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Chin JY, Liu C, Lee IXY, Lin MTY, Cheng CY, Wong JHF, Teo CL, Mehta JS, Liu YC. Impact of Age on the Characteristics of Corneal Nerves and Corneal Epithelial Cells in Healthy Adults. Cornea 2024; 43:409-418. [PMID: 37643477 PMCID: PMC10906190 DOI: 10.1097/ico.0000000000003363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this study was to investigate age-related changes in corneal nerves and corneal epithelial cell parameters and to establish age-adjusted reference values. METHODS A total of 7025 corneal nerve images and 4215 corneal epithelial images obtained using in vivo confocal microscopy from 281 eyes of 143 healthy participants were included. Seven corneal nerve parameters and 3 corneal epithelial cell parameters were quantified using 2 automatic analytic software and analyzed across 6 age groups ranging from 21 to 80 years. RESULTS There was a declining trend in all 7 nerve parameters with advancing age. In particular, corneal nerve fiber length and corneal nerve fiber density demonstrated a significant decrease in subjects aged 65 years or older compared with subjects younger than 65 years (10.8 ± 2.6 mm/mm 2 vs. 9.9 ± 2.0 mm/mm 2 , P = 0.011 in corneal nerve fiber length; 15.8 ± 5.2 fibers/mm 2 vs. 14.4 ± 4.3 fibers/mm 2 , P = 0.046 in corneal nerve fiber density), whereas corneal nerve fractal dimension demonstrated a borderline significant decrease ( P = 0.057). Similarly, there was a general declining trend in all epithelial cell parameters with advancing age. Corneal epithelial cell circularity was significantly lower in subjects aged 65 years and older as compared to subjects younger than 65 years (0.722 ± 0.021 μm 2 vs. 0.714 ± 0.021 μm 2 ; P = 0.011). CONCLUSIONS Advancing age results in reduced corneal nerve metrics and alteration of corneal cell morphology. Aging effects should be considered when evaluating patients with corneal neuropathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Ying Chin
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore
| | - Chang Liu
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore
| | - Isabelle Xin Yu Lee
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore
| | - Molly Tzu Yu Lin
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore
| | - Ching-Yu Cheng
- Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Academic Clinical Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
- Epidemiology Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore
- Department of Ophthalmology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jipson Hon Fai Wong
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore
| | - Cong Ling Teo
- Epidemiology Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore
| | - Jodhbir S. Mehta
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore
- Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Academic Clinical Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
- Department of Cornea and External Eye Disease, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore; and
| | - Yu-Chi Liu
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore
- Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Academic Clinical Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
- Department of Cornea and External Eye Disease, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore; and
- Department of Ophthalmology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
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2
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Davidson KC, Sung M, Brown KD, Contet J, Belluschi S, Hamel R, Moreno-Moral A, Dos Santos RL, Gough J, Polo JM, Daniell M, Parfitt GJ. Single nuclei transcriptomics of the in situ human limbal stem cell niche. Sci Rep 2024; 14:6749. [PMID: 38514716 PMCID: PMC10957941 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-57242-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The corneal epithelium acts as a barrier to pathogens entering the eye; corneal epithelial cells are continuously renewed by uni-potent, quiescent limbal stem cells (LSCs) located at the limbus, where the cornea transitions to conjunctiva. There has yet to be a consensus on LSC markers and their transcriptome profile is not fully understood, which may be due to using cadaveric tissue without an intact stem cell niche for transcriptomics. In this study, we addressed this problem by using single nuclei RNA sequencing (snRNAseq) on healthy human limbal tissue that was immediately snap-frozen after excision from patients undergoing cataract surgery. We identified the quiescent LSCs as a sub-population of corneal epithelial cells with a low level of total transcript counts. Moreover, TP63, KRT15, CXCL14, and ITGβ4 were found to be highly expressed in LSCs and transiently amplifying cells (TACs), which constitute the corneal epithelial progenitor populations at the limbus. The surface markers SLC6A6 and ITGβ4 could be used to enrich human corneal epithelial cell progenitors, which were also found to specifically express the putative limbal progenitor cell markers MMP10 and AC093496.1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn C Davidson
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | | | - Karl D Brown
- Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA), Melbourne, Australia
| | - Julian Contet
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | | | | | | | | | - Julian Gough
- Mogrify Limited, Cambridge, England, UK
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, England, UK
| | - Jose M Polo
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.
- Mogrify Limited, Cambridge, England, UK.
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Clayton, VIC, Australia.
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.
- Adelaide Centre for Epigenetics, Faculty of Medicine Nursing and Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia.
- The South Australian Immunogenomics Cancer Institute, Faculty of Medicine Nursing and Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia.
| | - Mark Daniell
- Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA), Melbourne, Australia.
| | - Geraint J Parfitt
- Mogrify Limited, Cambridge, England, UK.
- Ophthalmology Discovery Research, AbbVie, Irvine, CA, USA.
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3
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Martí-Clúa J. 5-Bromo-2'-deoxyuridine labeling: historical perspectives, factors influencing the detection, toxicity, and its implications in the neurogenesis. Neural Regen Res 2024; 19:302-308. [PMID: 37488882 PMCID: PMC10503596 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.379038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The halopyrimidine 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) is an exogenous marker of DNA synthesis. Since the introduction of monoclonal antibodies against BrdU, an increasing number of methodologies have been used for the immunodetection of this synthesized bromine-tagged base analogue into replicating DNA. BrdU labeling is widely used for identifying neuron precursors and following their fate during the embryonic, perinatal, and adult neurogenesis in a variety of vertebrate species including birds, reptiles, and mammals. Due to BrdU toxicity, its incorporation into replicating DNA presents adverse consequences on the generation, survival, and settled patterns of cells. This may lead to false results and misinterpretation in the identification of proliferative neuroblasts. In this review, I will indicate the detrimental effects of this nucleoside during the development of the central nervous system, as well as the reliability of BrdU labeling to detect proliferating neuroblasts. Moreover, it will show factors influencing BrdU immunodetection and the contribution of this nucleoside to the study of prenatal, perinatal, and adult neurogenesis. Human adult neurogenesis will also be discussed. It is my hope that this review serves as a reference for those researchers who focused on detecting cells that are in the synthetic phase of the cell cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joaquín Martí-Clúa
- Unidad de Citología e Histología. Departament de Biologia Cel·lular, de Fisiologia i d’Immunologia. Facultad de Biociencias. Institut de Neurociències. Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
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4
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Altshuler A, Amitai-Lange A, Nasser W, Dimri S, Bhattacharya S, Tiosano B, Barbara R, Aberdam D, Shimmura S, Shalom-Feuerstein R. Eyes open on stem cells. Stem Cell Reports 2023; 18:2313-2327. [PMID: 38039972 PMCID: PMC10724227 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2023.10.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, the murine cornea has reemerged as a robust stem cell (SC) model, allowing individual SC tracing in living animals. The cornea has pioneered seminal discoveries in SC biology and regenerative medicine, from the first corneal transplantation in 1905 to the identification of limbal SCs and their transplantation to successfully restore vision in the early 1990s. Recent experiments have exposed unexpected properties attributed to SCs and progenitors and revealed flexibility in the differentiation program and a key role for the SC niche. Here, we discuss the limbal SC model and its broader relevance to other tissues, disease, and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Altshuler
- Department of Genetics & Developmental Biology, The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine & Research Institute, Technion Integrated Cancer Center, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 31096, Israel.
| | - Aya Amitai-Lange
- Department of Genetics & Developmental Biology, The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine & Research Institute, Technion Integrated Cancer Center, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 31096, Israel
| | - Waseem Nasser
- Department of Genetics & Developmental Biology, The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine & Research Institute, Technion Integrated Cancer Center, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 31096, Israel
| | - Shalini Dimri
- Department of Genetics & Developmental Biology, The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine & Research Institute, Technion Integrated Cancer Center, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 31096, Israel
| | - Swarnabh Bhattacharya
- Department of Genetics & Developmental Biology, The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine & Research Institute, Technion Integrated Cancer Center, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 31096, Israel
| | - Beatrice Tiosano
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hillel Yaffe Medical Center, Hadera, Israel
| | - Ramez Barbara
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hillel Yaffe Medical Center, Hadera, Israel
| | - Daniel Aberdam
- Université Paris-Cité, INSERM U1138, Centre des Cordeliers, 75270 Paris, France
| | - Shigeto Shimmura
- Department of Clinical Regenerative Medicine, Fujita Medical Innovation Center, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ruby Shalom-Feuerstein
- Department of Genetics & Developmental Biology, The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine & Research Institute, Technion Integrated Cancer Center, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 31096, Israel.
