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Zou D, Wang T, Li W, Wang X, Ma B, Hu X, Zhou Q, Li Z, Shi W, Duan H. Nicotinamide promotes the differentiation of functional corneal endothelial cells from human embryonic stem cells. Exp Eye Res 2024; 242:109883. [PMID: 38561106 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2024.109883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Corneal transplantation represents the primary therapeutic approach for managing corneal endothelial dysfunction, but corneal donors remain scarce. Anterior chamber cell injection emerges as a highly promising alternative strategy for corneal transplantation, with pluripotent stem cells (PSC) demonstrating considerable potential as an optimal cell source. Nevertheless, only a few studies have explored the differentiation of functional corneal endothelial-like cells originating from PSC. In this investigation, a chemical-defined protocol was successfully developed for the differentiation of functional corneal endothelial-like cells derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESC). The application of nicotinamide (NAM) exhibited a remarkable capability in suppressing the fibrotic phenotype, leading to the generation of more homogeneous and well-distinctive differentiated cells. Furthermore, NAM effectively suppressed the expression of genes implicated in endothelial cell migration and extracellular matrix synthesis. Notably, NAM also facilitated the upregulation of surface marker genes specific to functional corneal endothelial cells (CEC), including CD26 (-) CD44 (-∼+-) CD105 (-) CD133 (-) CD166 (+) CD200 (-). Moreover, in vitro functional assays were performed, revealing intact barrier properties and Na+/K+-ATP pump functionality in the differentiated cells treated with NAM. Consequently, our findings provide robust evidence supporting the capacity of NAM to enhance the differentiation of functional CEC originating from hESC, offering potential seed cells for therapeutic interventions of corneal endothelial dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dulei Zou
- Department of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China; Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Qingdao, 266071, China; Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Eye Hospital), Jinan, 250000, China; School of Ophthalmology, Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Jinan, 250000, China
| | - Ting Wang
- Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Qingdao, 266071, China; Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Eye Hospital), Jinan, 250000, China; School of Ophthalmology, Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Jinan, 250000, China
| | - Wenjing Li
- Qingdao Sino-Cell Biomed Co., Ltd., Qingdao, 266000, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Qingdao, 266071, China; Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Eye Hospital), Jinan, 250000, China; School of Ophthalmology, Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Jinan, 250000, China
| | - Bochao Ma
- Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100070, China
| | - Xiangyue Hu
- Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Qingdao, 266071, China; School of Ophthalmology, Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Jinan, 250000, China
| | - Qingjun Zhou
- Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Qingdao, 266071, China; School of Ophthalmology, Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Jinan, 250000, China
| | - Zongyi Li
- Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Qingdao, 266071, China; School of Ophthalmology, Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Jinan, 250000, China
| | - Weiyun Shi
- Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Qingdao, 266071, China; Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Eye Hospital), Jinan, 250000, China; School of Ophthalmology, Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Jinan, 250000, China
| | - Haoyun Duan
- Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Qingdao, 266071, China; School of Ophthalmology, Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Jinan, 250000, China.
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Shimmura S, Inagaki E, Hirayama M, Hatou S. The Cornea: An Ideal Tissue for Regenerative Medicine. Keio J Med 2024; 73:1-7. [PMID: 38369325 DOI: 10.2302/kjm.2023-0001-ir] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Regenerative medicine is a highly anticipated field with hopes to provide cures for previously uncurable diseases such as spinal cord injuries and retinal blindness. Most regenerative medical products use either autologous or allogeneic stem cells, which may or may not be genetically modified. The introduction of induced-pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) has fueled research in the field, and several iPSC-derived cells/tissues are currently undergoing clinical trials. The cornea is one of the pioneering areas of regenerative medicine, and already four cell therapy products are approved for clinical use in Japan. There is one other government-approved cell therapy product approved in Europe, but none are approved in the USA at present. The cornea is transparent and avascular, making it unique as a target for stem cell therapy. This review discusses the unique properties of the cornea and ongoing research in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shigeto Shimmura
- Department of Clinical Regenerative Medicine, Fujita Medical Innovation Center, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Emi Inagaki
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masatoshi Hirayama
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shin Hatou
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Cellusion Inc., Tokyo, Japan
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Grönroos P, Mörö A, Puistola P, Hopia K, Huuskonen M, Viheriälä T, Ilmarinen T, Skottman H. Bioprinting of human pluripotent stem cell derived corneal endothelial cells with hydrazone crosslinked hyaluronic acid bioink. Stem Cell Res Ther 2024; 15:81. [PMID: 38486306 PMCID: PMC10941625 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-024-03672-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human corneal endothelial cells lack regenerative capacity through cell division in vivo. Consequently, in the case of trauma or dystrophy, the only available treatment modality is corneal tissue or primary corneal endothelial cell transplantation from cadaveric donor which faces a high global shortage. Our ultimate goal is to use the state-of-the-art 3D-bioprint technology for automated production of human partial and full-thickness corneal tissues using human stem cells and functional bioinks. In this study, we explore the feasibility of bioprinting the corneal endothelium using human pluripotent stem cell derived corneal endothelial cells and hydrazone crosslinked hyaluronic acid bioink. METHODS Corneal endothelial cells differentiated from human pluripotent stem cells were bioprinted using optimized hydrazone crosslinked hyaluronic acid based bioink. Before the bioprinting process, the biocompatibility of the bioink with cells was first analyzed with transplantation on ex vivo denuded rat and porcine corneas as well as on denuded human Descemet membrane. Subsequently, the bioprinting was proceeded and the viability of human pluripotent stem cell derived corneal endothelial cells were verified with live/dead stainings. Histological and immunofluorescence stainings involving ZO1, Na+/K+-ATPase and CD166 were used to confirm corneal endothelial cell phenotype in all experiments. Additionally, STEM121 marker was used to identify human cells from the ex vivo rat and porcine corneas. RESULTS The bioink, modified for human pluripotent stem cell derived corneal endothelial cells successfully supported both the viability and printability of the cells. Following up to 10 days of ex vivo transplantations, STEM121 positive cells were confirmed on the Descemet membrane of rat and porcine cornea demonstrating the biocompatibility of the bioink. Furthermore, biocompatibility was validated on denuded human Descemet membrane showing corneal endothelial -like characteristics. Seven days post bioprinting, the corneal endothelial -like cells were viable and showed polygonal morphology with expression and native-like localization of ZO-1, Na+/K+-ATPase and CD166. However, mesenchymal-like cells were observed in certain areas of the cultures, spreading beneath the corneal endothelial-like cell layer. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate the successful printing of human pluripotent stem cell derived corneal endothelial cells using covalently crosslinked hyaluronic acid bioink. This approach not only holds promise for a corneal endothelium transplants but also presents potential applications in the broader mission of bioprinting the full-thickness human cornea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pyry Grönroos
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Arvo Ylpön Katu 34, 33520, Tampere, Finland
| | - Anni Mörö
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Arvo Ylpön Katu 34, 33520, Tampere, Finland
| | - Paula Puistola
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Arvo Ylpön Katu 34, 33520, Tampere, Finland
| | - Karoliina Hopia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Arvo Ylpön Katu 34, 33520, Tampere, Finland
| | - Maija Huuskonen
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Arvo Ylpön Katu 34, 33520, Tampere, Finland
- Tays Eye Centre, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
| | - Taina Viheriälä
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Arvo Ylpön Katu 34, 33520, Tampere, Finland
| | - Tanja Ilmarinen
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Arvo Ylpön Katu 34, 33520, Tampere, Finland
| | - Heli Skottman
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Arvo Ylpön Katu 34, 33520, Tampere, Finland.
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Lu Z, Lin H, Li J, Feng Y. Deciphering the molecular symphony: Unraveling endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition in corneal endothelial cells. Exp Eye Res 2024; 240:109795. [PMID: 38253308 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2024.109795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Understanding the molecular complexity of this phenomenon provides innovative targets for maintaining phenotypic integrity during in vitro expansion, thereby advancing corneal endothelial tissue engineering. In this study, we established an in vitro model to simulate endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) in corneal endothelial cells. Through RNA sequencing, we identified 452 upregulated and 163 downregulated genes, resulting in a total of 615 differentially expressed genes. Key pathways enriched by GO and KEGG analysis include extracellular matrix (ECM) regulation and the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. Potential hub proteins such as THBS1, ITGA5, COL1A1, and SNAI1/2 were also identified, and their dynamic changes at different time points (0, 2, 12, 24 h) were monitored. Uncovering these key pathways and genes may deepen our understanding of the mechanisms underlying EndMT in corneal endothelial cells, providing valuable insights for optimizing in vitro cultivation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoxiang Lu
- Institute of Medical Technology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China; Department of Ophthalmology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Restoration of Damaged Ocular Nerve, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Haimiao Lin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Restoration of Damaged Ocular Nerve, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jinming Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Restoration of Damaged Ocular Nerve, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yun Feng
- Institute of Medical Technology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China; Department of Ophthalmology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Restoration of Damaged Ocular Nerve, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.
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Sasseville S, Karami S, Tchatchouang A, Charpentier P, Anney P, Gobert D, Proulx S. Biomaterials used for tissue engineering of barrier-forming cell monolayers in the eye. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1269385. [PMID: 37840667 PMCID: PMC10569698 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1269385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell monolayers that form a barrier between two structures play an important role for the maintenance of tissue functionality. In the anterior portion of the eye, the corneal endothelium forms a barrier that controls fluid exchange between the aqueous humor of the anterior chamber and the corneal stroma. This monolayer is central in the pathogenesis of Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD). FECD is a common corneal disease, in which corneal endothelial cells deposit extracellular matrix that increases the thickness of its basal membrane (Descemet's membrane), and forms excrescences (guttae). With time, there is a decrease in endothelial cell density that generates vision loss. Transplantation of a monolayer of healthy corneal endothelial cells on a Descemet membrane substitute could become an interesting alternative for the treatment of this pathology. In the back of the eye, the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) forms the blood-retinal barrier, controlling fluid exchange between the choriocapillaris and the photoreceptors of the outer retina. In the retinal disease dry age-related macular degeneration (dry AMD), deposits (drusen) form between the RPE and its basal membrane (Bruch's membrane). These deposits hinder fluid exchange, resulting in progressive RPE cell death, which in turn generates photoreceptor cell death, and vision loss. Transplantation of a RPE monolayer on a Bruch's membrane/choroidal stromal substitute to replace the RPE before photoreceptor cell death could become a treatment alternative for this eye disease. This review will present the different biomaterials that are proposed for the engineering of a monolayer of corneal endothelium for the treatment of FECD, and a RPE monolayer for the treatment of dry AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Sasseville
- Axe Médecine Régénératrice, Hôpital du Saint-Sacrement, Centre de Recherche en Organogénèse Expérimentale de l’Université Laval/LOEX; Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Québec-Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
- Département d’ophtalmologie et d’oto-rhino-laryngologie-chirurgie cervico-faciale, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Samira Karami
- Axe Médecine Régénératrice, Hôpital du Saint-Sacrement, Centre de Recherche en Organogénèse Expérimentale de l’Université Laval/LOEX; Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Québec-Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
- Département d’ophtalmologie et d’oto-rhino-laryngologie-chirurgie cervico-faciale, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Ange Tchatchouang
- Axe Médecine Régénératrice, Hôpital du Saint-Sacrement, Centre de Recherche en Organogénèse Expérimentale de l’Université Laval/LOEX; Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Québec-Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
- Département d’ophtalmologie et d’oto-rhino-laryngologie-chirurgie cervico-faciale, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Pascale Charpentier
- Axe Médecine Régénératrice, Hôpital du Saint-Sacrement, Centre de Recherche en Organogénèse Expérimentale de l’Université Laval/LOEX; Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Québec-Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
- Département d’ophtalmologie et d’oto-rhino-laryngologie-chirurgie cervico-faciale, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Princia Anney
- Axe Médecine Régénératrice, Hôpital du Saint-Sacrement, Centre de Recherche en Organogénèse Expérimentale de l’Université Laval/LOEX; Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Québec-Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
- Département d’ophtalmologie et d’oto-rhino-laryngologie-chirurgie cervico-faciale, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Delphine Gobert
- Département d’ophtalmologie et d’oto-rhino-laryngologie-chirurgie cervico-faciale, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
- Centre universitaire d’ophtalmologie (CUO), Hôpital du Saint-Sacrement, CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Stéphanie Proulx
- Axe Médecine Régénératrice, Hôpital du Saint-Sacrement, Centre de Recherche en Organogénèse Expérimentale de l’Université Laval/LOEX; Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Québec-Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
- Département d’ophtalmologie et d’oto-rhino-laryngologie-chirurgie cervico-faciale, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
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Rodrigues CR, Moga S, Singh B, Aulakh GK. CD34 Protein: Its expression and function in inflammation. Cell Tissue Res 2023; 393:443-454. [PMID: 37450038 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-023-03811-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
CD34 has spear-headed the field of basic research and clinical transplantation since the first reports of its expression on hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Expressed in mice, humans, rats and other species, CD34 has been used for more than 40 years as a hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell marker. It was later found that muscle satellite cells and epidermal precursors can also be identified with the aid of CD34. Despite the usefulness of CD34 as a marker of HSCs, its overall purpose in animal physiology has remained unclear. This review recaptures CD34 structure, evolutionary conservation, proposed functions, and role in lung inflammation, to describe current research findings and to provide guidance for future studies on CD34.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Rego Rodrigues
- Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, 52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK, S7N5B4, Canada
| | - Sahib Moga
- Faculty of Science, The University of Ottawa, 75 Laurier Ave. E, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Baljit Singh
- Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, 52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK, S7N5B4, Canada
| | - Gurpreet Kaur Aulakh
- Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, 52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK, S7N5B4, Canada.
