Ocular Surface Center, Miami, Florida, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Wei Li
- TissueTech, Inc. and Ocular Surface Center, Miami, Florida, USA
| | | | - Hua He
- TissueTech, Inc. and Ocular Surface Center, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Szu Yu Chen
- TissueTech, Inc. and Ocular Surface Center, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - David Y. Tseng
- TissueTech, Inc. and Ocular Surface Center, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Ahmad Kheirkhah
- TissueTech, Inc. and Ocular Surface Center, Miami, Florida, USA
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