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5
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Başkan C, Kılıcarslan A. How Can We Diagnose Ocular Surface Squamous Neoplasia With Optical Coherence Tomography? Cureus 2023; 15:e36320. [PMID: 36941905 PMCID: PMC10023871 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.36320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of optical coherence tomography (OCT) in the differential diagnosis of anterior segment diseases such as ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) and pterygium. METHODS Patients who were pre-diagnosed with either OSSN (21) or pterygium (19) between January 2020 and November 2022 were included in this retrospective study. Anterior segment photographs and anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) measurements were obtained from each patient. Excisional or incisional biopsy materials underwent pathological evaluation. RESULTS Preoperative AS-OCT images of the patients with OSSN showed similarities with histopathological specimens. Both ocular and pathological specimens appeared to have a thicker epithelial layer with a distinct change from healthy to neoplastic epithelium. Preoperative AS-OCT images of individuals with pterygium were also comparable with histopathological samples. Both pathological and AS-OCT images of the pterygium patients showed a normal thickness epithelium and a thickened subepithelial layer under the epithelium. The mean epithelial thickness measured with AS-OCT in OSSN patients was found to be 295.3 ± 111.3 µm, while it was 80.7 ± 43.4 µm in pterygium patients. The difference was statistically significant (P<0.001). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis revealed a cut-off value of 97 µm for the differential diagnosis of OSSN from pterygium, with a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 94.7%. CONCLUSIONS AS-OCT can be used as a noninvasive diagnostic tool for the evaluation of ocular surface lesions. Its ability to distinguish between OSSN and pterygium is demonstrated by the statistically significant difference in epithelial thickness and the significant morphological association with histopathological findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ceyda Başkan
- Ophthalmology, Ankara Bilkent City Hospital, Ankara, TUR
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Li S, Sun J, Yang J, Yang Y, Ding H, Yu B, Ma K, Chen M. Gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) loaded with concentrated hypoxic pretreated adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells(ADSCs) conditioned medium promotes wound healing and vascular regeneration in aged skin. Biomater Res 2023; 27:11. [PMID: 36782342 PMCID: PMC9926638 DOI: 10.1186/s40824-023-00352-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aging skin is characterized by a disturbed structure and lack of blood supply, which makes it difficult to heal once injured. ADSCs secrete large amounts of cytokines, which promote wound healing and vascular regeneration through paracrine secretion, and the number of cytokines can be elevated by hypoxic pretreating. However, the components of ADSCs are difficult to retain in wounds. Gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) is a photopolymerizable hydrogel synthesized from gelatin and has recently emerged as a potentially attractive material for tissue engineering applications. GelMA loaded with concentrated hypoxic pretreated ADSCs conditioned medium could provide a new method of treating wounds in aged skin. METHODS Primary ADSCs were isolated from human adipose tissue and characterized by flow cytometry and differentiation test. ADSCs in passages 4-6 were pretreated in the hypoxic and normoxic environments to collect conditioned medium, the conditioned medium was then concentrated to prepare concentrated ADSCs conditioned medium(cADSC-CM)(the one collected from ADSCs under hypoxia was called hypo-CM ,and the one from normoxia was called nor-CM). The concentration of cytokines was detected. After treated with cADSC-CM, the abilities of proliferation, migration, and tube formation of human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) were assayed, and Akt/mTOR and MAPK signal pathway was detected using western blotting. GelMA+hypo-CM hydrogel was prepared, and a comprehensive evaluation of morphology, protein release efficiency, degradation rate, mechanical properties, and rheology properties were performed. Full-thickness skin wounds were created on the backs of 20-month-old mice. After surgery, GelMA, GelMA+F12, GelMA+hypo-CM, and GelMA+nor-CM were applied to the wound surface respectively. H&E, Masson, and immunohistochemistry staining were performed, and a laser Doppler perfusion imager was used to evaluate the blood perfusion. The student's t-test was used for analysis between two groups and a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used for analysis among multi groups. RESULTS Our results revealed that 1) wounds in aged skin healed more slowly than that in young skin and exhibited poorer perfusion; 2) hypoxic pretreated ADSCs secreted more cytokines including VEGF by activating HIF1α; 3) hypo-CM promoted proliferation and migration of HUVECs through VEGF/Akt/mTOR and MAPK signal pathway; 4) GelMA-hypoCM accelerated wound healing and angiogenesis in aged skin in vivo. CONCLUSION GelMA loaded with concentrated hypoxic pretreated adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells conditioned medium could accelerate wound healing in aged skin by promoting angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiyi Li
- grid.414252.40000 0004 1761 8894Senior Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, The Fourth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, No. 51 Fucheng Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100038 China ,grid.488137.10000 0001 2267 2324Chinese PLA Medical School, Beijing, 100853 China
| | - Jiachen Sun
- grid.414252.40000 0004 1761 8894Senior Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, The Fourth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, No. 51 Fucheng Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100038 China ,grid.411472.50000 0004 1764 1621Department of Dermatology and Venerology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034 China
| | - Jinxiu Yang
- grid.414252.40000 0004 1761 8894Senior Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, The Fourth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, No. 51 Fucheng Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100038 China ,grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 78397th Department of Plastic Surgery, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100144 China
| | - Yi Yang
- grid.414252.40000 0004 1761 8894Senior Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, The Fourth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, No. 51 Fucheng Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100038 China ,grid.488137.10000 0001 2267 2324Chinese PLA Medical School, Beijing, 100853 China
| | - Hongfan Ding
- grid.414252.40000 0004 1761 8894Senior Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, The Fourth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, No. 51 Fucheng Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100038 China ,grid.488137.10000 0001 2267 2324Chinese PLA Medical School, Beijing, 100853 China
| | - Boya Yu
- grid.414252.40000 0004 1761 8894Senior Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, The Fourth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, No. 51 Fucheng Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100038 China ,grid.488137.10000 0001 2267 2324Chinese PLA Medical School, Beijing, 100853 China
| | - Kui Ma
- grid.414252.40000 0004 1761 8894Research Center for Tissue Repair and Regeneration Affiliated to the Medical Innovation Research Division, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100048 China
| | - Minliang Chen
- Senior Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, The Fourth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, No. 51 Fucheng Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100038, China.