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Dong C, Zou D, Duan H, Hu X, Zhou Q, Shi W, Li Z. Ex vivo cultivated retinal pigment epithelial cell transplantation for the treatment of rabbit corneal endothelial dysfunction. EYE AND VISION (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2023; 10:34. [PMID: 37528478 PMCID: PMC10394777 DOI: 10.1186/s40662-023-00351-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Stem cell therapy is a promising strategy for the treatment of corneal endothelial dysfunction, and the need to find functional alternative seed cells of corneal endothelial cells (CECs) is urgent. Here, we determined the feasibility of using the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) as an equivalent substitute for the treatment of corneal endothelial dysfunction. METHODS RPE cells and CECs in situ were obtained from healthy New Zealand male rabbits, and the similarities and differences between them were analyzed by electron microscopy, immunofluorescent staining, and quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Rabbit primary RPE cells and CECs were isolated and cultivated ex vivo, and Na+/K+-ATPase activity and cellular permeability were detected at passage 2. The injection of cultivated rabbit primary RPE cells, CECs and human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived RPE cells was performed on rabbits with corneal endothelial dysfunction. Then, the therapeutic effects were evaluated by corneal transparency, central corneal thickness, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), qRT-PCR and immunofluorescent staining. RESULTS The rabbit RPE cells were similar in form to CECs in situ and ex vivo, showing a larger regular hexagonal shape and a lower cell density, with numerous tightly formed cell junctions and hemidesmosomes. Moreover, RPE cells presented a stronger barrier and ionic pumping capacity than CECs. When intracamerally injected into the rabbits, the transplanted primary RPE cells could dissolve corneal edema and decrease corneal thickness, with effects similar to those of CECs. In addition, the transplantation of hESC-derived RPE cells exhibited a similar therapeutic effect and restored corneal transparency and thickness within seven days. qRT-PCR results showed that the expressions of CEC markers, like CD200 and S100A4, increased, and the RPE markers OTX2, BEST1 and MITF significantly decreased in the transplanted RPE cells. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that rabbits transplanted with hESC-derived RPE cells maintained normal corneal thickness and exhibited slight pigmentation in the central cornea one month after surgery. Immunostaining results showed that the HuNu-positive transplanted cells survived and expressed ZO1, ATP1A1 and MITF. CONCLUSION RPE cells and CECs showed high structural and functional similarities in barrier and pump characteristics. Intracameral injection of primary RPE cells and hESC-derived RPE cells can effectively restore rabbit corneal clarity and thickness and maintain normal corneal function. This study is the first to report the effectiveness of RPE cells for corneal endothelial dysfunction, suggesting the feasibility of hESC-derived RPE cells as an equivalent substitute for CECs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunxiao Dong
- Department of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China
- Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Qingdao, 266071, China
- Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Eye Hospital), Jinan, 250000, China
- School of Ophthalmology, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250000, China
| | - Dulei Zou
- Department of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China
- Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Qingdao, 266071, China
- Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Eye Hospital), Jinan, 250000, China
- School of Ophthalmology, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250000, China
| | - Haoyun Duan
- Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Qingdao, 266071, China
- School of Ophthalmology, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250000, China
| | - Xiangyue Hu
- Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Qingdao, 266071, China
- School of Ophthalmology, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250000, China
| | - Qingjun Zhou
- Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Qingdao, 266071, China
- School of Ophthalmology, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250000, China
| | - Weiyun Shi
- Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Qingdao, 266071, China
- Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Eye Hospital), Jinan, 250000, China
- School of Ophthalmology, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250000, China
| | - Zongyi Li
- Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Qingdao, 266071, China.
- School of Ophthalmology, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250000, China.
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GSK-3 inhibition reverts mesenchymal transition in primary human corneal endothelial cells. Eur J Cell Biol 2023; 102:151302. [PMID: 36905755 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2023.151302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 02/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Human corneal endothelial cells are organized in a tight mosaic of hexagonal cells and serve a critical function in maintaining corneal hydration and clear vision. Regeneration of the corneal endothelial tissue is hampered by its poor proliferative capacity, which is partially retrieved in vitro, albeit only for a limited number of passages before the cells undergo mesenchymal transition (EnMT). Although different culture conditions have been proposed in order to delay this process and prolong the number of cell passages, EnMT has still not been fully understood and successfully counteracted. In this perspective, we identified herein a single GSK-3 inhibitor, CHIR99021, able to revert and avoid EnMT in primary human corneal endothelial cells (HCEnCs) from old donors until late passages in vitro (P8), as shown from cell morphology analysis (circularity). In accordance, CHIR99021 reduced expression of α-SMA, an EnMT marker, while restored endothelial markers such as ZO-1, Na+/K+ ATPase and N-cadherin, without increasing cell proliferation. A further analysis on RNA expression confirmed that CHIR99021 induced downregulation of EnMT markers (α-SMA and CD44), upregulation of the proliferation repressor p21 and revealed novel insights into the β-catenin and TGFβ pathways intersections in HCEnCs. The use of CHIR99021 sheds light on the mechanisms involved in EnMT, providing a substantial advantage in maintaining primary HCEnCs in culture until late passages, while preserving the correct morphology and phenotype. Altogether, these results bring crucial advancements towards the improvement of the corneal endothelial cells based therapy.
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Zhou Q, Li Z, Duan H. iPSC-Derived Corneal Endothelial Cells. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2023; 281:257-276. [PMID: 36882600 DOI: 10.1007/164_2023_644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/09/2023]
Abstract
The corneal endothelium is the innermost monolayer of the cornea that maintains corneal transparency and thickness. However, adult human corneal endothelial cells (CECs) possess limited proliferative capacity, and injuries can only be repaired by migration and enlargement of resident cells. When corneal endothelial cell density is lower than the critical level (400-500 cells/mm2) due to disease or trauma, corneal endothelial dysfunction will occur and lead to corneal edema. Corneal transplantation remains the most effective clinical treatment therapy but is limited by the global shortage of healthy corneal donors. Recently, researchers have developed several alternative strategies for the treatment of corneal endothelial disease, including the transplantation of cultured human CECs and artificial corneal endothelial replacement. Early-stage results show that these strategies can effectively resolve corneal edema and restore corneal clarity and thickness, but the long-term efficacy and safety remain to be further validated. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) represent an ideal cell source for the treatment and drug discovery of corneal endothelial diseases, which can avoid the ethical-related and immune-related problems of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). At present, many approaches have been developed to induce the differentiation of corneal endothelial-like cells from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). Their safety and efficacy for the treatment of corneal endothelial dysfunction have been confirmed in rabbit and nonhuman primate animal models. Therefore, the iPSC-derived corneal endothelial cell model may provide a novel effective platform for basic and clinical research of disease modeling, drug screening, mechanistic investigation, and toxicology testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingjun Zhou
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, China
| | - Zongyi Li
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, China
| | - Haoyun Duan
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, China
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10
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Ye EA, Chung HS, Park Y, Sunwoo JH, Lee W, Kim J, Tchah H, Lee H, Kim JY. Induction of Corneal Endothelial-like Cells from Mesenchymal Stem Cells of the Umbilical Cord. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232315408. [PMID: 36499735 PMCID: PMC9739507 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232315408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Because of the limited differentiation capacity of human corneal endothelial cells (CECs), stem cells have emerged as a potential remedy for corneal endothelial dysfunction (CED). This study aimed to demonstrate the differentiation of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) into CECs and to investigate the efficacy of MSC-induced CEC injection into the anterior chamber in a rabbit model of CED. Human UC-MSCs were differentiated into CECs using medium containing glycogen synthase kinase 3β inhibitor and two types of Rho-associated protein kinase inhibitors. In the MSC-induced CECs, CEC-specific proteins were identified through immunohistochemistry and changes in CEC-specific gene expressions over time were confirmed through quantitative RT-PCR. When MSC-induced CECs were injected into a rabbit model of CED, corneal opacity and neovascularization were improved compared with the non-transplanted control or MSC injection group. We also confirmed that MSC-induced CECs were well engrafted as evidenced by human mitochondrial DNA in the central cornea of an animal model. Therefore, we demonstrated the differentiation of UC-MSCs into CECs in vitro and demonstrated the clinical efficacy of MSC-induced CEC injection, providing in vivo evidence that MSC-induced CECs have potential as a treatment option for CED.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun Ah Ye
- Department of Ophthalmology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - Ho Seok Chung
- Department of Ophthalmology, Dankook University Hospital, Dankook University College of Medicine, Cheonan 31116, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoonkyung Park
- Department of Ophthalmology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong Hye Sunwoo
- Department of Ophthalmology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - Whanseo Lee
- Department of Ophthalmology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Kim
- Department of Ophthalmology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - Hungwon Tchah
- Department of Ophthalmology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - Hun Lee
- Department of Ophthalmology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea
- Correspondence: (H.L.); (J.Y.K.); Tel.: +82-2-3010-5931 (H.L.); +82-2-3010-3680 (J.Y.K.); Fax: +82-2-470-6640 (H.L.); +82-2-470-6440 (J.Y.K.)
| | - Jae Yong Kim
- Department of Ophthalmology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea
- Correspondence: (H.L.); (J.Y.K.); Tel.: +82-2-3010-5931 (H.L.); +82-2-3010-3680 (J.Y.K.); Fax: +82-2-470-6640 (H.L.); +82-2-470-6440 (J.Y.K.)
