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Thomasy SM, Leonard BC, Greiner MA, Skeie JM, Raghunathan VK. Squishy matters - Corneal mechanobiology in health and disease. Prog Retin Eye Res 2024; 99:101234. [PMID: 38176611 PMCID: PMC11193890 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2023.101234] [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: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
The cornea, as a dynamic and responsive tissue, constantly interacts with mechanical forces in order to maintain its structural integrity, barrier function, transparency and refractive power. Cells within the cornea sense and respond to various mechanical forces that fundamentally regulate their morphology and fate in development, homeostasis and pathophysiology. Corneal cells also dynamically regulate their extracellular matrix (ECM) with ensuing cell-ECM crosstalk as the matrix serves as a dynamic signaling reservoir providing biophysical and biochemical cues to corneal cells. Here we provide an overview of mechanotransduction signaling pathways then delve into the recent advances in corneal mechanobiology, focusing on the interplay between mechanical forces and responses of the corneal epithelial, stromal, and endothelial cells. We also identify species-specific differences in corneal biomechanics and mechanotransduction to facilitate identification of optimal animal models to study corneal wound healing, disease, and novel therapeutic interventions. Finally, we identify key knowledge gaps and therapeutic opportunities in corneal mechanobiology that are pressing for the research community to address especially pertinent within the domains of limbal stem cell deficiency, keratoconus and Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy. By furthering our understanding corneal mechanobiology, we can contextualize discoveries regarding corneal diseases as well as innovative treatments for them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara M Thomasy
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California - Davis, Davis, CA, United States; Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science, School of Medicine, University of California - Davis, Davis, CA, United States; California National Primate Research Center, Davis, CA, United States.
| | - Brian C Leonard
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California - Davis, Davis, CA, United States; Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science, School of Medicine, University of California - Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Mark A Greiner
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States; Iowa Lions Eye Bank, Coralville, IA, United States
| | - Jessica M Skeie
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States; Iowa Lions Eye Bank, Coralville, IA, United States
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Wang W, Yang T, Chen S, Liang L, Wang Y, Ding Y, Xiong W, Ye X, Guo Y, Shen S, Chen H, Chen J. Tissue engineering RPE sheet derived from hiPSC-RPE cell spheroids supplemented with Y-27632 and RepSox. J Biol Eng 2024; 18:7. [PMID: 38229139 DOI: 10.1186/s13036-024-00405-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cell therapy is a promising way to treat many retinal diseases. However, obtaining transplantable RPE cells is time-consuming and less effective. This study aimed to develop novel strategies for generating engineered RPE patches with physiological characteristics. RESULTS Our findings revealed that RPE cells derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) successfully self-assembled into spheroids. The RPE spheroids treated with Y27632 and Repsox had increased expression of epithelial markers and RPE-specific genes, along with improved cell viability and barrier function. Transcriptome analysis indicated enhanced cell adhesion and extracellular matrix (ECM) organization in RPE spheroids. These RPE spheroids could be seeded and bioprinted on collagen vitrigel (CV) membranes to construct engineered RPE sheets. Circular RPE patches, obtained by trephining a specific section of the RPE sheet, exhibited abundant microvilli and pigment particles, as well as reduced proliferative capacity and enhanced maturation. CONCLUSIONS Our study suggests that the supplementation of small molecules and 3D spheroid culture, as well as the bioprinting technique, can be effective methods to promote RPE cultivation and construct engineered RPE sheets, which may support future clinical RPE cell therapy and the development of RPE models for research applications.
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Grants
- NSFC-RGC, 32061160469, N_CUHK432/20 National Natural Science Foundation of China
- NSFC-RGC, 32061160469, N_CUHK432/20 National Natural Science Foundation of China
- NSFC-RGC, 32061160469, N_CUHK432/20 National Natural Science Foundation of China
- NSFC-RGC, 32061160469, N_CUHK432/20 National Natural Science Foundation of China
- NSFC-RGC, 32061160469, N_CUHK432/20 National Natural Science Foundation of China
- NSFC-RGC, 32061160469, N_CUHK432/20 National Natural Science Foundation of China
- NSFC-RGC, 32061160469, N_CUHK432/20 National Natural Science Foundation of China
- NSFC-RGC, 32061160469, N_CUHK432/20 National Natural Science Foundation of China
- NSFC-RGC, 32061160469, N_CUHK432/20 National Natural Science Foundation of China
- NSFC-RGC, 32061160469, N_CUHK432/20 National Natural Science Foundation of China
- NSFC-RGC, 32061160469, N_CUHK432/20 National Natural Science Foundation of China
- NSFC-RGC, 32061160469, N_CUHK432/20 National Natural Science Foundation of China
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenxuan Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Ophthalmology, Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tingting Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Ophthalmology, Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Sihui Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Ophthalmology, Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Liying Liang
- Institute of Ophthalmology, Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yingxin Wang
- Institute of Ophthalmology, Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yin Ding
- The University of Hong Kong - Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Wei Xiong
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine, Ministry of Education, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiuhong Ye
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Ophthalmology, Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yonglong Guo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shuhao Shen
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Ophthalmology, Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hang Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Ophthalmology, Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiansu Chen
- Institute of Ophthalmology, Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine, Ministry of Education, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.
- Aier Eye Institute, Changsha, Hunan, China.
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