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Kauppila M, Vattulainen M, Ihalainen TO, Mörö A, Ilmarinen T, Skottman H. Whole mount immunofluorescence analysis of fresh and stored human donor corneas highlights changes in limbal characteristics during storage. Ocul Surf 2024; 34:50-59. [PMID: 38945477 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtos.2024.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Human donor corneas are an essential control tissue for corneal research. We utilized whole mount immunofluorescence (WM-IF) to evaluate how the storage affects the tissue integrity and putative limbal stem cells in human and porcine corneas. Moreover, we compare this information with the marker expression patterns observed in human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived LSCs. METHODS The expression of putative LSC markers was analyzed with WM-IF and the fluorescence intensity was quantified in human donor corneas stored for 1-30 days, and in porcine corneas processed 0-6 h after euthanasia. The results were compared with the staining of human and porcine corneal cryosections and with both primary and hPSC-derived LSC cultures. RESULTS WM-IF analyses emerged as a more effective method when compared to tissue sections for visualizing the expression of LSC markers within human and porcine corneas. Storage duration was a significant factor influencing the expression of LSC markers, as human tissues stored longer exhibited notable epithelial degeneration and lack of LSC markers. Porcine corneas replicated the expression patterns observed in fresh human tissue. We validated the diverse expression patterns of PAX6 in the limbal-corneal region, which aligned with findings from hPSC-LSC differentiation experiments. CONCLUSIONS WM-IF coupled with quantification of fluorescence intensities proved to be a valuable tool for investigating LSC marker expression in both human and porcine tissues ex vivo. Prolonged storage significantly influences the expression of LSC markers, underscoring the importance of fresh human or substitute control tissue when studying limbal stem cell biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maija Kauppila
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, 33520, Finland
| | - Meri Vattulainen
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, 33520, Finland
| | - Teemu O Ihalainen
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, 33520, Finland; Tampere Institute for Advanced Study, Tampere University, Tampere, 33520, Finland
| | - Anni Mörö
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, 33520, Finland
| | - Tanja Ilmarinen
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, 33520, Finland
| | - Heli Skottman
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, 33520, Finland.
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Soleimani M, Cheraqpour K, Koganti R, Baharnoori SM, Djalilian AR. Concise Review: Bioengineering of Limbal Stem Cell Niche. BIOENGINEERING (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 10:bioengineering10010111. [PMID: 36671683 PMCID: PMC9855097 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering10010111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 01/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
The corneal epithelium is composed of nonkeratinized stratified squamous cells and has a significant turnover rate. Limbal integrity is vital to maintain the clarity and avascularity of the cornea as well as regeneration of the corneal epithelium. Limbal epithelial stem cells (LESCs) are located in the basal epithelial layer of the limbus and preserve this homeostasis. Proper functioning of LESCs is dependent on a specific microenvironment, known as the limbal stem cell niche (LSCN). This structure is made up of various cells, an extracellular matrix (ECM), and signaling molecules. Different etiologies may damage the LSCN, leading to limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD), which is characterized by conjunctivalization of the cornea. In this review, we first summarize the basics of the LSCN and then focus on current and emerging bioengineering strategies for LSCN restoration to combat LSCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Soleimani
- Eye Research Center, Farabi Eye Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1336616351, Iran
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Kasra Cheraqpour
- Eye Research Center, Farabi Eye Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1336616351, Iran
| | - Raghuram Koganti
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Seyed Mahbod Baharnoori
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Ali R. Djalilian
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- Correspondence:
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Kalaimani L, Devarajan B, Namperumalsamy VP, Veerappan M, Daniels JT, Chidambaranathan GP. Hsa-miR-143-3p inhibits Wnt-β-catenin and MAPK signaling in human corneal epithelial stem cells. Sci Rep 2022; 12:11432. [PMID: 35794158 PMCID: PMC9259643 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-15263-x] [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: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Our previous study demonstrated hsa-miR-143-3p as one of the highly expressed miRNAs in enriched corneal epithelial stem cells (CESCs). Hence this study aims to elucidate the regulatory role of hsa-miR-143-3p in the maintenance of stemness in CESCs. The target genes of hsa-miR-143-3p were predicted and subjected to pathway analysis to select the targets for functional studies. Primary cultured limbal epithelial cells were transfected with hsa-miR-143-3p mimic, inhibitor or scrambled sequence using Lipofectamine 3000. The transfected cells were analysed for (i) colony forming potential, (ii) expression of stem cell (SC) markers/ transcription factors (ABCG2, NANOG, OCT4, KLF4, ΔNp63), (iii) differentiation marker (Cx43), (iv) predicted five targets of hsa-miR-143-3p (DVL3, MAPK1, MAPK14, KRAS and KAT6A), (v) MAPK signaling regulators and (vi) Wnt-β-catenin signaling regulators by qPCR, immunofluorescence staining and/or Western blotting. High expression of hsa-miR-143-3p increased the colony forming potential (10.04 ± 1.35%, p < 0.001) with the ability to form holoclone-like colonies in comparison to control (3.33 ± 0.71%). The mimic treated cells had increased expression of SC markers but reduced expression of Cx43 and hsa-miR-143-3p targets involved in Wnt-β-catenin and MAPK signaling pathways. The expression of β-catenin, active β-catenin and ERK2 in hsa-miR-143-3p inhibitor transfected cells were higher than the control cells and the localized nuclear expression indicated the activation of Wnt and MAPK signaling. Thus, the probable association of hsa-miR-143-3p in the maintenance of CESCs through inhibition of Wnt and MAPK signaling pathways was thus indicated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lavanya Kalaimani