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11
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Okawa R, Sogawa K, Shiozaki M, Yachiku K, Miura T, Shibata T, Ezoe S. The effects of continuous exposure to low-dose chlorine dioxide gas on the characteristics of induced pluripotent stem cells. Regen Ther 2022; 21:250-257. [PMID: 36092508 PMCID: PMC9420961 DOI: 10.1016/j.reth.2022.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ryoma Okawa
- Department of Space Infection Control, Graduate School of Medicine/Faculty of Medicine, Osaka University, 1-3 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Koushirou Sogawa
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shonan University of Medical Sciences, 16-10, Kamishinano, Totsuka, Yokohama, Kanagawa 244-0806, Japan
- Corresponding author. Fax: +81 6 6105 5243
| | - Motoko Shiozaki
- Department of Space Infection Control, Graduate School of Medicine/Faculty of Medicine, Osaka University, 1-3 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Kenji Yachiku
- Department of Space Infection Control, Graduate School of Medicine/Faculty of Medicine, Osaka University, 1-3 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Takanori Miura
- Department of Space Infection Control, Graduate School of Medicine/Faculty of Medicine, Osaka University, 1-3 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Takashi Shibata
- Strategic Global Partnership Cross-Innovation Initiative, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Sachiko Ezoe
- Department of Space Infection Control, Graduate School of Medicine/Faculty of Medicine, Osaka University, 1-3 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
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12
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Hazra S, Sneha IV, Chaurasia S, Ramachandran C. In Vitro Expansion of Corneal Endothelial Cells for Clinical Application: Current Update. Cornea 2022; 41:1313-1324. [PMID: 36107851 DOI: 10.1097/ico.0000000000003080] [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: 11/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Endothelial dysfunction is one of the leading causes of corneal blindness and one of the common indications for keratoplasty. At present, the standard of treatment involves the replacement of the dysfunctional endothelium with healthy tissue taken from a donor. Because there is a paucity of healthy donor tissues, research on the corneal endothelium has focused primarily on expanding these cells in the laboratory for transplantation in an attempt to reduce the gap between the demand and supply of donor tissues for transplantation. To expand these cells, which are nonmitotic in vivo, various mitogens, substrates, culture systems, and alternate strategies have been tested with varying success. The biggest challenge has been the limited proliferative capacity of these cells compounded with endothelial to mesenchymal transition that alters the functioning of these cells and renders them unsuitable for human transplantation. This review aims to give a comprehensive overview of the most common and successful techniques used in the culture of the cells, the current available evidence in support of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), alternate sources for deriving the corneal endothelial cells, and advances made in transplantation of these cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swatilekha Hazra
- Prof. Brien Holden Eye Research Centre, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India
- Manipal University, Manipal, Karnataka, India ; and
| | - Iskala V Sneha
- Prof. Brien Holden Eye Research Centre, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India
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13
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Bosch BM, Bosch-Rue E, Perpiñan-Blasco M, Perez RA. Design of functional biomaterials as substrates for corneal endothelium tissue engineering. Regen Biomater 2022; 9:rbac052. [PMID: 35958516 PMCID: PMC9362998 DOI: 10.1093/rb/rbac052] [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: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Corneal endothelium defects are one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide. The actual treatment is transplantation, which requires the use of human cadaveric donors, but it faces several problems, such as global shortage of donors. Therefore, new alternatives are being developed and, among them, cell therapy has gained interest in the last years due to its promising results in tissue regeneration. Nevertheless, the direct administration of cells may sometimes have limited success due to the immune response, hence requiring the combination with extracellular mimicking materials. In this review, we present different methods to obtain corneal endothelial cells from diverse cell sources such as pluripotent or multipotent stem cells. Moreover, we discuss different substrates in order to allow a correct implantation as a cell sheet and to promote an enhanced cell behavior. For this reason, natural or synthetic matrixes that mimic the native environment have been developed. These matrixes have been optimized in terms of their physicochemical properties, such as stiffness, topography, composition and transparency. To further enhance the matrixes properties, these can be tuned by incorporating certain molecules that can be delivered in a sustained manner in order to enhance biological behavior. Finally, we elucidate future directions for corneal endothelial regeneration, such as 3D printing, in order to obtain patient-specific substrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Begona M Bosch
- Universitat Internacional de Catalunya Bioengineering Institute of Technology (BIT), , Sant Cugat del Valles, Barcelona, 08195, Spain
| | - Elia Bosch-Rue
- Universitat Internacional de Catalunya Bioengineering Institute of Technology (BIT), , Sant Cugat del Valles, Barcelona, 08195, Spain
| | - Marina Perpiñan-Blasco
- Universitat Internacional de Catalunya Bioengineering Institute of Technology (BIT), , Sant Cugat del Valles, Barcelona, 08195, Spain
| | - Roman A Perez
- Universitat Internacional de Catalunya Bioengineering Institute of Technology (BIT), , Sant Cugat del Valles, Barcelona, 08195, Spain
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14
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Gautam P, Hamashima K, Chen Y, Zeng Y, Makovoz B, Parikh BH, Lee HY, Lau KA, Su X, Wong RCB, Chan WK, Li H, Blenkinsop TA, Loh YH. Multi-species single-cell transcriptomic analysis of ocular compartment regulons. Nat Commun 2021; 12:5675. [PMID: 34584087 PMCID: PMC8478974 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-25968-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The retina is a widely profiled tissue in multiple species by single-cell RNA sequencing studies. However, integrative research of the retina across species is lacking. Here, we construct the first single-cell atlas of the human and porcine ocular compartments and study inter-species differences in the retina. In addition to that, we identify putative adult stem cells present in the iris tissue. We also create a disease map of genes involved in eye disorders across compartments of the eye. Furthermore, we probe the regulons of different cell populations, which include transcription factors and receptor-ligand interactions and reveal unique directional signalling between ocular cell types. In addition, we study conservation of regulons across vertebrates and zebrafish to identify common core factors. Here, we show perturbation of KLF7 gene expression during retinal ganglion cells differentiation and conclude that it plays a significant role in the maturation of retinal ganglion cells. A comprehensive analysis of the ocular networks among various tissues is necessary to understand eye physiology in health and disease. Here the authors present a multi-species single-cell transcriptomic atlas consisting of cells of the cornea, iris, ciliary body, neural retina, retinal pigmented epithelium, and choroid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pradeep Gautam
- Cell Fate Engineering and Therapeutics Laboratory, A*STAR Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Singapore, 138673, Singapore.,Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117543, Singapore
| | - Kiyofumi Hamashima
- Cell Fate Engineering and Therapeutics Laboratory, A*STAR Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Singapore, 138673, Singapore
| | - Ying Chen
- Cell Fate Engineering and Therapeutics Laboratory, A*STAR Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Singapore, 138673, Singapore.,Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117543, Singapore.,Integrative Sciences and Engineering Programme (ISEP), NUS Graduate School, National University of Singapore, 21 Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore, 119077, Singapore
| | - Yingying Zeng
- Cell Fate Engineering and Therapeutics Laboratory, A*STAR Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Singapore, 138673, Singapore.,School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 637551, Singapore
| | - Bar Makovoz
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Bhav Harshad Parikh
- Department of Ophthalmology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,Translational Retinal Research Laboratory, A*STAR Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Singapore, 138673, Singapore
| | - Hsin Yee Lee
- Cell Fate Engineering and Therapeutics Laboratory, A*STAR Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Singapore, 138673, Singapore
| | - Katherine Anne Lau
- Cell Fate Engineering and Therapeutics Laboratory, A*STAR Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Singapore, 138673, Singapore
| | - Xinyi Su
- Department of Ophthalmology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,Translational Retinal Research Laboratory, A*STAR Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Singapore, 138673, Singapore.,Singapore Eye Research Institute, 11 Third Hospital Avenue, Singapore, 168751, Singapore
| | - Raymond C B Wong
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Melbourne, Vic, Australia.,Ophthalmology, Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic, Australia.,Shenzhen Eye Hospital, Shenzhen University School of Medicine, Shenzhen, China
| | - Woon-Khiong Chan
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117543, Singapore.,Integrative Sciences and Engineering Programme (ISEP), NUS Graduate School, National University of Singapore, 21 Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore, 119077, Singapore
| | - Hu Li
- Center for Individualized Medicine, Department of Molecular Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA.
| | | | - Yuin-Han Loh
- Cell Fate Engineering and Therapeutics Laboratory, A*STAR Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Singapore, 138673, Singapore. .,Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117543, Singapore. .,Integrative Sciences and Engineering Programme (ISEP), NUS Graduate School, National University of Singapore, 21 Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore, 119077, Singapore. .,Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117593, Singapore.