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7
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Lin X, Mekonnen T, Verma S, Zevallos-Delgado C, Singh M, Aglyamov SR, Gesteira TF, Larin KV, Coulson-Thomas VJ. Hyaluronan Modulates the Biomechanical Properties of the Cornea. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2022; 63:6. [PMID: 36478198 PMCID: PMC9733656 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.63.13.6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Hyaluronan (HA) is a major constituent of the extracellular matrix (ECM) that has high viscosity and is essential for maintaining tissue hydration. In the cornea, HA is enriched in the limbal region and is a key component of the limbal epithelial stem cell niche. HA is upregulated after injury participating in the formation of the provisional matrix, and has a key role in regulating the wound healing process. This study investigated whether changes in the distribution of HA before and after injury affects the biomechanical properties of the cornea in vivo. Methods Corneas of wild-type (wt) mice and mice lacking enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of HA were analyzed before, immediately after, and 7 and 14 days after a corneal alkali burn (AB). The corneas were evaluated using both a ring light and fluorescein stain by in vivo confocal microscopy, optical coherence elastography (OCE), and immunostaining of corneal whole mounts. Results Our results show that wt mice and mice lacking HA synthase (Has)1 and 3 present an increase in corneal stiffness 7 and 14 days after AB without a significant increase in HA expression and absence of scarring at 14 days after AB. In contrast, mice lacking Has2 present a significant decrease in corneal stiffness, with a significant increase in HA expression and scarring at 14 days after AB. Conclusions Our findings show that the mechanical properties of the cornea are significantly modulated by changes in HA distribution following alkali burn.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Lin
- College of Optometry, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, United States
| | - Taye Mekonnen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, United States
| | - Sudhir Verma
- College of Optometry, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, United States,Department of Zoology, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya College, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | | | - Manmohan Singh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, United States
| | - Salavat R. Aglyamov
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, United States
| | - Tarsis F. Gesteira
- College of Optometry, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, United States
| | - Kirill V. Larin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, United States
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Ying PX, Fu M, Huang C, Li ZH, Mao QY, Fu S, Jia XH, Cao YC, Hong LB, Cai LY, Guo X, Liu RB, Meng FK, Yi GG. Profile of biological characterizations and clinical application of corneal stem/progenitor cells. World J Stem Cells 2022; 14:777-797. [PMID: 36483848 PMCID: PMC9724387 DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.v14.i11.777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Corneal stem/progenitor cells are typical adult stem/progenitor cells. The human cornea covers the front of the eyeball, which protects the eye from the outside environment while allowing vision. The location and function demand the cornea to maintain its transparency and to continuously renew its epithelial surface by replacing injured or aged cells through a rapid turnover process in which corneal stem/progenitor cells play an important role. Corneal stem/progenitor cells include mainly corneal epithelial stem cells, corneal endothelial cell progenitors and corneal stromal stem cells. Since the discovery of corneal epithelial stem cells (also known as limbal stem cells) in 1971, an increasing number of markers for corneal stem/progenitor cells have been proposed, but there is no consensus regarding the definitive markers for them. Therefore, the identification, isolation and cultivation of these cells remain challenging without a unified approach. In this review, we systematically introduce the profile of biological characterizations, such as anatomy, characteristics, isolation, cultivation and molecular markers, and clinical applications of the three categories of corneal stem/progenitor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Xi Ying
- Department of Ophthalmology, Zhujiang Hospital, The Second Clinical School, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510280, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Min Fu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510280, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Chang Huang
- Eye Institute and Department of Ophthalmology, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200030, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Myopia, Fudan University, Shanghai 200030, China
- Key Laboratory of Myopia, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Zhi-Hong Li
- Department of Cardiology, State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Shock and Microcirculation, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510550, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Qing-Yi Mao
- The Second Clinical School, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Sheng Fu
- Hengyang Medical School, The University of South China, Hengyang 421001, Hunan Province, China
| | - Xu-Hui Jia
- The Second Clinical School, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Yu-Chen Cao
- The Second Clinical School, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Li-Bing Hong
- The Second Clinical School, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Li-Yang Cai
- The Second Clinical School, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xi Guo
- Medical College of Rehabilitation, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Ru-Bing Liu
- The Second Clinical School, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Fan-ke Meng
- Emergency Department, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510280, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Guo-Guo Yi
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, Guangdong Province, China
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9
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Hsa-miR-150-5p inhibits Wnt-β-catenin signaling in human corneal epithelial stem cells. Mol Vis 2022; 28:178-191. [PMID: 36274818 PMCID: PMC9491245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE In our earlier study, we identified hsa-miR-150-5p as a highly expressed miRNA in enriched corneal epithelial stem cells (CESCs). In this study, we aimed to understand the molecular regulatory function of hsa-miR-150-5p in association with the maintenance of stemness in CESCs. METHODS The target mRNAs of hsa-miR-150-5p were predicted and subjected to pathway analysis to identify targets for functional studies. Primary cultured limbal epithelial cells were transfected with hsa-miR-150-5p mimic, inhibitor, or scrambled sequence using Lipofectamine 3000. The transfected cells were analyzed to determine (i) their colony-forming potential; (ii) the expression levels of stem cell (SC) markers/transcription factors (ABCG2, NANOG, OCT4, KLF4, and ΔNp63), the differentiation marker (Cx43), and the hsa-miR-150-5p predicted targets (JARID2, INHBA, AKT3, and CTNNB1) by qPCR; and (iii) the expression levels of ABCG2, p63α, Cx43, JARID2, AKT3, p-AKT3, β-catenin, and active β-catenin by immunofluorescence staining and/or western blotting. RESULTS The ectopic expression level of hsa-miR-150-5p increased the colony-forming potential (8.29% ± 0.47%, p < 0.001) with the ability to form holoclone-like colonies compared with the control (1.8% ± 0.47%). The mimic-treated cells had higher expression levels of the SC markers but reduced expression levels of Cx43 and the targets of hsa-miR-150-5p that are involved in the Wnt-β-catenin signaling pathway. The expression levels of β-catenin and active β-catenin in the inhibitor-transfected cells were higher than those in the control cells, and the localized nuclear expression indicated the activation of Wnt signaling. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate a regulatory role for hsa-miR-150-5p in the maintenance of CESCs by inhibiting the Wnt signaling pathway.
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10
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Puri S, Moreno IY, Sun M, Verma S, Lin X, Gesteira TF, Coulson-Thomas VJ. Hyaluronan supports the limbal stem cell phenotype during ex vivo culture. Stem Cell Res Ther 2022; 13:384. [PMID: 35907870 PMCID: PMC9338506 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-022-03084-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hyaluronan (HA) has previously been identified as an integral component of the limbal stem cell niche in vivo. In this study, we investigated whether a similar HA matrix is also expressed in vitro providing a niche supporting limbal epithelial stem cells (LESCs) during ex vivo expansion. We also investigated whether providing exogenous HA in vitro is beneficial to LESCs during ex vivo expansion. METHOD Human LESCs (hLESCs) were isolated from donor corneas and a mouse corneal epithelial progenitor cell line (TKE2) was obtained. The HA matrix was identified surrounding LESCs in vitro using immunocytochemistry, flow cytometry and red blood exclusion assay. Thereafter, LESCs were maintained on HA coated dishes or in the presence of HA supplemented in the media, and viability, proliferation, cell size, colony formation capabilities and expression of putative stem cell markers were compared with cells maintained on commonly used coated dishes. RESULTS hLESCs and TKE2 cells express an HA-rich matrix in vitro, and this matrix is essential for maintaining LESCs. Further supplying exogenous HA, as a substrate and supplemented to the media, increases LESC proliferation, colony formation capabilities and the expression levels of putative limbal stem cell markers. CONCLUSION Our data show that both exogenous and endogenous HA help to maintain the LESC phenotype. Exogenous HA provides improved culture conditions for LESC during ex vivo expansion. Thus, HA forms a favorable microenvironment for LESCs during ex vivo expansion and, therefore, could be considered as an easy and cost-effective substrate and/or supplement for culturing LESCs in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudan Puri
- College of Optometry, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Isabel Y Moreno
- College of Optometry, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Mingxia Sun
- College of Optometry, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sudhir Verma
- College of Optometry, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Zoology, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Xiao Lin
- College of Optometry, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
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11
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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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12