- Department of Immunology and Stem Cell Biology, Aravind Medical Research Foundation, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, 625020, India.,Department of Biotechnology, Aravind Medical Research Foundation-Affiliated to Alagappa University, Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu, India.,Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Bharanidharan Devarajan
- Department of Bioinformatics, Aravind Medical Research Foundation, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | | | - Muthukkaruppan Veerappan
- Department of Immunology and Stem Cell Biology, Aravind Medical Research Foundation, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, 625020, India
| | - Julie T Daniels
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Gowri Priya Chidambaranathan
- Department of Immunology and Stem Cell Biology, Aravind Medical Research Foundation, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, 625020, India. .,Department of Biotechnology, Aravind Medical Research Foundation-Affiliated to Alagappa University, Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu, India.
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ROCK ‘n TOR: An Outlook on Keratinocyte Stem Cell Expansion in Regenerative Medicine via Protein Kinase Inhibition. Cells 2022; 11:cells11071130. [PMID: 35406693 PMCID: PMC8997668 DOI: 10.3390/cells11071130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Keratinocyte stem cells play a fundamental role in homeostasis and repair of stratified epithelial tissues. Transplantation of cultured keratinocytes autografts provides a landmark example of successful cellular therapies by restoring durable integrity in stratified epithelia lost to devastating tissue conditions. Despite the overall success of such procedures, failures still occur in case of paucity of cultured stem cells in therapeutic grafts. Strategies aiming at a further amplification of stem cells during keratinocyte ex vivo expansion may thus extend the applicability of these treatments to subjects in which endogenous stem cells pools are depauperated by aging, trauma, or disease. Pharmacological targeting of stem cell signaling pathways is recently emerging as a powerful strategy for improving stem cell maintenance and/or amplification. Recent experimental data indicate that pharmacological inhibition of two prominent keratinocyte signaling pathways governed by apical mTOR and ROCK protein kinases favor stem cell maintenance and/or amplification ex vivo and may improve the effectiveness of stem cell-based therapeutic procedures. In this review, we highlight the pathophysiological roles of mTOR and ROCK in keratinocyte biology and evaluate existing pre-clinical data on the effects of their inhibition in epithelial stem cell expansion for transplantation purposes.
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Vattulainen M, Ilmarinen T, Viheriälä T, Jokinen V, Skottman H. Corneal epithelial differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells generates ABCB5 + and ∆Np63α + cells with limbal cell characteristics and high wound healing capacity. Stem Cell Res Ther 2021; 12:609. [PMID: 34930437 PMCID: PMC8691049 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-021-02673-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Differentiation of functional limbal stem cells (LSCs) from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) is an important objective which can provide novel treatment solutions for patients suffering from limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD). Yet, further characterization is needed to better evaluate their immunogenicity and regenerative potential before clinical applications. Methods Human PSCs were differentiated towards corneal fate and cryopreserved using a clinically applicable protocol. Resulting hPSC-LSC populations were examined at days 10–11 and 24–25 during differentiation as well as at passage 1 post-thaw. Expression of cornea-associated markers including PAX6, ABCG2, ∆Np63α, CK15, CK14, CK12 and ABCB5 as well as human leukocyte antigens (HLAs) was analyzed using immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. Wound healing properties of the post-thaw hPSC-LSCs were assessed via calcium imaging and scratch assay. Human and porcine tissue-derived cultured LSCs were used as controls for marker expression analysis and scratch assays at passage 1. Results The day 24–25 and post-thaw hPSC-LSCs displayed a similar marker profile with the tissue-derived LSCs, showing abundant expression of PAX6, ∆Np63α, CK15, CK14 and ABCB5 and low expression of ABCG2. In contrast, day 10–11 hPSC-LSCs had lower expression of ABCB5 and ∆Np63α, but high expression of ABCG2. A small portion of the day 10–11 cells coexpressed ABCG2 and ABCB5. The expression of class I HLAs increased during hPSC-LSCs differentiation and was uniform in post-thaw hPSC-LSCs, however the intensity was lower in comparison to tissue-derived LSCs. The calcium imaging revealed that the post-thaw hPSC-LSCs generated a robust response towards epithelial wound healing signaling mediator ATP. Further, scratch assay revealed that post-thaw hPSC-LSCs had higher wound healing capacity in comparison to tissue-derived LSCs. Conclusions Clinically relevant LSC-like cells can be efficiently differentiated from hPSCs. The post-thaw hPSC-LSCs possess functional potency in calcium responses towards injury associated signals and in wound closure. The developmental trajectory observed during hPSC-LSC differentiation, giving rise to ABCG2+ population and further to ABCB5+ and ∆Np63α+ cells with limbal characteristics, indicates hPSC-derived cells can be utilized as a valuable cell source for the treatment of patients afflicted corneal blindness due to LSCD. Graphical Abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13287-021-02673-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meri Vattulainen
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Arvo Ylpön katu 34, 33520, Tampere, Finland
| | - Tanja Ilmarinen
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Arvo Ylpön katu 34, 33520, Tampere, Finland
| | - Taina Viheriälä
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Arvo Ylpön katu 34, 33520, Tampere, Finland
| | - Vilma Jokinen
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Arvo Ylpön katu 34, 33520, Tampere, Finland
| | - Heli Skottman
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Arvo Ylpön katu 34, 33520, Tampere, Finland.