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15
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Hatou S, Sayano T, Higa K, Inagaki E, Okano Y, Sato Y, Okano H, Tsubota K, Shimmura S. Transplantation of iPSC-derived corneal endothelial substitutes in a monkey corneal edema model. Stem Cell Res 2021; 55:102497. [PMID: 34411973 DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2021.102497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In order to provide regenerative therapy for millions of patients suffering from corneal blindness globally, we derived corneal endothelial cell substitute (CECSi) cells from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to treat corneal edema due to endothelial dysfunction (bullous keratopathy). METHODS AND RESULTS We developed an efficient xeno-free protocol to produce CECSi cells from both research grade (Ff-MH09s01 and Ff-I01s04) and clinical grade (QHJI01s04) iPSCs. CECSi cells formed a hexagonal confluent monolayer with Na, K-ATPase alpha 1 subunit expression (ATP1A1), tight junctions, N-cadherin adherence junction formation, and nuclear PITX2 expression, which are all characteristics of corneal endothelial cells. CECSi cells can be cryopreserved, and thawed CECSi cell suspensions also expressed N-cadherin and ATP1A1. Residual undifferentiated iPSCs in QHJI01s04-derived CECSi cells was below 0.01%. Frozen stocks of Ff-I01s04- and QHJI01s04-derived CECSi cells were transported, thawed and transplanted into a monkey corneal edema model. CECSi-transplanted eyes significantly reduced corneal edema compared to control group. CONCLUSION Our results show a promising approach to provide bullous keratopathy patients with an iPS-cell-based cell therapy to recover useful vision.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shin Hatou
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan; Cellusion Inc, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomoko Sayano
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan; Cellusion Inc, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazunari Higa
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tokyo Dental College Ichikawa General Hospital, Ichikawa, Japan
| | - Emi Inagaki
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuji Okano
- Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasunori Sato
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Okano
- Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuo Tsubota
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shigeto Shimmura
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
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16
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Abstract
Corneal endothelial cells (CECs) facilitate the function of maintaining the transparency of the cornea. Damage or dysfunction of CECs can lead to blindness, and the primary treatment is corneal transplantation. However, the shortage of cornea donors is a significant problem worldwide. Thus, cultured CEC therapy has been proposed and found to be a promising approach to overcome the lack of tissue supply. Unfortunately, CECs in humans rarely proliferate in vivo and, therefore, can be extremely challenging to culture in vitro. Several promising cell isolation and culture techniques have been proposed. Multiple factors affecting the success of cell expansion including donor characteristics, preservation and isolation methods, plating density, media preparation, transdifferentiation and biomarkers have been evaluated. However, there is no consensus on standard technique for CEC culture. This review aimed to determine the challenges and investigate potential options that would facilitate the standardization of CEC culture for research and therapeutic application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rintra Wongvisavavit
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK.,Faculty of Medicine & Public Health, Chulabhorn Royal Academy, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Mohit Parekh
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Sajjad Ahmad
- Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Julie T Daniels
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK
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17
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Ali M, Khan SY, Gottsch JD, Hutchinson EK, Khan A, Riazuddin SA. Pluripotent stem cell-derived corneal endothelial cells as an alternative to donor corneal endothelium in keratoplasty. Stem Cell Reports 2021; 16:2320-2335. [PMID: 34358452 PMCID: PMC8452521 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2021.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Here, we evaluate the efficacy of cryopreserved human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived corneal endothelial cells (CECs) to form a functional monolayer of corneal endothelium (CE) in rabbits and monkeys. We injected cryopreserved hESC-derived CECs into the anterior chamber of rabbits and monkeys either immediately after mechanical scraping of the central CE or a few days later when corneal edema developed. All preclinical models developed deturgesced and clear corneas following the injection of cryopreserved hESC-derived CECs and remained comparable to the corneas of the untreated eye. Confocal scanning microscopy confirmed an intact structure of hexagonal/polygonal cells and immunohistochemical analysis illustrated a monolayer expressing barrier and pump function proteins in the regenerated CE. The necropsy examination confirmed no remarkable change in multiple tissues assessed for teratoma formation. In conclusion, our data demonstrate the efficacy of cryopreserved hESC-derived CECs to form a functional CE on the denuded Descemet's membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Ali
- The Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Shahid Y Khan
- The Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - John D Gottsch
- The Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Eric K Hutchinson
- Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Aisha Khan
- Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - S Amer Riazuddin
- The Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
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18
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Pei W, Chen J, Wu W, Wei W, Yu Y, Feng Y. Comparison of the rabbit and human corneal endothelial proteomes regarding proliferative capacity. Exp Eye Res 2021; 209:108629. [PMID: 34029595 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2021.108629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The shortage of human donor corneas has raised important concerns about engineering of corneal endothelial cells (CECs) for clinical use. However, due to the limited proliferative capacity of human CECs, driving them into proliferation and regeneration may be difficult. Unlike human CECs, rabbit CECs have a marked proliferative capacity. To clarify the potential reason for this difference, we analysed the proteomes of four human corneal endothelium samples and four rabbit corneal endothelium samples with quantitative label-free proteomics and downstream analysis. We discovered that vitamin and selenocompound metabolism and some signaling pathways such as NF-kappa B signaling pathway differed between the samples. Moreover, TGFβ, PITX2 and keratocan were distinctively expressed in rabbit samples, which might be associated with active proliferation in rabbit CECs. This study illustrates the proteomic differences between human and rabbit CECs and might promote CEC engineering strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendi Pei
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Jun Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Restoration of Damaged Ocular Nerve, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China; Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Wenyu Wu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Restoration of Damaged Ocular Nerve, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Wei Wei
- Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Yang Yu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China; Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Yun Feng
- Department of Ophthalmology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Restoration of Damaged Ocular Nerve, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China.
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19
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Sun B, Bikkuzin T, Li X, Shi Y, Zhang H. Human-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells-Derived Corneal Endothelial-Like Cells Promote Corneal Transparency in a Rabbit Model of Bullous Keratopathy. Stem Cells Dev 2021; 30:856-864. [PMID: 34128390 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2020.0205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The corneal endothelium (CE) is vital for the cornea to maintain its transparency. However, CE dysfunction occurs due to aging, intraocular surgery, trauma, dystrophy, etc. Corneal transplantation is the only method to clinically treat CE dysfunction; however, this treatment strategy faces the disadvantages of a global cornea shortage, graft failure, and severe side effects. There is a recognized need for a substitute for the CE. Stem cells are becoming increasingly common for the treatment of human diseases. In fact, several studies have documented the induction of corneal endothelial-like cells (CECs) from stem cells, but an ideal procedure has not yet been established. Thus, this study aimed at exploring a more efficient and robust differentiation method. We used a modified approach to differentiate induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) into CECs. After the identification of differentiated CECs, the CECs were injected into the anterior chambers of the eyes of a rabbit model of bullous keratopathy. The rabbits were maintained in the eye-down position to ensure that the cells attached to the cornea. The results showed that corneal edema was alleviated in the rabbits injected with CECs compared with that in the rabbits belonging to the control group. This study extends the ability to differentiate iPSCs into CECs and provides a potential strategy for the treatment of reduced visual acuity caused by CE deficiency in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baoqi Sun
- Department of Ophthalmology, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Timur Bikkuzin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bashkir State Medical University, Ufa, Russia
| | - Xuran Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Yan Shi
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Hong Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
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20
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Català P, Thuret G, Skottman H, Mehta JS, Parekh M, Ní Dhubhghaill S, Collin RWJ, Nuijts RMMA, Ferrari S, LaPointe VLS, Dickman MM. Approaches for corneal endothelium regenerative medicine. Prog Retin Eye Res 2021; 87:100987. [PMID: 34237411 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2021.100987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The state of the art therapy for treating corneal endothelial disease is transplantation. Advances in the reproducibility and accessibility of surgical techniques are increasing the number of corneal transplants, thereby causing a global deficit of donor corneas and leaving 12.7 million patients with addressable visual impairment. Approaches to regenerate the corneal endothelium offer a solution to the current tissue scarcity and a treatment to those in need. Methods for generating corneal endothelial cells into numbers that could address the current tissue shortage and the possible strategies used to deliver them have now become a therapeutic reality with clinical trials taking place in Japan, Singapore and Mexico. Nevertheless, there is still a long way before such therapies are approved by regulatory bodies and become clinical practice. Moreover, acellular corneal endothelial graft equivalents and certain drugs could provide a treatment option for specific disease conditions without the need of donor tissue or cells. Finally, with the emergence of gene modulation therapies to treat corneal endothelial disease, it would be possible to treat presymptomatic patients or those presenting early symptoms, drastically reducing the need for donor tissue. It is necessary to understand the most recent developments in this rapidly evolving field to know which conditions could be treated with which approach. This article provides an overview of the current and developing regenerative medicine therapies to treat corneal endothelial disease and provides the necessary guidance and understanding towards the treatment of corneal endothelial disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pere Català
- University Eye Clinic Maastricht, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands; Department of Cell Biology-Inspired Tissue Engineering, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Gilles Thuret
- Laboratory of Biology, Engineering and Imaging of Corneal Graft, BiiGC, Faculty of Medicine, University of Saint Etienne, Saint Etienne, France; Institut Universitaire de France, Paris, France
| | - Heli Skottman
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Jodhbir S Mehta
- Tissue Engineering and Cell Therapy Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore; Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Academic Clinical Programme, Duke-National University Singapore Medical School, Singapore; Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore
| | - Mohit Parekh
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK; The Veneto Eye Bank Foundation, Venice, Italy; Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sorcha Ní Dhubhghaill
- Department of Ophthalmology, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium; Ophthalmology, Visual Optics and Visual Rehabilitation, Department of Translational Neurosciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Rob W J Collin
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Rudy M M A Nuijts
- University Eye Clinic Maastricht, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | | | - Vanessa L S LaPointe
- Department of Cell Biology-Inspired Tissue Engineering, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Mor M Dickman
- University Eye Clinic Maastricht, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands; Department of Cell Biology-Inspired Tissue Engineering, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
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21
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Gong Y, Duan H, Wang X, Zhao C, Li W, Dong C, Li Z, Zhou Q. Transplantation of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neural crest cells for corneal endothelial regeneration. Stem Cell Res Ther 2021; 12:214. [PMID: 33781330 PMCID: PMC8008577 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-021-02267-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The corneal endothelium maintains corneal hydration through the barrier and pump function, while its dysfunction may cause corneal edema and vision reduction. Considering its development from neural crest cells (NCCs), here we investigated the efficacy of the human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived NCCs for corneal endothelial regeneration in rabbits. METHODS Directed differentiation of hiPSC-derived NCCs was achieved using the chemically defined medium containing GSK-3 inhibitor and TGF-β inhibitor. The differentiated cells were characterized by immunofluorescence staining, FACS analysis, and in vitro multi-lineage differentiation capacity. For in vivo functional evaluation, 1.0 × 106 hiPSC-derived NCCs or NIH-3 T3 fibroblasts (as control) combined with 100 μM Y-27632 were intracamerally injected into the anterior chamber of rabbits following removal of corneal endothelium. Rabbit corneal thickness and phenotype changes of the transplanted cells were examined at 7 and 14 days with handy pachymeter, dual-immunofluorescence staining, and quantitative RT-PCR. RESULTS The hiPSC-derived NCCs were differentiated homogenously through 7 days of induction and exhibited multi-lineage differentiation capacity into peripheral neurons, mesenchymal stem cells, and corneal keratocytes. After 7 days of intracameral injection in rabbit, the hiPSC-derived NCCs led to a gradual recovery of normal corneal thickness and clarity, when comparing to control rabbit with fibroblasts injection. However, the recovery efficacy after 14 days deteriorated and caused the reappearance of corneal edema. Mechanistically, the transplanted cells exhibited the impaired maturation, cellular senescence, and endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EnMT) after the early stage of the in vivo directional differentiation. CONCLUSIONS Transplantation of the hiPSC-derived NCCs rapidly restored rabbit corneal thickness and clarity. However, the long-term recovery efficacy was impaired by the improper maturation, senescence, and EnMT of the transplanted cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yajie Gong
- Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, 6699 Qingdao Road, Jinan, 271016, China
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Shandong Eye Institute, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, 5 Yan'erdao Road, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Haoyun Duan
- Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, 6699 Qingdao Road, Jinan, 271016, China
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Shandong Eye Institute, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, 5 Yan'erdao Road, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Xin Wang
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Shandong Eye Institute, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, 5 Yan'erdao Road, Qingdao, 266071, China
- Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, 372 Jingsi Road, Jinan, 250021, China
| | - Can Zhao
- Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, 6699 Qingdao Road, Jinan, 271016, China
- Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, 372 Jingsi Road, Jinan, 250021, China
| | - Wenjing Li
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Shandong Eye Institute, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, 5 Yan'erdao Road, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Chunxiao Dong
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Shandong Eye Institute, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, 5 Yan'erdao Road, Qingdao, 266071, China
- Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, 372 Jingsi Road, Jinan, 250021, China
| | - Zongyi Li
- Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, 6699 Qingdao Road, Jinan, 271016, China.
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Shandong Eye Institute, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, 5 Yan'erdao Road, Qingdao, 266071, China.
| | - Qingjun Zhou
- Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, 6699 Qingdao Road, Jinan, 271016, China.
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Shandong Eye Institute, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, 5 Yan'erdao Road, Qingdao, 266071, China.
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22
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In vitro reconstructed 3D corneal tissue models for ocular toxicology and ophthalmic drug development. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol Anim 2021; 57:207-237. [PMID: 33544359 DOI: 10.1007/s11626-020-00533-7] [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: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Testing of all manufactured products and their ingredients for eye irritation is a regulatory requirement. In the last two decades, the development of alternatives to the in vivo Draize eye irritation test method has substantially advanced due to the improvements in primary cell isolation, cell culture techniques, and media, which have led to improved in vitro corneal tissue models and test methods. Most in vitro models for ocular toxicology attempt to reproduce the corneal epithelial tissue which consists of 4-5 layers of non-keratinized corneal epithelial cells that form tight junctions, thereby limiting the penetration of chemicals, xenobiotics, and pharmaceuticals. Also, significant efforts have been directed toward the development of more complex three-dimensional (3D) equivalents to study wound healing, drug permeation, and bioavailability. This review focuses on in vitro reconstructed 3D corneal tissue models and their utilization in ocular toxicology as well as their application to pharmacology and ophthalmic research. Current human 3D corneal epithelial cell culture models have replaced in vivo animal eye irritation tests for many applications, and substantial validation efforts are in progress to verify and approve alternative eye irritation tests for widespread use. The validation of drug absorption models and further development of models and test methods for many ophthalmic and ocular disease applications is required.