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Sun J, Zhao H, Shen C, Li S, Zhang W, Ma J, Li Z, Zhang M, Yang J. Tideglusib promotes wound healing in aged skin by activating PI3K/Akt pathway. Stem Cell Res Ther 2022; 13:269. [PMID: 35729652 PMCID: PMC9210790 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-022-02949-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Aging disturbs the skin morphology and function, manifested as thinned epithelium and impaired wound healing. As a major type of skin cells, epidermal stem cells (EpiSCs) are inevitably affected by aging. The effect of age on EpiSCs and wound healing needs to be further explored. Methods Skin RNA-seq data of young (5 months) and old (30 months) CB6F1 mice were obtained from GEO Series GSE35322 with 10 in each age group. Differentially expressed genes were analyzed, and EpiSCs-related pathways were enriched by KEGG. The age-related changes of the screened PI3K/Akt pathway were validated by Western Blot and immunofluorescence of epidermis of SD rats (2, 17, and 23 months, n = 6). The expression of upstream protein EGFR was assessed by immunofluorescence in skin of mice (4, 13, and 23 months, n = 6) and human (respectively, 23, 28, 30 years old in the young group and 69, 73, 78 years old in the old group) skin. Inhibitors of EGFR were used to verify its effects on EpiSCs and wound healing. The small molecule drug Tideglusib was tested for its effects on signaling pathways of EpiSCs and wound healing of aged rats. Western Blot was used for the detection of signaling pathways in in vitro experiments. Cell migration assays were used to assess cell migration ability. Flow cytometry was used to detect changes in cell cycle and apoptosis levels. Sulforhodamine B assay and CCK-8 assay were used to evaluate cell proliferation and viability, respectively. Student’s t test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by the multiple comparisons Bonferroni test were used for statistical analysis. The 0.05 level of confidence was accepted as a significant difference. Results EpiSCs-related PI3K/Akt pathway was enriched by KEGG and verified by decreased phosphorylation of Akt (32.1 ± 13.8%, P < 0.01) and mTOR (38.9 ± 11.8%, P < 0.01) in aged epidermis of rats. Furthermore, the expression of PI3K/Akt-upstream EGFR decreased with age in the epidermis of mouse (27.6 ± 5.5%, P < 0.01) and human (25.8 ± 9.3%, P < 0.01). With EGFR blocked by Erlotinib, EpiSCs showed reduced phosphorylation of Akt (30.4 ± 10.6%, P < 0.01) and mTOR (39.8 ± 12.8%, P < 0.01), impaired proliferation and migration after incubated for 24 h and 36 h (P < 0.05), and higher levels of apoptosis (11.9 ± 1.7%, P < 0.05), and rats showed slower wound healing from d7 to d14 after wounding (P < 0.01). In addition to slower wound healing rates, aged rats also showed a decrease in the efficacy of EGF, partly due to the downregulated EGFR expression. By activating PI3K/Akt pathway, Tideglusib promoted the proliferation and migration of EpiSCs with apoptosis inhibited (P < 0.01) and accelerated wound healing in aged rats from d7 to d14 after wounding (P < 0.05). Notably, the combined use of Tideglusib and EGF could further enhance wound healing in aged rats. Conclusions The decreased expression of EGFR in epidermis with age resulted in decreased activity of the PI3K/Akt pathway and limited EGF efficacy. Tideglusib could assist wound healing in aged rats via activating PI3K/Akt pathway, which may be considered as an ingredient for medical and cosmetics use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiachen Sun
- Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, The Fourth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100048, China
| | - Hongqing Zhao
- Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, The Fourth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100048, China
| | - Chuan'an Shen
- Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, The Fourth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100048, China.
| | - Shiyi Li
- Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, The Fourth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100048, China
| | - Wen Zhang
- Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, The Fourth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100048, China
| | - Jinglong Ma
- Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, The Fourth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100048, China
| | - Zhisheng Li
- Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, The Fourth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100048, China
| | - Ming Zhang
- Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, The Fourth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100048, China
| | - Jianqiu Yang
- Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, The Fourth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100048, China
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13
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Ikkala K, Stratoulias V, Michon F. Unilateral zebrafish corneal injury induces bilateral cell plasticity supporting wound closure. Sci Rep 2022; 12:161. [PMID: 34997071 PMCID: PMC8741998 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-04086-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The cornea, transparent and outermost structure of camera-type eyes, is prone to environmental challenges, but has remarkable wound healing capabilities which enables to preserve vision. The manner in which cell plasticity impacts wound healing remains to be determined. In this study, we report rapid wound closure after zebrafish corneal epithelium abrasion. Furthermore, by investigating the cellular and molecular events taking place during corneal epithelial closure, we show the induction of a bilateral response to a unilateral wound. Our transcriptomic results, together with our TGF-beta receptor inhibition experiments, demonstrate conclusively the crucial role of TGF-beta signaling in corneal wound healing. Finally, our results on Pax6 expression and bilateral wound healing, demonstrate the decisive impact of epithelial cell plasticity on the pace of healing. Altogether, our study describes terminally differentiated cell competencies in the healing of an injured cornea. These findings will enhance the translation of research on cell plasticity to organ regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaisa Ikkala
- Institute of Biotechnology, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Vassilis Stratoulias
- Institute of Biotechnology, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Neuroscience Center, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Frederic Michon
- Institute of Biotechnology, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland. .,Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier, Univ Montpellier, INSERM, Montpellier, France.
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14
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Hamity MV, Kolker SJ, Hegarty DM, Blum C, Langmack L, Aicher SA, Hammond DL. Nicotinamide Riboside Alleviates Corneal and Somatic Hypersensitivity Induced by Paclitaxel in Male Rats. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2022; 63:38. [PMID: 35084430 PMCID: PMC8802023 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.63.1.38] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Patients receiving chemotherapy may experience ocular discomfort and dry eye-like symptoms; the latter may be neuropathic in nature. This study assessed corneal and somatic hypersensitivity in male rats treated with paclitaxel and whether it was relieved by nicotinamide riboside (NR). Methods Corneal sensitivity to tactile and chemical stimulation, basal tear production, and sensitivity of the hindpaw to tactile and cool stimuli were assessed before and after paclitaxel in the absence and presence of sustained treatment with 500 mg/kg per os NR. Corneal nerve density and hindpaw intraepidermal nerve fiber (IENF) density were also examined. Results Paclitaxel-treated rats developed corneal hypersensitivity to tactile stimuli, enhanced sensitivity to capsaicin but not hyperosmolar saline, and increased basal tear production. Corneal nerve density visualized with anti-β-tubulin or calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) was unaffected. Paclitaxel induced tactile and cool hypersensitivity of the hindpaw and a loss of nonpeptidergic hindpaw IENFs visualized with anti-protein gene product (PGP) 9.5 and CGRP. NR reversed tactile hypersensitivity of the cornea without suppressing tear production or chemosensitivity; it did not alter corneal afferent density. NR also reversed tactile and cool hypersensitivity of the hindpaw without reversing the loss of hindpaw IENFs. Conclusions These findings suggest that paclitaxel may be a good translational model for chemotherapy-induced ocular discomfort and that NR may be useful for its relief. The ability of NR to relieve somatic tactile hypersensitivity independent of changes in sensory nerve innervation suggests that reversal of terminal arbor degeneration is not critical to the actions of NR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta V. Hamity
- Department of Anesthesia, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States
| | - Sandra J. Kolker
- Department of Anesthesia, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States
| | - Deborah M. Hegarty
- Department of Chemical Physiology and Biochemistry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States
| | - Christopher Blum
- Department of Anesthesia, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States
| | - Lucy Langmack
- Department of Anesthesia, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States
| | - Sue A. Aicher
- Department of Chemical Physiology and Biochemistry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States
| | - Donna L. Hammond
- Department of Anesthesia, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States
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15
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Schröder HC, Wang X, Neufurth M, Wang S, Müller WEG. Biomimetic Polyphosphate Materials: Toward Application in Regenerative Medicine. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR AND SUBCELLULAR BIOLOGY 2022; 61:83-130. [PMID: 35697938 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-01237-2_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, inorganic polyphosphate (polyP) has attracted increasing attention as a biomedical polymer or biomaterial with a great potential for application in regenerative medicine, in particular in the fields of tissue engineering and repair. The interest in polyP is based on two properties of this physiological polymer that make polyP stand out from other polymers: polyP has morphogenetic activity by inducing cell differentiation through specific gene expression, and it functions as an energy store and donor of metabolic energy, especially in the extracellular matrix or in the extracellular space. No other biopolymer applicable in tissue regeneration/repair is known that is endowed with this combination of properties. In addition, polyP can be fabricated both in the form of a biologically active coacervate and as biomimetic amorphous polyP nano/microparticles, which are stable and are activated by transformation into the coacervate phase after contact with protein/body fluids. PolyP can be used in the form of various metal salts and in combination with various hydrogel-forming polymers, whereby (even printable) hybrid materials with defined porosities and mechanical and biological properties can be produced, which can even be loaded with cells for 3D cell printing or with drugs and support the growth and differentiation of (stem) cells as well as cell migration/microvascularization. Potential applications in therapy of bone, cartilage and eye disorders/injuries and wound healing are summarized and possible mechanisms are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heinz C Schröder
- ERC Advanced Investigator Group, Institute for Physiological Chemistry, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Xiaohong Wang
- ERC Advanced Investigator Group, Institute for Physiological Chemistry, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Meik Neufurth
- ERC Advanced Investigator Group, Institute for Physiological Chemistry, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Shunfeng Wang
- ERC Advanced Investigator Group, Institute for Physiological Chemistry, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Werner E G Müller
- ERC Advanced Investigator Group, Institute for Physiological Chemistry, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany.