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Wang Y, Hu X, Yang K, Zhang Y, Deng S, Wang Z, Li S, Tian L, Jie Y. Clinical outcomes of modified simple limbal epithelial transplantation for limbal stem cell deficiency in Chinese population: a retrospective case series. Stem Cell Res Ther 2021; 12:259. [PMID: 33933149 PMCID: PMC8088623 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-021-02345-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To report the clinical outcomes of a novel surgical technique, namely simple limbal epithelial transplantation (SLET), for the treatment of limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD). Methods Thirteen patients (13 eyes) with LSCD who underwent autologous (10 eyes) or allogeneic (3 eyes) modified SLET between 2018 and 2021 were enrolled in this study. Grades of symblepharon, corneal conjunctivalization, vascularization, opacification, and visual acuity (VA) were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively. In 2 cases, in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) and impression cytology (IC) were performed to assess the proliferation and degeneration of limbal tissue. Results At a postoperative follow-up of 6.5±5.3 (range, 2–20) months, 10 (10/13, 76.92%) eyes maintained a successful outcome. The grades of symblepharon, corneal conjunctivalization, vascularization, and opacification were significantly improved after SLET (P<0.05). Two-line improvement in VA was found in 6 (6/10, 60%) eyes of the successful cases. Recurrence of LSCD occurred in 3 (3/13, 23.08%) eyes, and conjunctival cyst occurred in 1 patient. After SLET, the morphology and structure of corneal epithelial cells and epithelial transition around the limbal tissue fragments were detected by IVCM and IC. Conclusions Our findings suggest that the SLET is a safe and effective technique for the treatment of LSCD. The corneal stroma and hAM can provide protection and nutrition for the limbal stem cells (LSCs) without negatively influencing the clinical outcomes. IVCM and IC after SLET can evaluate the effectiveness of surgery and the transition of LSCs and corneal epithelial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinghui Wang
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Beijing Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Key Laboratory, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Xiaodan Hu
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Beijing Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Key Laboratory, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Ke Yang
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Beijing Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Key Laboratory, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Yang Zhang
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Beijing Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Key Laboratory, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Shijing Deng
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Beijing Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Key Laboratory, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Zhiqun Wang
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Beijing Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Key Laboratory, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Shang Li
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Beijing Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Key Laboratory, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Lei Tian
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Beijing Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Key Laboratory, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100730, China.
| | - Ying Jie
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Beijing Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Key Laboratory, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100730, China.
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Seyed-Safi AG, Daniels JT. The limbus: Structure and function. Exp Eye Res 2020; 197:108074. [PMID: 32502532 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2020.108074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Limbal function is a key determinant of corneal epithelial integrity. Lineage tracing studies in mice have highlighted that the centripetal movement of epithelial progenitors from the limbus drives both the steady-state maintenance of the corneal epithelium and its regeneration following injury. It is well established that this is facilitated by a population of limbal epithelial stem cells within the limbus. It is becoming increasingly apparent that the behaviour of these stem cells and their ability to respond to the needs of the tissue are closely linked to their immediate microenvironment - the stem cell niche. Increasing understanding of the structural features of this niche and the signalling networks that they coordinate is required to enhance the therapeutic application of these cells in the treatment of limbal stem cell deficiency. Importantly, an improved characterisation of the hierarchy of limbal epithelial progenitors using both new and old putative markers will enable a greater appreciation for the effects of many of these limbal niche factors on stem cell fate.
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