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Khalili M, Asadi M, Kahroba H, Soleyman MR, Andre H, Alizadeh E. Corneal endothelium tissue engineering: An evolution of signaling molecules, cells, and scaffolds toward 3D bioprinting and cell sheets. J Cell Physiol 2020; 236:3275-3303. [PMID: 33090510 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Revised: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cornea is an avascular and transparent tissue that focuses light on retina. Cornea is supported by the corneal-endothelial layer through regulation of hydration homeostasis. Restoring vision in patients afflicted with corneal endothelium dysfunction-mediated blindness most often requires corneal transplantation (CT), which faces considerable constrictions due to donor limitations. An emerging alternative to CT is corneal endothelium tissue engineering (CETE), which involves utilizing scaffold-based methods and scaffold-free strategies. The innovative scaffold-free method is cell sheet engineering, which typically generates cell layers surrounded by an intact extracellular matrix, exhibiting tunable release from the stimuli-responsive surface. In some studies, scaffold-based or scaffold-free technologies have been reported to achieve promising outcomes. However, yet some issues exist in translating CETE from bench to clinical practice. In this review, we compare different corneal endothelium regeneration methods and elaborate on the application of multiple cell types (stem cells, corneal endothelial cells, and endothelial precursors), signaling molecules (growth factors, cytokines, chemical compounds, and small RNAs), and natural and synthetic scaffolds for CETE. Furthermore, we discuss the importance of three-dimensional bioprinting strategies and simulation of Descemet's membrane by biomimetic topography. Finally, we dissected the recent advances, applications, and prospects of cell sheet engineering for CETE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mostafa Khalili
- Drug Applied Research Center and Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Biotechnology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Maryam Asadi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Biotechnology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Houman Kahroba
- Biomedicine Institute, and Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Molecular Medicine Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Soleyman
- CinnaGen Medical Biotechnology Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
| | - Helder Andre
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, St. Erik Eye Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Effat Alizadeh
- Drug Applied Research Center and Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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24
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Maurizi E, Schiroli D, Zini R, Limongelli A, Mistò R, Macaluso C, Pellegrini G. A fine-tuned β-catenin regulation during proliferation of corneal endothelial cells revealed using proteomics analysis. Sci Rep 2020; 10:13841. [PMID: 32796906 PMCID: PMC7427785 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-70800-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Corneal endothelial (CE) dysfunction is the main indication for corneal transplantation, an invasive procedure with several limitations. Developing novel strategies to re-activate CE regenerative capacity is, therefore, of fundamental importance. This goal has proved to be challenging as corneal endothelial cells (CEnC) are blocked in the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle in vivo and, albeit retaining proliferative capacity in vitro, this is further hindered by endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Herein we investigated the mechanisms regulating CEnC proliferation in vitro. Comparing the proteome of non-proliferating (in vivo-G0/G1) and proliferating (in vitro-G2/M) rabbit CEnC (rCEnC), 77 proteins, out of 3,328 identified, were differentially expressed in the two groups (p < 0.005). Literature and Gene Ontology analysis revealed β-catenin and transforming growth factor (TGF-β) pathways to be correlated with the identified proteins. Treatment of rCEnC with a β-catenin activator and inhibitor showed that β-catenin activation was necessary during rCEnC proliferation, but not sufficient for its induction. Furthermore, both pro-proliferative activity of basic fibroblast growth factor and anti-proliferative effects of TGF-β were regulated through β-catenin. Overall, these results provide novel insights into the molecular basis underlying the proliferation process that CEnC re-activate in vitro, consolidating the role of β-catenin and TGF-β.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Maurizi
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine "S. Ferrari", Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Dentistry Center, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.
| | - Davide Schiroli
- Transfusion Medicine Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Roberta Zini
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine "S. Ferrari", Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | | | | | - Claudio Macaluso
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Dentistry Center, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Graziella Pellegrini
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine "S. Ferrari", Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
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Corneal Stem Cells as a Source of Regenerative Cell-Based Therapy. Stem Cells Int 2020; 2020:8813447. [PMID: 32765614 PMCID: PMC7388005 DOI: 10.1155/2020/8813447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Revised: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In the past few years, intensive research has focused on corneal stem cells as an unlimited source for cell-based therapy in regenerative ophthalmology. Today, it is known that the cornea has at least two types of stem cells: limbal epithelial stem cells (LESCs) and corneal stromal stem cells (CSSCs). LESCs are used for regeneration of corneal surface, while CSSCs are used for regeneration of corneal stroma. Until now, various approaches and methods for isolation of LESCs and CSSCs and their successful transplantation have been described and tested in several preclinical studies and clinical trials. This review describes in detail phenotypic characteristics of LESCs and CSSCs and discusses their therapeutic potential in corneal regeneration. Since efficient and safe corneal stem cell-based therapy is still a challenging issue that requires continuous cooperation between researchers, clinicians, and patients, this review addresses the important limitations and suggests possible strategies for improvement of corneal stem cell-based therapy.
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Babushkina A, Lwigale P. Periocular neural crest cell differentiation into corneal endothelium is influenced by signals in the nascent corneal environment. Dev Biol 2020; 465:119-129. [PMID: 32697973 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2020.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Revised: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
During ocular development, periocular neural crest cells (pNC) migrate into the region between the lens and presumptive corneal epithelium to form the corneal endothelium and stromal keratocytes. Although defects in neural crest cell development are associated with ocular dysgenesis, very little is known about the molecular mechanisms involved in this process. This study focuses on the corneal endothelium, a monolayer of specialized cells that are essential for maintaining normal hydration and transparency of the cornea. In avians, corneal endothelial cells are first to be specified from the pNC during their migration into the presumptive corneal region. To investigate the signals required for formation of the corneal endothelium, we utilized orthotopic and heterotopic injections of dissociated quail pNC into chick ocular regions. We find that pNC are multipotent and that the nascent cornea is competent to induce differentiation of ectopically injected pNC into corneal endothelium. Injected pNC downregulate expression of multipotency transcription factors and upregulate genes that are consistent with ontogenesis of the chick corneal endothelium. Importantly, we showed that TGFβ2 is expressed by the nascent lens and the corneal endothelium, and that TGFβ signaling plays a critical role in changing the molecular signature of pNC in vitro. Collectively, our results demonstrate the significance of the ocular environmental cues towards pNC differentiation, and have potential implications for clinical application of stem cells in the anterior segment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Babushkina
- BioSciences, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Peter Lwigale
- BioSciences, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, TX, USA.
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Di Zazzo A, Lee SM, Sung J, Niutta M, Coassin M, Mashaghi A, Inomata T. Variable Responses to Corneal Grafts: Insights from Immunology and Systems Biology. J Clin Med 2020; 9:E586. [PMID: 32098130 PMCID: PMC7074162 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9020586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2019] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Corneal grafts interact with their hosts via complex immunobiological processes that sometimes lead to graft failure. Prediction of graft failure is often a tedious task due to the genetic and nongenetic heterogeneity of patients. As in other areas of medicine, a reliable prediction method would impact therapeutic decision-making in corneal transplantation. Valuable insights into the clinically observed heterogeneity of host responses to corneal grafts have emerged from multidisciplinary approaches, including genomics analyses, mechanical studies, immunobiology, and theoretical modeling. Here, we review the emerging concepts, tools, and new biomarkers that may allow for the prediction of graft survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Di Zazzo
- Ophthalmology Complex Operative Unit, Campus Bio Medico University, 00128 Rome, Italy; (A.D.Z.); (M.N.); (M.C.)
| | - Sang-Mok Lee
- Department of Ophthalmology, Catholic Kwandong University College of Medicine, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do 25601, Korea;
- Department of Cornea, External Disease & Refractive Surgery, HanGil Eye Hospital, Incheon 21388, Korea
| | - Jaemyoung Sung
- University of South Florida, Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL 33612, USA;
- Department of Ophthalmology, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo 1130033, Japan
| | - Matteo Niutta
- Ophthalmology Complex Operative Unit, Campus Bio Medico University, 00128 Rome, Italy; (A.D.Z.); (M.N.); (M.C.)
| | - Marco Coassin
- Ophthalmology Complex Operative Unit, Campus Bio Medico University, 00128 Rome, Italy; (A.D.Z.); (M.N.); (M.C.)