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16
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Abstract
The corneal epithelium (CE) forms the outermost layer of the cornea. Despite its thickness of only 50 μm, the CE plays a key role as an initial barrier against any insults to the eye and contributes to the light refraction onto the retina required for clear vision. In the event of an injury, the cornea is equipped with many strategies contributing to competent wound healing, including angiogenic and immune privileges, and mechanotransduction. Various factors, including growth factors, keratin, cytokines, integrins, crystallins, basement membrane, and gap junction proteins are involved in CE wound healing and serve as markers in the healing process. Studies of CE wound healing are advancing rapidly in tandem with the rise of corneal bioengineering, which employs limbal epithelial stem cells as the primary source of cells utilizing various types of biomaterials as substrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norzana Abd Ghafar
- Pusat Perubatan Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 56000Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Nahdia Afiifah Abdul Jalil
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 56000Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Taty Anna Kamarudin
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 56000Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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17
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Song Z, Tsai CH, Mei H. Comparison of different methods to isolate mouse limbal epithelial cells. Exp Eye Res 2021; 212:108767. [PMID: 34534542 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2021.108767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Limbal stem cells (LSCs) are the stem cell reservoir for corneal epithelium. The protocol to isolate LSCs from human cornea has been examined and optimized. However, the isolation protocol has not been optimized for mouse cornea, which is crucial for the downstream cell analysis. Here we compared four different isolation methods evolved from the previous reports to obtain mouse limbal epithelial cells which are heterogeneous and contain LSCs in a single-cell suspension: (1) the dissected limbal rim was cut into pieces and digested by 10-cycle incubation in trypsin; (2) after the removal of corneal epithelium by a rotating bur, the remaining eyeball was incubated in dispase at 4 °C for overnight to obtain limbal epithelial sheet, followed by trypsin digestion into a single-cell suspension; (3) same as method 2 except that the incubation was in dispase at 37 °C for 2h and an additional collagenase incubation at 37 °C for 20 min; (4) same as method 3 except that the corneal epithelium was punctured by a 1.5 mm trephine instead of being removed by a rotating bur. Method 1 showed the lowest cell yield, the lowest percentage of single cells, and the lowest number of limbal epithelial stem/progenitor cells in the harvested cells among the four methods, thus not a recommended protocol. Method 2, 3, and 4 isolated a comparable number of K14+ and p63α-bright stem/progenitor cells per eye. The remaining eye globe after cell collection in the three methods showed a complete removal of limbal epithelium albeit different extent of corneal and limbal stromal digestion. Among the three methods, method 2 showed a higher cell viability than method 4; method 3 yielded the lowest cell number; method 4 led to the highest percentage of single cells in cell suspension. Results suggest that method 2, 3, and 4 are preferred methods to isolate heterogeneous-LSCs from mouse corneas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenwei Song
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA; School of Medicine, Hunan Normal University, 371 Tongzipo Road, Chang Sha, 410003, China.
| | - Chi-Hao Tsai
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
| | - Hua Mei
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA; Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
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18
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Correll MH, Crouzet E, Gain P, He Z, Udsen MS, Kiilgaard JF, de la Cour MD, Heegaard S, Thuret G. In Vivo Labeling and Tracking of Proliferating Corneal Endothelial Cells by 5-Ethynyl-2'-Deoxyuridine in Rabbits. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2021; 10:7. [PMID: 34478491 PMCID: PMC8419885 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.10.11.7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To develop a method to label proliferating corneal endothelial cells (ECs) in rabbits in vivo and track their migration over time. Methods We compared intraperitoneal (IP) and intracameral (IC) administration of 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) in two experiments: (1) six rabbits received IP or IC EdU. Blood and aqueous humor (AH) samples were incubated with HL-60 cells. Flow cytometry detected the EdU incorporation, representing the bioavailability of EdU. (2) In vivo EdU labeling was investigated in pulse-chase study: 48 rabbits received EdU IP or IC. The corneas were flat-mounted after 1, 2, 5, or 40 days and imaged using fluorescence microscopy. EdU+ and Ki67+ ECs were quantified and their distance from the peripheral endothelial edge was measured. Results EdU was bioavailable in the AH up to 4 hours after IC injection. No EdU was detected in the blood or the AH after IP injection. High quality EdU labeling of EC was obtained only after IC injection, achieving 2047 ± 702 labeled ECs. Proliferating ECs were located exclusively in the periphery within 1458 ± 146 µm from the endothelial edge. After 40 days, 1490 ± 397 label-retaining ECs (LRCs) were detected, reaching 2219 ± 141 µm from the edge, indicating that LRCs migrated centripetally. Conclusions IC EdU injection enables the labeling and tracking of proliferating ECs. LRCs seem to be involved in endothelial homeostasis, yet it remains to be investigated whether they represent endothelial progenitor cells. Translational Relevance EdU labeling in animal models can aid the search for progenitor cells and the development of cell therapy for corneal endothelial dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Emmanuel Crouzet
- Corneal Graft Biology, Engineering and Imaging Laboratory, Jean Monnet University, Faculty of Medicine, Saint-Etienne, France
| | - Philippe Gain
- Corneal Graft Biology, Engineering and Imaging Laboratory, Jean Monnet University, Faculty of Medicine, Saint-Etienne, France
| | - Zhiguo He
- Corneal Graft Biology, Engineering and Imaging Laboratory, Jean Monnet University, Faculty of Medicine, Saint-Etienne, France
| | - Maja Søberg Udsen
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | | | - Steffen Heegaard
- Department of Ophthalmology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Pathology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Gilles Thuret
- Corneal Graft Biology, Engineering and Imaging Laboratory, Jean Monnet University, Faculty of Medicine, Saint-Etienne, France.,Institut Universitaire de France, Paris
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19
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Zhong Z, Balayan A, Tian J, Xiang Y, Hwang HH, Wu X, Deng X, Schimelman J, Sun Y, Ma C, Santos AD, You S, Tang M, Yao E, Shi X, Steinmetz NF, Deng SX, Chen S. Bioprinting of dual ECM scaffolds encapsulating limbal stem/progenitor cells in active and quiescent statuses. Biofabrication 2021; 13:10.1088/1758-5090/ac1992. [PMID: 34330126 PMCID: PMC8716326 DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/ac1992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Limbal stem cell deficiency and corneal disorders are among the top global threats for human vision. Emerging therapies that integrate stem cell transplantation with engineered hydrogel scaffolds for biological and mechanical support are becoming a rising trend in the field. However, methods for high-throughput fabrication of hydrogel scaffolds, as well as knowledge of the interaction between limbal stem/progenitor cells (LSCs) and the surrounding extracellular matrix (ECM) are still much needed. Here, we employed digital light processing (DLP)-based bioprinting to fabricate hydrogel scaffolds encapsulating primary LSCs and studied the ECM-dependent LSC phenotypes. The DLP-based bioprinting with gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) or hyaluronic acid glycidyl methacrylate (HAGM) generated microscale hydrogel scaffolds that could support the viability of the encapsulated primary rabbit LSCs (rbLSCs) in culture. Immunocytochemistry and transcriptional analysis showed that the encapsulated rbLSCs remained active in GelMA-based scaffolds while exhibited quiescence in the HAGM-based scaffolds. The primary human LSCs encapsulated within bioprinted scaffolds showed consistent ECM-dependent active/quiescent statuses. Based on these results, we have developed a novel bioprinted dual ECM 'Yin-Yang' model encapsulating LSCs to support both active and quiescent statues. Our findings provide valuable insights towards stem cell therapies and regenerative medicine for corneal reconstruction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Zhong
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Alis Balayan
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Jing Tian
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Yi Xiang
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Henry H. Hwang
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Xiaokang Wu
- School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Xiaoqian Deng
- School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Jacob Schimelman
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Yazhi Sun
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Chao Ma
- Stein Eye Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Aurelie D. Santos
- Stein Eye Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Shangting You
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Min Tang
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Emmie Yao
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Xiaoao Shi
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Nicole F. Steinmetz
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Sophie X. Deng
- Stein Eye Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Shaochen Chen
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
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20
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Altshuler A, Amitai-Lange A, Tarazi N, Dey S, Strinkovsky L, Hadad-Porat S, Bhattacharya S, Nasser W, Imeri J, Ben-David G, Abboud-Jarrous G, Tiosano B, Berkowitz E, Karin N, Savir Y, Shalom-Feuerstein R. Discrete limbal epithelial stem cell populations mediate corneal homeostasis and wound healing. Cell Stem Cell 2021; 28:1248-1261.e8. [PMID: 33984282 PMCID: PMC8254798 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2021.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The accessibility and transparency of the cornea permit robust stem cell labeling and in vivo cell fate mapping. Limbal epithelial stem cells (LSCs) that renew the cornea are traditionally viewed as rare, slow-cycling cells that follow deterministic rules dictating their self-renewal or differentiation. Here, we combined single-cell RNA sequencing and advanced quantitative lineage tracing for in-depth analysis of the murine limbal epithelium. These analysis revealed the co-existence of two LSC populations localized in separate and well-defined sub-compartments, termed the "outer" and "inner" limbus. The primitive population of quiescent outer LSCs participates in wound healing and boundary formation, and these cells are regulated by T cells, which serve as a niche. In contrast, the inner peri-corneal limbus hosts active LSCs that maintain corneal epithelial homeostasis. Quantitative analyses suggest that LSC populations are abundant, following stochastic rules and neutral drift dynamics. Together these results demonstrate that discrete LSC populations mediate corneal homeostasis and regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Altshuler
- Department of Genetics & Developmental Biology, The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine & Research Institute, Technion Integrated Cancer Center, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Aya Amitai-Lange
- Department of Genetics & Developmental Biology, The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine & Research Institute, Technion Integrated Cancer Center, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Noam Tarazi
- Department of Genetics & Developmental Biology, The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine & Research Institute, Technion Integrated Cancer Center, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Sunanda Dey
- Department of Genetics & Developmental Biology, The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine & Research Institute, Technion Integrated Cancer Center, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Lior Strinkovsky
- Department of Physiology, Biophysics & Systems Biology, The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine & Research Institute, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Shira Hadad-Porat
- Department of Genetics & Developmental Biology, The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine & Research Institute, Technion Integrated Cancer Center, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Swarnabh Bhattacharya
- Department of Genetics & Developmental Biology, The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine & Research Institute, Technion Integrated Cancer Center, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Waseem Nasser
- Department of Genetics & Developmental Biology, The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine & Research Institute, Technion Integrated Cancer Center, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Jusuf Imeri
- Department of Genetics & Developmental Biology, The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine & Research Institute, Technion Integrated Cancer Center, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Gil Ben-David
- Department of Genetics & Developmental Biology, The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine & Research Institute, Technion Integrated Cancer Center, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Ghada Abboud-Jarrous
- Department of Immunology, The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine & Research Institute, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Beatrice Tiosano
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hillel Yaffe Medical Center, Hadera, Israel
| | - Eran Berkowitz
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hillel Yaffe Medical Center, Hadera, Israel
| | - Nathan Karin
- Department of Immunology, The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine & Research Institute, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Yonatan Savir
- Department of Physiology, Biophysics & Systems Biology, The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine & Research Institute, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel.
| | - Ruby Shalom-Feuerstein
- Department of Genetics & Developmental Biology, The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine & Research Institute, Technion Integrated Cancer Center, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel.
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21
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Adil MT, Henry JJ. Understanding cornea epithelial stem cells and stem cell deficiency: Lessons learned using vertebrate model systems. Genesis 2021; 59:e23411. [PMID: 33576188 DOI: 10.1002/dvg.23411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Animal models have contributed greatly to our understanding of human diseases. Here, we focus on cornea epithelial stem cell (CESC) deficiency (commonly called limbal stem cell deficiency, LSCD). Corneal development, homeostasis and wound healing are supported by specific stem cells, that include the CESCs. Damage to or loss of these cells results in blindness and other debilitating ocular conditions. Here we describe the contributions from several vertebrate models toward understanding CESCs and LSCD treatments. These include both mammalian models, as well as two aquatic models, Zebrafish and the amphibian, Xenopus. Pioneering developments have been made using stem cell transplants to restore normal vision in patients with LSCD, but questions still remain about the basic biology of CESCs, including their precise cell lineages and behavior in the cornea. We describe various cell lineage tracing studies to follow their patterns of division, and the fates of their progeny during development, homeostasis, and wound healing. In addition, we present some preliminary results using the Xenopus model system. Ultimately, a more thorough understanding of these cornea cells will advance our knowledge of stem cell biology and lead to better cornea disease therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohd Tayyab Adil
- Department of Cell & Developmental Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | - Jonathan J Henry
- Department of Cell & Developmental Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
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22
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Strinkovsky L, Havkin E, Shalom-Feuerstein R, Savir Y. Spatial correlations constrain cellular lifespan and pattern formation in corneal epithelium homeostasis. eLife 2021; 10:56404. [PMID: 33433326 PMCID: PMC7803374 DOI: 10.7554/elife.56404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Homeostasis in adult tissues relies on the replication dynamics of stem cells, their progenitors and the spatial balance between them. This spatial and kinetic coordination is crucial to the successful maintenance of tissue size and its replenishment with new cells. However, our understanding of the role of cellular replicative lifespan and spatial correlation between cells in shaping tissue integrity is still lacking. We developed a mathematical model for the stochastic spatial dynamics that underlie the rejuvenation of corneal epithelium. Our model takes into account different spatial correlations between cell replication and cell removal. We derive the tradeoffs between replicative lifespan, spatial correlation length, and tissue rejuvenation dynamics. We determine the conditions that allow homeostasis and are consistent with biological timescales, pattern formation, and mutants phenotypes. Our results can be extended to any cellular system in which spatial homeostasis is maintained through cell replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lior Strinkovsky
- Department of Physiology, Biophysics and System Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Haifa, Israel
| | - Evgeny Havkin
- Department of Physiology, Biophysics and System Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Haifa, Israel
| | - Ruby Shalom-Feuerstein
- Department of Genetics & Developmental Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Haifa, Israel.,The Rappaport Family Institute for Research in the Medical Sciences, Technion, Haifa, Israel
| | - Yonatan Savir
- Department of Physiology, Biophysics and System Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Haifa, Israel.,The Rappaport Family Institute for Research in the Medical Sciences, Technion, Haifa, Israel
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23
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Puri S, Sun M, Mutoji KN, Gesteira TF, Coulson-Thomas VJ. Epithelial Cell Migration and Proliferation Patterns During Initial Wound Closure in Normal Mice and an Experimental Model of Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2021; 61:27. [PMID: 32790859 PMCID: PMC7441334 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.61.10.27] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Establishing the dynamics of corneal wound healing is of vital importance to better understand corneal inflammation, pathology, and corneal regeneration. Numerous studies have made great strides in investigating multiple aspects of corneal wound healing; however, some aspects remain to be elucidated. This study worked toward establishing (1) if epithelial limbal stem cells (LSCs) are necessary for healing all corneal wounds, (2) the mechanism by which epithelial cells migrate toward the wound, and (3) if centrifugal epithelial cell movement exists. Methods To establish different aspects of corneal epithelial wound healing we subjected mice lacking hyaluronan synthase 2 (previously shown to lack LSCs) and wild-type mice to different corneal debridement injury models. Results Our data show that both LSCs and corneal epithelial cells contribute toward closure of corneal wounds. In wild-type mice, removal of the limbal rim delayed closure of 1.5-mm wounds, and not of 0.75-mm wounds, indicating that smaller wounds do not rely on LSCs as do larger wounds. In mice shown to lack LSCs, removal of the limbal rim did not affect wound healing, irrespective of the wound size. Finally, transient amplifying cells and central epithelial cells move toward a central corneal wound in a centripetal manner, whereas central epithelial cells may move in a centrifugal manner to resurface peripheral corneal wounds. Conclusions Our findings show the dimensions of the corneal wound dictate involvement of LSCs. Our data suggest that divergent findings by different groups on the dynamics of wound healing can be in part owing to differences in the wounding models used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudan Puri