| | - Alireza Mashaghi
- Systems Biomedicine and Pharmacology Division, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, 2333CC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Takenori Inomata
- Department of Ophthalmology, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo 1130033, Japan
- Department of Strategic Operating Room Management and Improvement, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo 1130033, Japan
- Department of Hospital Administration, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo 1130033, Japan
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28
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Sopjani M, Millaku L, Nebija D, Emini M, Rifati-Nixha A, Dërmaku-Sopjani M. The Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3 in the Regulation of Ion Channels and Cellular Carriers. Curr Med Chem 2020; 26:6817-6829. [PMID: 30306852 DOI: 10.2174/0929867325666181009122452] [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: 03/01/2018] [Revised: 09/19/2018] [Accepted: 09/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) is a highly evolutionarily conserved and ubiquitously expressed serine/threonine kinase, an enzyme protein profoundly specific for glycogen synthase (GS). GSK-3 is involved in various cellular functions and physiological processes, including cell proliferation, differentiation, motility, and survival as well as glycogen metabolism, protein synthesis, and apoptosis. There are two isoforms of human GSK-3 (named GSK-3α and GSK-3β) encoded by two distinct genes. Recently, GSK-3β has been reported to function as a powerful regulator of various transport processes across the cell membrane. This kinase, GSK-3β, either directly or indirectly, may stimulate or inhibit many different types of transporter proteins, including ion channel and cellular carriers. More specifically, GSK-3β-sensitive cellular transport regulation involves various calcium, chloride, sodium, and potassium ion channels, as well as a number of Na+-coupled cellular carriers including excitatory amino acid transporters EAAT2, 3 and 4, high-affinity Na+ coupled glucose carriers SGLT1, creatine transporter 1 CreaT1, and the type II sodium/phosphate cotransporter NaPi-IIa. The GSK-3β-dependent cellular transport regulations are a part of the kinase functions in numerous physiological and pathophysiological processes. Clearly, additional studies are required to examine the role of GSK-3β in many other types of cellular transporters as well as further elucidating the underlying mechanisms of GSK-3β-mediated cellular transport regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mentor Sopjani
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Prishtina, 10000 Prishtine, Kosova
| | - Lulzim Millaku
- Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Prishtina, 10000 Prishtine, Kosova
| | - Dashnor Nebija
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Prishtina, 10000 Prishtine, Kosova
| | - Merita Emini
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Prishtina, 10000 Prishtine, Kosova
| | - Arleta Rifati-Nixha
- Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Prishtina, 10000 Prishtine, Kosova
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Zhang J, Patel DV, McGhee CNJ. The Rapid Transformation of Transplantation for Corneal Endothelial Diseases: An Evolution From Penetrating to Lamellar to Cellular Transplants. Asia Pac J Ophthalmol (Phila) 2019; 8:441-447. [PMID: 31789646 PMCID: PMC6903320 DOI: 10.1097/apo.0000000000000265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The cornea is the major focusing structure of the human eye and the corneal endothelium maintains the relatively dehydrated state of the cornea required for clarity. The endothelial cells respond to disease or injury by migration and cellular enlargement. Our current understanding is that there is a very limited degree of proliferative or regenerative capacity in the human corneal endothelium. Thus, corneal endothelial diseases may result in corneal edema, significantly impact vision and quality of life. Contemporary surgical transplantation options for treating moderate to advanced endothelial dysfunction include penetrating keratoplasty (PK), Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK), and Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty. Advances in surgical techniques aim to bring faster visual recovery and improve visual outcomes; however, there is still a significant donor cornea shortage worldwide and alternative methods for treatment for corneal endothelial disease are rapidly evolving. Indeed, we are at a pivotal point in corneal transplantation for endothelial disease and novel surgical strategies include using 1 donor for multiple recipients, a minimally attached endothelial graft, and Descemet membrane stripping only. Crucially, forthcoming approaches include the use of Rho-Kinase (ROCK) inhibitors, endothelial cell therapy, tissue engineered grafts, and consideration of stem cell techniques. Ultimately, the choice of technique will be dependent on recipient factors such as age, type of endothelial disease, extent of the disease, and associated ocular disorders. The safety and efficacy of these rapidly developing treatments warrant further investigations. In time, some or all of these alternatives for corneal transplantation will alleviate the reliance on limited corneal donor tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, New Zealand National Eye Centre, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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30
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Rong Z, Hu J, Corey DR, Mootha VV. Quantitative Studies of Muscleblind Proteins and Their Interaction With TCF4 RNA Foci Support Involvement in the Mechanism of Fuchs' Dystrophy. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2019; 60:3980-3991. [PMID: 31560764 PMCID: PMC6779288 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.19-27641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is a major cause of vision loss and the most common nucleotide repeat disorder, affecting 4% of United States population greater than 40 years of age. Seventy percent of FECD cases are due to an intronic CTG expansion within the TCF4 gene, resulting in accumulation of CUG repeat RNA nuclear foci in corneal endothelium. Each endothelial cell has approximately two sense foci, and each focus is a single RNA molecule. This study aimed to obtain a better understanding of how rare repeat RNA species lead to disease. Methods We quantitatively examined muscleblind-like (MBNL) proteins and their interaction with foci in both patient-derived corneal endothelial cell lines and human corneal endothelial tissue. Results Using fluorescent in situ hybridization and immunofluorescence, we found that depletion of both MBNL1 and MBNL2 reduces nuclear RNA foci formed by the repeat, suggesting that both are necessary for foci. Quantitative studies of RNA and protein copy number revealed MBNLs to be abundant in the total cellular pool in endothelial cell lines but are much lower in human corneal endothelial tissue. Studies using human tissue nuclear and cytoplasmic fractions indicate that most MBNL proteins are localized to the cytoplasm. Conclusions The low levels of MBNL1/2 in corneal tissue, in combination with the small fraction of protein in the nucleus, may make corneal endothelial cells especially susceptible to sequestration of MBNL1/2 by CUG repeat RNA. These observations may explain how a limited number of RNA molecules can cause widespread alteration of splicing and late-onset degenerative FECD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziye Rong
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States
- McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States
| | - Jiaxin Hu
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States
| | - David R. Corey
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States
| | - V. Vinod Mootha
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States
- McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States
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Neural crest stem cells from human epidermis of aged donors maintain their multipotency in vitro and in vivo. Sci Rep 2019; 9:9750. [PMID: 31278326 PMCID: PMC6611768 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-46140-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2019] [Accepted: 06/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Neural crest (NC) cells are multipotent stem cells that arise from the embryonic ectoderm, delaminate from the neural tube in early vertebrate development and migrate throughout the developing embryo, where they differentiate into various cell lineages. Here we show that multipotent and functional NC cells can be derived by induction with a growth factor cocktail containing FGF2 and IGF1 from cultures of human inter-follicular keratinocytes (KC) isolated from elderly donors. Adult NC cells exhibited longer doubling times as compared to neonatal NC cells, but showed limited signs of cellular senescence despite the advanced age of the donors and exhibited significantly younger epigenetic age as compared to KC. They also maintained their multipotency, as evidenced by their ability to differentiate into all NC-specific lineages including neurons, Schwann cells, melanocytes, and smooth muscle cells (SMC). Notably, upon implantation into chick embryos, adult NC cells behaved similar to their embryonic counterparts, migrated along stereotypical pathways and contributed to multiple NC derivatives in ovo. These results suggest that KC-derived NC cells may provide an easily accessible, autologous source of stem cells that can be used for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases or as a model system for studying disease pathophysiology and drug development.
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Feasibility of a cryopreservation of cultured human corneal endothelial cells. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0218431. [PMID: 31226131 PMCID: PMC6588235 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0218431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2018] [Accepted: 06/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Transparency of the cornea is essential for vision and is maintained by the corneal endothelium. Consequently, corneal endothelial decompensation arising from irreversible damage to the corneal endothelium causes severe vision impairment. Until recently, transplantation of donor corneas was the only therapeutic choice for treatment of endothelial decompensation. In 2013, we initiated clinical research into cell-based therapy involving injection of a suspension of cultured human corneal endothelial cells (HCECs), in combination with Rho kinase inhibitor, into the anterior chamber. The aim of the present study was to establish a protocol for cryopreservation of HCECs to allow large-scale commercial manufacturing of these cells. This study focused on the effects of various cryopreservation reagents on HCEC viability. Screening of several commercially available cryopreservation reagents identified Bambanker hRM as an effective agent that maintained a cell viability of 89.4% after 14 days of cryopreservation, equivalent to the cell viability of 89.2% for non-cryopreserved control cells. The use of Bambanker hRM and HCECs at a similar grade to that used clinically for cell based therapy (passage 3–5 and a cell density higher than 2000 cells/mm2) gave a similar cell density for cryopreserved HCECs to that of non-preserved control HCECs after 28 days of cultivation (2099 cells/mm2 and 2111 cells/mm2, respectively). HCECs preserved using Bambanker hRM grew in a similar fashion to non-preserved control HCECs and formed a monolayer sheet-like structure. Cryopreservation of HCECs has multiple advantages including the ability to accumulate stocks of master cells, to transport HCEC stocks, and to manufacture HCECs on demand for use in cell-based treatment of endothelial decompensation.
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Serrano F, Bernard WG, Granata A, Iyer D, Steventon B, Kim M, Vallier L, Gambardella L, Sinha S. A Novel Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Neural Crest Model of Treacher Collins Syndrome Shows Defects in Cell Death and Migration. Stem Cells Dev 2019; 28:81-100. [PMID: 30375284 PMCID: PMC6350417 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2017.0234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2017] [Accepted: 10/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The neural crest (NC) is a transient multipotent cell population present during embryonic development. The NC can give rise to multiple cell types and is involved in a number of different diseases. Therefore, the development of new strategies to model NC in vitro enables investigations into the mechanisms involved in NC development and disease. In this study, we report a simple and efficient protocol to differentiate human pluripotent stem cells (HPSC) into NC using a chemically defined media, with basic fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) and the transforming growth factor-β inhibitor SB-431542. The cell population generated expresses a range of NC markers, including P75, TWIST1, SOX10, and TFAP2A. NC purification was achieved in vitro through serial passaging of the population, recreating the developmental stages of NC differentiation. The generated NC cells are highly proliferative, capable of differentiating to their derivatives in vitro and engraft in vivo to NC specific locations. In addition, these cells could be frozen for storage and thawed with no loss of NC properties, nor the ability to generate cellular derivatives. We assessed the potential of the derived NC population to model the neurocristopathy, Treacher Collins Syndrome (TCS), using small interfering RNA (siRNA) knockdown of TCOF1 and by creating different TCOF1+/- HPSC lines through CRISPR/Cas9 technology. The NC cells derived from TCOF1+/- HPSC recapitulate the phenotype of the reported TCS murine model. We also report for the first time an impairment of migration in TCOF1+/- NC and mesenchymal stem cells. In conclusion, the developed protocol permits the generation of the large number of NC cells required for developmental studies, disease modeling, and for drug discovery platforms in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe Serrano
- Anne McLaren Laboratory, Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - William George Bernard
- Anne McLaren Laboratory, Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Alessandra Granata
- Division of Clinical Neurosciences, Clifford Allbutt Building, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Dharini Iyer
- Anne McLaren Laboratory, Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Ben Steventon
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew Kim
- Anne McLaren Laboratory, Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Ludovic Vallier
- Anne McLaren Laboratory, Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Laure Gambardella
- Anne McLaren Laboratory, Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Sanjay Sinha
- Anne McLaren Laboratory, Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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Gutermuth A, Maassen J, Harnisch E, Kuhlen D, Sauer-Budge A, Skazik-Voogt C, Engelmann K. Descemet's Membrane Biomimetic Microtopography Differentiates Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Into Corneal Endothelial-Like Cells. Cornea 2019; 38:110-119. [PMID: 30308581 PMCID: PMC6282677 DOI: 10.1097/ico.0000000000001765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Supplemental Digital Content is Available in the Text. Purpose: Loss of corneal endothelial cells (CECs) bears disastrous consequences for the patient, including corneal clouding and blindness. Corneal transplantation is currently the only therapy for severe corneal disorders. However, the worldwide shortages of corneal donor material generate a strong demand for personalized stem cell–based alternative therapies. Because human mesenchymal stem cells are known to be sensitive to their mechanical environments, we investigated the mechanotransductive potential of Descemet membrane–like microtopography (DLT) to differentiate human mesenchymal stem cells into CEC-like cells. Methods: Master molds with inverted DLT were produced by 2-photon lithography (2-PL). To measure the mechanotransductive potential of DLT, mesenchymal stem cells were cultivated on silicone or collagen imprints with DLT. Changes in morphology were imaged, and changes in gene expression of CEC typical genes such as zonula occludens (ZO-1), sodium/potassium (Na/K)-ATPase, paired-like homeodomain 2 (PITX2), and collagen 8 (COL-8) were measured with real-time polymerase chain reaction. At least immunofluorescence analysis has been conducted to confirm gene data on the protein level. Results: Adhesion of MSCs to DLT molded in silicone and particularly in collagen initiates polygonal morphology and monolayer formation and enhances not only transcription of CEC typical genes such as ZO-1, Na/K-ATPase, PITX2, and COL-8 but also expression of the corresponding proteins. Conclusions: Artificial reproduction of Descemet membrane with respect to topography and similar stiffness offers a potential innovative way to bioengineer a functional CEC monolayer from autologous stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Gutermuth
- Department for Applied Cell Biology, Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology, Aachen, Germany
| | - Jessika Maassen
- Department for Applied Cell Biology, Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology, Aachen, Germany
| | - Emely Harnisch
- Department for Applied Cell Biology, Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology, Aachen, Germany
| | - Daniel Kuhlen
- Department for Applied Cell Biology, Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology, Aachen, Germany
| | - Alexis Sauer-Budge
- Exponent, Department for Polymer Science & Materials Chemistry, Natick, MA
| | - Claudia Skazik-Voogt
- Department for Applied Cell Biology, Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology, Aachen, Germany
| | - Katrin Engelmann
- Medical Center for Ophthalmology, Chemnitz, Germany.,Experimental Ophthalmology, Institute of Anatomy Dresden, Technical University of Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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35
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Chen S, Zhu Q, Sun H, Zhang Y, Tighe S, Xu L, Zhu Y. Advances in culture, expansion and mechanistic studies of corneal endothelial cells: a systematic review. J Biomed Sci 2019; 26:2. [PMID: 30609919 PMCID: PMC6320592 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-018-0492-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2018] [Accepted: 11/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Human corneal endothelial cells are notorious for their restricted proliferative ability in vivo and in vitro. Hence, injury or dysfunction of these cells may easily result in blindness. Currently, the only treatment is to transplant a donor cornea that contains a healthy corneal endothelium. However there is a severe global shortage of donor corneas and there remains an unmet clinical need to engineer human corneal grafts with healthy corneal endothelium. In this review, we present current advances in the culture, expansion, and molecular understandings of corneal endothelial cells in vitro in order to help establish methods of engineering human corneal endothelial grafts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuangling Chen
- Tissue Tech, Inc., 7235 Corporate Center Drive, Suite B, Miami, Florida, 33126, USA
| | - Qin Zhu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University (the Second People's Hospital of Yunnan Province), Key Laboratory of Yunnan Province for the Prevention and Treatment of Ophthalmology, Provincial Innovation Team for Cataract and Ocular Fundus Disease, The Second People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Expert Workstation of Yao Ke, Yunnan Eye Institute, Kunming, 650021, China
| | - Hong Sun
- Department of Ophthalmology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Yuan Zhang
- Tissue Tech, Inc., 7235 Corporate Center Drive, Suite B, Miami, Florida, 33126, USA
| | - Sean Tighe
- Tissue Tech, Inc., 7235 Corporate Center Drive, Suite B, Miami, Florida, 33126, USA
| | - Li Xu
- The Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Tongdao North Rd, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Yingting Zhu
- Tissue Tech, Inc., 7235 Corporate Center Drive, Suite B, Miami, Florida, 33126, USA.