- College of Optometry, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, United States
| | - Mingxia Sun
- College of Optometry, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, United States
| | - Kazadi N Mutoji
- College of Optometry, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, United States
| | - Tarsis F Gesteira
- College of Optometry, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, United States
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24
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Tseng SCG, Chen SY, Mead OG, Tighe S. Niche regulation of limbal epithelial stem cells: HC-HA/PTX3 as surrogate matrix niche. Exp Eye Res 2020; 199:108181. [PMID: 32795525 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2020.108181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Revised: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Homeostasis of the corneal epithelium is ultimately maintained by stem cells that reside in a specialized microenvironment within the corneal limbus termed palisades of Vogt. This limbal niche nourishes, protects, and regulates quiescence, self-renewal, and fate decision of limbal epithelial stem/progenitor cells (LEPCs) toward corneal epithelial differentiation. This review focuses on our current understanding of the mechanism by which limbal (stromal) niche cells (LNCs) regulate the aforementioned functions of LEPCs. Based on our discovery and characterization of a unique extracellular matrix termed HC-HA/PTX3 (Heavy chain (HC1)-hyaluronan (HA)/pentraxin 3 (PTX3) complex, "-" denotes covalent linkage; "/" denotes non-covalent binding) in the birth tissue, i.e., amniotic membrane and umbilical cord, we put forth a new paradigm that HC-HA/PTX3 serves as a surrogate matrix niche by maintaining the in vivo nuclear Pax6+ neural crest progenitor phenotype to support quiescence and self-renewal but prevent corneal fate decision of LEPCs. This new paradigm helps explain how limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) develops in aniridia due to Pax6-haplotype deficiency and further explains why transplantation of HC-HA/PTX3-containing amniotic membrane prevents LSCD in acute chemical burns and Stevens Johnson syndrome, augments the success of autologous LEPCs transplantation in patients suffering from partial or total LSCD, and assists ex vivo expansion (engineering) of a graft containing LEPCs. We thus envisage that this new paradigm based on regenerative matrix HC-HA/PTX3 as a surrogate niche can set a new standard for regenerative medicine in and beyond ophthalmology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scheffer C G Tseng
- Research & Development Department, TissueTech, Inc., Miami, FL, 33126, USA; Ocular Surface Center and Ocular Surface Research & Education Foundation, Miami, FL, 33126, USA.
| | - Szu-Yu Chen
- Research & Development Department, TissueTech, Inc., Miami, FL, 33126, USA
| | - Olivia G Mead
- Research & Development Department, TissueTech, Inc., Miami, FL, 33126, USA
| | - Sean Tighe
- Research & Development Department, TissueTech, Inc., Miami, FL, 33126, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33136, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL, 33199, USA
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25
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Guo ZH, Zeng YM, Lin JS. Dynamic spatiotemporal expression pattern of limbal stem cell putative biomarkers during mouse development. Exp Eye Res 2020; 192:107915. [PMID: 31911164 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2020.107915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2019] [Revised: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 01/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Limbal stem cells (LSCs), a subpopulation of limbal epithelial basal cells, are crucial to the homeostasis and wound healing of corneal epithelium. The identification and isolation of LSCs remains a challenge due to lack of specific LSCs biomarkers. In this study, Haematoxylin-eosin (HE), 4', 6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI), and immunohistochemistry (IHC) stains were performed on the pre- and post-natal limbus tissues of mice which has the advantage of more controllable in term of sampling age relative to human origin. By morphological analysis, we supported that there is an absence of the Palisades of Vogt (POV) in the mouse. The development of prenatal and neonatal cornea was dominated by its stroma, whereas after eyelids opened at P14, the corneal epithelial cells (CECs) quickly go stratification in response to the liquid-air interface. Based on IHC staining, we found that the expression of LSCs putative biomarkers in limbal epithelial basal cells appeared in chronological order as follows: Vim = p63 > CK14 > CK15 (where = represents same time; > represents earlier), and in corneal epithelial basal cells were weakened in chronological order as follows: Vim > p63 > CK15 > CK14, which might also represent the stemness degree. Furthermore, the dynamic spatial expression of the examined LSCs putative biomarkers during mouse development also implied a temporal restriction. The expression of Vim in epithelial cells of mouse ocular surface occurred during E12-E19 only. The expression of CK15 was completely undetectable in CECs after P14, whereas the others putative molecular markers of LSCs, such as p63 and CK14, still remained weak expression, suggesting that CK15 was suitable to serve as the mouse LSCs biomarkers after P14. In this study, our data demonstrated the dynamic spatiotemporal expression pattern of LSCs putative biomarkers in mouse was age-related and revealed the time spectrum of the expression of LSCs in mouse, which adds in our knowledge by understanding the dynamic expression pattern of biomarkers of stem cells relate to maintenance of their stemness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Hou Guo
- School of Medicine, Huaqiao University, Quanzhou, 362021, Fujian, China; Stem Cell Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, 362000, China.
| | - Yi Ming Zeng
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, China.
| | - Jun Sheng Lin
- School of Medicine, Huaqiao University, Quanzhou, 362021, Fujian, China.
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26
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Adil MT, Simons CM, Sonam S, Henry JJ. Understanding cornea homeostasis and wound healing using a novel model of stem cell deficiency in Xenopus. Exp Eye Res 2019; 187:107767. [PMID: 31437439 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2019.107767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2019] [Revised: 07/25/2019] [Accepted: 08/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency (LSCD) is a painful and debilitating disease that results from damage or loss of the Corneal Epithelial Stem Cells (CESCs). Therapies have been developed to treat LSCD by utilizing epithelial stem cell transplants. However, effective repair and recovery depends on many factors, such as the source and concentration of donor stem cells, and the proper conditions to support these transplanted cells. We do not yet fully understand how CESCs heal wounds or how transplanted CESCs are able to restore transparency in LSCD patients. A major hurdle has been the lack of vertebrate models to study CESCs. Here we utilized a short treatment with Psoralen AMT (a DNA cross-linker), immediately followed by UV treatment (PUV treatment), to establish a novel frog model that recapitulates the characteristics of cornea stem cell deficiency, such as pigment cell invasion from the periphery, corneal opacity, and neovascularization. These PUV treated whole corneas do not regain transparency. Moreover, PUV treatment leads to appearance of the Tcf7l2 labeled subset of apical skin cells in the cornea region. PUV treatment also results in increased cell death, immediately following treatment, with pyknosis as a primary mechanism. Furthermore, we show that PUV treatment causes depletion of p63 expressing basal epithelial cells, and can stimulate mitosis in the remaining cells in the cornea region. To study the response of CESCs, we created localized PUV damage by focusing the UV radiation on one half of the cornea. These cases initially develop localized stem cell deficiency characteristics on the treated side. The localized PUV treatment is also capable of stimulating some mitosis in the untreated (control) half of those corneas. Unlike the whole treated corneas, the treated half is ultimately able to recover and corneal transparency is restored. Our study provides insight into the response of cornea cells following stem cell depletion, and establishes Xenopus as a suitable model for studying CESCs, stem cell deficiency, and other cornea diseases. This model will also be valuable for understanding the nature of transplanted CESCs, which will lead to progress in the development of therapeutics for LSCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohd Tayyab Adil
- Department of Cell & Developmental Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 601 S. Goodwin Ave. Urbana, IL, 61801, USA.
| | - Claire M Simons
- Department of Cell & Developmental Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 601 S. Goodwin Ave. Urbana, IL, 61801, USA.
| | - Surabhi Sonam
- Department of Cell & Developmental Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 601 S. Goodwin Ave. Urbana, IL, 61801, USA.
| | - Jonathan J Henry
- Department of Cell & Developmental Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 601 S. Goodwin Ave. Urbana, IL, 61801, USA.