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36
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Hara S, Kawasaki S, Yoshihara M, Winegarner A, Busch C, Tsujikawa M, Nishida K. Transcription factor TFAP2B up-regulates human corneal endothelial cell-specific genes during corneal development and maintenance. J Biol Chem 2018; 294:2460-2469. [PMID: 30552118 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.005527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2018] [Revised: 12/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The corneal endothelium, which originates from the neural crest via the periocular mesenchyme (PM), is crucial for maintaining corneal transparency. The development of corneal endothelial cells (CECs) from the neural crest is accompanied by the expression of several transcription factors, but the contribution of some of these transcriptional regulators to CEC development is incompletely understood. Here, we focused on activating enhancer-binding protein 2 (TFAP2, AP-2), a neural crest-expressed transcription factor. Using semiquantitative/quantitative RT-PCR and reporter gene and biochemical assays, we found that, within the AP-2 family, the TFAP2B gene is the only one expressed in human CECs in vivo and that its expression is strongly localized to the peripheral region of the corneal endothelium. Furthermore, the TFAP2B protein was expressed both in vivo and in cultured CECs. During mouse development, TFAP2B expression began in the PM at embryonic day 11.5 and then in CECs during adulthood. siRNA-mediated knockdown of TFAP2B in CECs decreased the expression of the corneal endothelium-specific proteins type VIII collagen α2 (COL8A2) and zona pellucida glycoprotein 4 (ZP4) and suppressed cell proliferation. Of note, we also found that TFAP2B binds to the promoter of the COL8A2 and ZP4 genes. Furthermore, CECs that highly expressed ZP4 also highly expressed both TFAP2B and COL8A2 and showed high cell proliferation. These findings suggest that TFAP2B transcriptionally regulates CEC-specific genes and therefore may be an important transcriptional regulator of corneal endothelial development and homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susumu Hara
- From the Departments of Stem Cells and Applied Medicine and .,Ophthalmology and
| | | | - Masahito Yoshihara
- Division of Genomic Technologies, RIKEN Center for Life Science Technologies, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan, and.,Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Neo, 141 83 Huddinge, Sweden
| | | | | | - Motokazu Tsujikawa
- Ophthalmology and.,Division of Health Sciences Area of Medical Technology and Science, Department of Biomedical Informatics, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
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37
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Kocaba V, Damour O, Auxenfans C, Burillon C. [Corneal endothelial cell therapy, a review]. J Fr Ophtalmol 2018; 41:462-469. [PMID: 29773311 DOI: 10.1016/j.jfo.2018.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2017] [Revised: 01/06/2018] [Accepted: 01/09/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
In France, endothelial dysfunction represents approximately one half of the indications for corneal transplants performed each year. However, the use of endothelial keratoplasty is limited by the technical difficulty of the procedure, a shortage of available grafts, and the potential for graft failure or rejection. These limitations are driving researchers to develop new, less invasive, and more effective therapies. Corneal endothelial cell therapy is being explored as a potential therapeutic measure, to avoid the uncertainty associated with grafting. The human cornea is an ideal tissue for cell therapy. Due to its avascular and immunologically privileged characteristics, transplanted cells are better tolerated compared with other vascularized tissues and organs. Advances in the field of stem cell engineering, particularly the development of corneal epithelial stem cell therapy for the treatment of severe ocular surface disease, have aroused a massive interest in adapting cell therapy techniques to corneal endothelial cells. This chapter, based on a review of the literature, aims at educating the reader on the latest research in the field of corneal endothelial cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Kocaba
- Service d'ophtalmologie, pavillon C, hôpital Edouard-Herriot, 5, place d'Arsonval, 69003 Lyon, France; Université Claude-Bernard Lyon-1, 69100 Villeurbanne, France; Banque de cornée de Lyon, pavillon I, hôpital Edouard-Herriot, 5, place d'Arsonval, 69003 Lyon, France; Cornea Center of Excellence, The Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, États-Unis; Tissue Engineering and stem cell group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, 168751 Singapour.
| | - O Damour
- Banque de cornée de Lyon, pavillon I, hôpital Edouard-Herriot, 5, place d'Arsonval, 69003 Lyon, France
| | - C Auxenfans
- Banque de cornée de Lyon, pavillon I, hôpital Edouard-Herriot, 5, place d'Arsonval, 69003 Lyon, France
| | - C Burillon
- Service d'ophtalmologie, pavillon C, hôpital Edouard-Herriot, 5, place d'Arsonval, 69003 Lyon, France; Université Claude-Bernard Lyon-1, 69100 Villeurbanne, France; Banque de cornée de Lyon, pavillon I, hôpital Edouard-Herriot, 5, place d'Arsonval, 69003 Lyon, France
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38
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Yamashita K, Hatou S, Inagaki E, Higa K, Tsubota K, Shimmura S. A Rabbit Corneal Endothelial Dysfunction Model Using Endothelial-Mesenchymal Transformed Cells. Sci Rep 2018; 8:16868. [PMID: 30442918 PMCID: PMC6237874 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-35110-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2018] [Accepted: 09/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Unlike humans, rabbit corneal endothelial wounds are known to spontaneously heal. The current study was aimed to develop a new rabbit bullous keratopathy model using corneal endothelial cells that were induced to undergo endothelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT). EMT was induced in rabbit corneal endothelial cells (RCECs) by culturing with TGFβ and basic FGF Supplemented Medium. The corneal endothelia in recipient rabbits were mechanically scraped from the corneal endothelial surface inside an 8 mm mark. Then, a suspension of EMT-induced RCECs (EMT-RCECs) was injected into the anterior chamber. Eyes injected with freshly isolated RCECs (Fresh RCECs group) and eyes that were scraped without injection of cells (Scrape group) were used as controls. Immediately following operation, subepithelial and stromal edema was observed with increased central corneal thickness and corneal opacity in all groups. In the EMT-RCECs group, bullous keratopathy persisted for 42 days up to the end of the study. In the Fresh-RCECs and Scrape groups, corneal transparency and thickness recovered by 7 days after treatment and was maintained up to 42 days. The activated fibroblast marker, α-SMA, was observed spanning from corneal endothelium to corneal stroma in the EMT-RCECs group. Interestingly, α-SMA was upregulated in the Scrape-group as well. In all groups, there was no damage to other intraocular structures, and intraocular pressure was normal throughout the observation period. Transplanting a fresh donor cornea effectively treated corneal edema due to bullous keratopathy. This model is a promising tool for pre-clinical trials in the development of new therapies against corneal endothelial dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuya Yamashita
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shin Hatou
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Emi Inagaki
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazunari Higa
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tokyo Dental College Ichikawa General Hospital, Ichikawa, Japan
| | - Kazuo Tsubota
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shigeto Shimmura
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
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39
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Reed NS, Deal JA, Huddle MG, Betz JF, Bailey BE, McGlumphy EJ, Eghrari AO, Riazuddin SA, Lin FR, Gottsch JD. Pilot Study of Audiometric Patterns in Fuchs Corneal Dystrophy. JOURNAL OF SPEECH, LANGUAGE, AND HEARING RESEARCH : JSLHR 2018; 61:2604-2608. [PMID: 30286242 PMCID: PMC6428237 DOI: 10.1044/2018_jslhr-h-18-0088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2018] [Revised: 05/11/2018] [Accepted: 06/05/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Although Fuchs corneal dystrophy (FCD) is considered an eye disease, a small number of studies have identified genes related to both FCD and hearing loss. Whether FCD is related to hearing loss is unknown. METHOD This is a case-control study comparing pure-tone audiometry hearing thresholds in 180 patients with FCD from a hospital-based ophthalmology clinic with 2,575 population-based controls from a nationally representative survey, the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (from cycles 2005-06 and 2009-10). Generalized estimating equations were used to compare mean better-hearing ear thresholds in the 2 groups adjusted for age, sex, race, and noise exposure. RESULTS Patients with FCD had higher hearing thresholds (worse hearing) in lower frequencies (mean difference at 0.5 kHz = 3.49 dB HL) and lower hearing thresholds (better hearing) in higher frequencies (difference at 4 kHz = -4.25 dB HL) compared with population-based controls. CONCLUSION In the first study to use objectively measured hearing, FCD was associated with poorer low-frequency and better high-frequency audiometric thresholds than population controls. Further studies are needed to characterize this relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas S Reed
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
- Center on Aging and Health, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD
| | - Jennifer A Deal
- Center on Aging and Health, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
| | - Matthew G Huddle
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Joshua F Betz
- Center on Aging and Health, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD
- Department of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
| | - Bethany E Bailey
- The Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Elyse J McGlumphy
- The Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Allen O Eghrari
- The Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - S Amer Riazuddin
- The Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Frank R Lin
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
- Center on Aging and Health, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
| | - John D Gottsch
- The Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
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40
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Abstract
Human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) provide a personalized approach to study conditions and diseases including those of the eye that lack appropriate animal models to facilitate the development of novel therapeutics. Corneal disease is one of the most common causes of blindness. Hence, significant efforts are made to develop novel therapeutic approaches including stem cell-derived strategies to replace the diseased or damaged corneal tissues, thus restoring the vision. The use of adult limbal stem cells in the management of corneal conditions has been clinically successful. However, its limited availability and phenotypic plasticity necessitate the need for alternative stem cell sources to manage corneal conditions. Mesenchymal and embryonic stem cell-based approaches are being explored; nevertheless, their limited differentiation potential and ethical concerns have posed a significant hurdle in its clinical use. hiPSCs have emerged to fill these technical and ethical gaps to render clinical utility. In this review, we discuss and summarize protocols that have been devised so far to direct differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) to different corneal cell phenotypes. With the summarization, our review intends to facilitate an understanding which would allow developing efficient and robust protocols to obtain specific corneal cell phenotype from hPSCs for corneal disease modeling and for the clinics to treat corneal diseases and injury.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rohit Shetty
- Cornea and Refractive Surgery, Narayana Nethralaya, Bengaluru, India
| | - Arkasubhra Ghosh
- GROW Research Laboratory, Narayana Nethralaya Foundation, Bengaluru, India
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41