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27
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Kuony A, Ikkala K, Kalha S, Magalhães AC, Pirttiniemi A, Michon F. Ectodysplasin-A signaling is a key integrator in the lacrimal gland-cornea feedback loop. Development 2019; 146:dev.176693. [PMID: 31221639 DOI: 10.1242/dev.176693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
A lack of ectodysplasin-A (Eda) signaling leads to dry eye symptoms, which have so far only been associated with altered Meibomian glands. Here, we used loss-of-function (Eda -/-) mutant mice to unravel the impact of Eda signaling on lacrimal gland formation, maturation and subsequent physiological function. Our study demonstrates that Eda activity is dispensable during lacrimal gland embryonic development. However, using a transcriptomic approach, we show that the Eda pathway is necessary for proper cell terminal differentiation in lacrimal gland epithelium and correlated with modified expression of secreted factors commonly found in the tear film. Finally, we discovered that lacrimal glands present a bilateral reduction of Eda signaling activity in response to unilateral corneal injury. This observation hints towards a role for the Eda pathway in controlling the switch from basal to reflex tears, to support corneal wound healing. Collectively, our data suggest a crucial implication of Eda signaling in the cornea-lacrimal gland feedback loop, both in physiological and pathophysiological conditions. Our findings demonstrate that Eda downstream targets could help alleviate dry eye symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison Kuony
- Institute of Biotechnology, Helsinki Institute of Life Science, Developmental Biology Program, University of Helsinki, 00790 Helsinki, Finland.,Institut Jacques Monod, Université Denis Diderot - Paris 7, CNRS UMR 7592, Buffon building, 15 rue Hélène Brion, 75205 Paris Cedex 13, France
| | - Kaisa Ikkala
- Institute of Biotechnology, Helsinki Institute of Life Science, Developmental Biology Program, University of Helsinki, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Solja Kalha
- Institute of Biotechnology, Helsinki Institute of Life Science, Developmental Biology Program, University of Helsinki, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ana Cathia Magalhães
- Institute of Biotechnology, Helsinki Institute of Life Science, Developmental Biology Program, University of Helsinki, 00790 Helsinki, Finland.,Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier, INSERM UMR1051, University of Montpellier, 34295 Montpellier, France
| | - Anniina Pirttiniemi
- Institute of Biotechnology, Helsinki Institute of Life Science, Developmental Biology Program, University of Helsinki, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Frederic Michon
- Institute of Biotechnology, Helsinki Institute of Life Science, Developmental Biology Program, University of Helsinki, 00790 Helsinki, Finland .,Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier, INSERM UMR1051, University of Montpellier, 34295 Montpellier, France
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28
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Fiorica C, Tomasello L, Palumbo FS, Coppola A, Pitarresi G, Pizzolanti G, Giordano C, Giammona G. Production of a Double-Layer Scaffold for the "On-Demand" Release of Fibroblast-like Limbal Stem Cells. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2019; 11:22206-22217. [PMID: 31144805 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.9b06757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The production and characterization of a double-layer scaffold, to be used as a system for the "on-demand" release of corneal limbal stem cells, are reported here. The devices used in the clinics and proposed so far in the scientific literature, for the release of corneal stem cells in the treatment of limbal stem cell deficiency, cannot control the in vivo space-time release of cells as the biomaterial of which they are composed is devoid of the stimuli-responsive feature. Our approach was to produce a scaffold composed of two different polymeric layers that give the device the appropriate mechanical properties to be placed on the ocular surface and the possibility of releasing the stem cells following a noninvasive and cell-friendly treatment. This device consists of an electrospun microfibrillar scaffold of poly-l-lactic acid coated by a polymeric film based on an amphiphilic derivative of hyaluronic acid sensitive to the ionic strength of the external medium and to the presence of a complexing agent. The latter represents the "sacrificial" cell containing layer of the scaffold that can be dissolved "on demand" by the treatment with a solution of cyclodextrins. The rapid removal of the external polymeric film from the device is exploited to control the space-time release of the cells. In vitro and ex vivo experiments showed that fibroblast-like limbal stem cells cultured on the scaffold without the use of the feeder layer maintained their characteristics of stem cells and can be released "on demand" on the culture well coated with Matrigel or on the decellularized bovine cornea, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Calogero Fiorica
- Department of "Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche" (STEBICEF) , University of Palermo , Via Archirafi 32 , 90123 Palermo , Italy
| | - Laura Tomasello
- Department of "Promozione Della Salute Materno Infantile, di Medicina Interna e Specialistica di Eccellenza" "G. D'Alessandro" (ProMise) , University of Palermo , Piazza Delle Cliniche 2 , 90127 Palermo , Italy
| | - Fabio S Palumbo
- Department of "Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche" (STEBICEF) , University of Palermo , Via Archirafi 32 , 90123 Palermo , Italy
| | - Antonina Coppola
- Department of "Promozione Della Salute Materno Infantile, di Medicina Interna e Specialistica di Eccellenza" "G. D'Alessandro" (ProMise) , University of Palermo , Piazza Delle Cliniche 2 , 90127 Palermo , Italy
| | - Giovanna Pitarresi
- Department of "Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche" (STEBICEF) , University of Palermo , Via Archirafi 32 , 90123 Palermo , Italy
| | - Giuseppe Pizzolanti
- Department of "Promozione Della Salute Materno Infantile, di Medicina Interna e Specialistica di Eccellenza" "G. D'Alessandro" (ProMise) , University of Palermo , Piazza Delle Cliniche 2 , 90127 Palermo , Italy
| | - Carla Giordano
- Department of "Promozione Della Salute Materno Infantile, di Medicina Interna e Specialistica di Eccellenza" "G. D'Alessandro" (ProMise) , University of Palermo , Piazza Delle Cliniche 2 , 90127 Palermo , Italy
| | - Gaetano Giammona
- Department of "Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche" (STEBICEF) , University of Palermo , Via Archirafi 32 , 90123 Palermo , Italy
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29
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Wang X, Gericke A, Ackermann M, Wang S, Neufurth M, Schröder HC, Pfeiffer N, Müller WEG. Polyphosphate, the physiological metabolic fuel for corneal cells: a potential biomaterial for ocular surface repair. Biomater Sci 2019; 7:5506-5515. [DOI: 10.1039/c9bm01289c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Polyphosphate, a natural inorganic polymer that acts as a reservoir for metabolic fuel (ATP), increases the proliferation and migration potency of epithelial cells, covering the avascular cornea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohong Wang
- ERC Advanced Investigator Grant Research Group at the Institute for Physiological Chemistry
- University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University
- 55128 Mainz
- Germany
| | - Adrian Gericke
- Department of Ophthalmology
- University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz
- 55131 Mainz
- Germany
| | - Maximilian Ackermann
- Institute of Functional and Clinical Anatomy
- University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University
- 55099 Mainz
- Germany
| | - Shunfeng Wang
- ERC Advanced Investigator Grant Research Group at the Institute for Physiological Chemistry
- University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University
- 55128 Mainz
- Germany
| | - Meik Neufurth
- ERC Advanced Investigator Grant Research Group at the Institute for Physiological Chemistry
- University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University
- 55128 Mainz
- Germany
| | - Heinz C. Schröder
- ERC Advanced Investigator Grant Research Group at the Institute for Physiological Chemistry
- University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University
- 55128 Mainz
- Germany
| | - Norbert Pfeiffer
- Department of Ophthalmology
- University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz
- 55131 Mainz
- Germany
| | - Werner E. G. Müller
- ERC Advanced Investigator Grant Research Group at the Institute for Physiological Chemistry
- University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University
- 55128 Mainz
- Germany
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