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Yamashita K, Inagaki E, Hatou S, Higa K, Ogawa A, Miyashita H, Tsubota K, Shimmura S. Corneal Endothelial Regeneration Using Mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived from Human Umbilical Cord. Stem Cells Dev 2018; 27:1097-1108. [PMID: 29929442 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2017.0297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Corneal blindness is the third leading cause of blindness in the world, and one of the main etiologies is dysfunction of the corneal endothelium. Current treatment of corneal endothelial disease is allogenic corneal transplantation, which is limited by the global shortage of donor corneas and immunological rejection. The corneal endothelium consists of a monolayer of cells derived from the neural crest and mesoderm. Its main function is to prevent corneal edema by tight junctions formed by zonular occludens-1 (ZO-1) and Na, K-ATPase pump function. The human umbilical cord (UC) is a rich source of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). UC-MSCs that have multi-lineage potential may be an accessible allogenic source. After inducing differentiation with medium containing glycogen synthase kinase (GSK) 3-β inhibitor, UC-MSCs formed polygonal corneal endothelial-like cells that functioned as tissue-engineered corneal endothelium (UTECE). Expressions of major corneal endothelial markers were confirmed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR). Western blotting confirmed the expression of Na,K-ATPase and PITX2, the functional and developmental markers of corneal endothelial cells. Immunohistochemistry revealed the localization of Na,K-ATPase and ZO-1 in cell-cell junctions, suggesting the presence of tight junctions. In vitro functional analysis revealed that UTECE had significantly high pump function compared with UC-MSCs. Moreover, UTECE transplanted into a rabbit model of bullous keratopathy successfully maintained corneal thickness and transparency. Our findings suggest that UTECE may be used as a source of allogenic cells for the treatment of corneal endothelial disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuya Yamashita
- 1 Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine , Tokyo, Japan
| | - Emi Inagaki
- 1 Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine , Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shin Hatou
- 1 Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine , Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazunari Higa
- 2 Department of Ophthalmology, Tokyo Dental College Ichikawa General Hospital , Ichikawa, Japan
| | - Akiko Ogawa
- 1 Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine , Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Miyashita
- 1 Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine , Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuo Tsubota
- 1 Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine , Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shigeto Shimmura
- 1 Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine , Tokyo, Japan
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42
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Wang Y, Mahesh P, Wang Y, Novo SG, Shihan MH, Hayward-Piatkovskyi B, Duncan MK. Spatiotemporal dynamics of canonical Wnt signaling during embryonic eye development and posterior capsular opacification (PCO). Exp Eye Res 2018; 175:148-158. [PMID: 29932883 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2018.06.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2018] [Revised: 06/14/2018] [Accepted: 06/18/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The appropriate spatial and temporal regulation of canonical Wnt signaling is vital for eye development. However, the literature often conflicts on the distribution of canonical Wnt signaling in the eye. Here, using a sensitive mouse transgenic reporter line, we report a detailed re-evaluation of the spatiotemporal dynamics of canonical Wnt signaling in the developing eye. Canonical Wnt activity was dynamic in the optic vesicle and later in the retina, while it was absent from the ectodermal precursors of the lens and corneal epithelium. However, later in corneal development, canonical Wnt reporter activity was detected in corneal stroma and endothelium precursors as they form from the neural crest, although this was lost around birth. Interestingly, while no canonical Wnt signaling was detected in the corneal limbus or basal cells at any developmental stage, it was robust in adult corneal wing and squamous epithelial cells. While canonical Wnt reporter activity was also absent from the postnatal lens, upon lens injury intended to model cataract surgery, it upregulated within 12 h in remnant lens epithelial cells, and co-localized with alpha smooth muscle actin in fibrotic lens epithelial cells from 48 h post-surgery onward. This pattern correlated with downregulation of the inhibitor of canonical Wnt signaling, Dkk3. These data demonstrate that canonical Wnt signaling is dynamic within the developing eye and upregulates in lens epithelial cells in response to lens injury. As canonical Wnt signaling can collaborate with TGFβ to drive fibrosis in other systems, these data offer the first evidence in a lens-injury model that canonical Wnt may synergize with TGFβ signaling to drive fibrotic posterior capsular opacification (PCO).
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Affiliation(s)
- Yichen Wang
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, United States
| | - Priyha Mahesh
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, United States
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, United States
| | - Samuel G Novo
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, United States
| | - Mahbubul H Shihan
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, United States
| | | | - Melinda K Duncan
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, United States.
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43
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O'Day E, Hosta-Rigau L, Oyarzún DA, Okano H, de Lorenzo V, von Kameke C, Alsafar H, Cao C, Chen GQ, Ji W, Roberts RJ, Ronaghi M, Yeung K, Zhang F, Lee SY. Are We There Yet? How and When Specific Biotechnologies Will Improve Human Health. Biotechnol J 2018; 14:e1800195. [PMID: 29799175 DOI: 10.1002/biot.201800195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2018] [Revised: 05/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Patient X: A 67-year-old Caucasian man slips on a patch of ice. He has abrasions to his hands and has sustained significant damage to his hip. At the emergency room, he informs clinicians he takes atorvastatin, metformin, and glimepiride to treat hypertension and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). X-rays reveal a fractured hip, which will require total hip replacement surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth O'Day
- Global Future Council on the Future of Biotechnologies, World Economic Forum, Cologny, CH-1223, Geneva, Switzerland.,Olaris Therapeutics, Inc., 45 Moulton St., Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Leticia Hosta-Rigau
- Global Future Council on the Future of Biotechnologies, World Economic Forum, Cologny, CH-1223, Geneva, Switzerland.,Department of Micro- and Nanotechnology, Center for Nanomedicine and Theranostics, Technical University of Denmark, 2800, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Diego A Oyarzún
- Global Future Council on the Future of Biotechnologies, World Economic Forum, Cologny, CH-1223, Geneva, Switzerland.,Department of Mathematics, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK.,EPSRC Centre for Mathematics of Precision Healthcare, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Hideyuki Okano
- Global Future Council on the Future of Biotechnologies, World Economic Forum, Cologny, CH-1223, Geneva, Switzerland.,Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan
| | - Víctor de Lorenzo
- Global Future Council on the Future of Biotechnologies, World Economic Forum, Cologny, CH-1223, Geneva, Switzerland.,National Center of Biotechnology CSIC, Systems Biology Program, Campus de Cantoblanco, E-28049, Madrid, Spain
| | - Conrad von Kameke
- Global Future Council on the Future of Biotechnologies, World Economic Forum, Cologny, CH-1223, Geneva, Switzerland.,BioInnovators Europe, Berlin, Germany
| | - Habiba Alsafar
- Global Future Council on the Future of Biotechnologies, World Economic Forum, Cologny, CH-1223, Geneva, Switzerland.,Khalifa University Center for Biotechnology, Khalifa University, PO Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Cong Cao
- Global Future Council on the Future of Biotechnologies, World Economic Forum, Cologny, CH-1223, Geneva, Switzerland.,University of Nottingham, 199 East Taikang Road, Ningbo, 315100, China
| | - Guo-Qiang Chen
- Global Future Council on the Future of Biotechnologies, World Economic Forum, Cologny, CH-1223, Geneva, Switzerland.,Center for Synthetic and Systems Biology, MOE Lab for Industrial Biocatalysis, Tsinghua-Peking University Center of Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Weizhi Ji
- Global Future Council on the Future of Biotechnologies, World Economic Forum, Cologny, CH-1223, Geneva, Switzerland.,Kunming University of Science and Technology, 727 Jingming South Rd. Chenh Gong, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan, China
| | - Richard J Roberts
- Global Future Council on the Future of Biotechnologies, World Economic Forum, Cologny, CH-1223, Geneva, Switzerland.,New England Biolabs, 240 County Road, Ipswich, MA, 01938, USA
| | - Mostafa Ronaghi
- Global Future Council on the Future of Biotechnologies, World Economic Forum, Cologny, CH-1223, Geneva, Switzerland.,Illumina Inc., 5200 Illumina Way, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA
| | - Karen Yeung
- Global Future Council on the Future of Biotechnologies, World Economic Forum, Cologny, CH-1223, Geneva, Switzerland.,Law School and School of Computer Science University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK, B15 2TT
| | - Feng Zhang
- Global Future Council on the Future of Biotechnologies, World Economic Forum, Cologny, CH-1223, Geneva, Switzerland.,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA.,McGovern Institute for Brain Research at MIT, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.,Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences and Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Sang Yup Lee
- Global Future Council on the Future of Biotechnologies, World Economic Forum, Cologny, CH-1223, Geneva, Switzerland.,Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (BK21 Plus program), Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-Ro, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea.,The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet Bygning 220, 2800, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
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Stern JH, Tian Y, Funderburgh J, Pellegrini G, Zhang K, Goldberg JL, Ali RR, Young M, Xie Y, Temple S. Regenerating Eye Tissues to Preserve and Restore Vision. Cell Stem Cell 2018; 22:834-849. [PMID: 29859174 PMCID: PMC6492284 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2018.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Ocular regenerative therapies are on track to revolutionize treatment of numerous blinding disorders, including corneal disease, cataract, glaucoma, retinitis pigmentosa, and age-related macular degeneration. A variety of transplantable products, delivered as cell suspensions or as preformed 3D structures combining cells and natural or artificial substrates, are in the pipeline. Here we review the status of clinical and preclinical studies for stem cell-based repair, covering key eye tissues from front to back, from cornea to retina, and including bioengineering approaches that advance cell product manufacturing. While recognizing the challenges, we look forward to a deep portfolio of sight-restoring, stem cell-based medicine. VIDEO ABSTRACT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey H Stern
- Neural Stem Cell Institute, Rensselaer, NY 12144, USA; Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA
| | - Yangzi Tian
- Colleges of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, SUNY Polytechnic Institute, 257 Fuller Road, Albany, NY 12203, USA
| | - James Funderburgh
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Graziella Pellegrini
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via G.Gottardi 100, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Kang Zhang
- Shiley Eye Institute and Institute for Engineering in Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University and Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Laboratory, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Jeffrey L Goldberg
- Byers Eye Institute at Stanford University, 2452 Watson Court, Palo Alto, CA 94303, USA
| | - Robin R Ali
- Department of Genetics, University College London Institute of Ophthalmology, 11-43 Bath Street, London EC1V 9EL, UK; NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, City Road, London EC1V 2PD, UK; Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA
| | - Michael Young
- The Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Yubing Xie
- Colleges of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, SUNY Polytechnic Institute, 257 Fuller Road, Albany, NY 12203, USA
| | - Sally Temple
- Neural Stem Cell Institute, Rensselaer, NY 12144, USA; Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA.
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Guo P, Sun H, Zhang Y, Tighe S, Chen S, Su CW, Liu Y, Zhao H, Hu M, Zhu Y. Limbal niche cells are a potent resource of adult mesenchymal progenitors. J Cell Mol Med 2018; 22:3315-3322. [PMID: 29679460 PMCID: PMC6010802 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.13635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2018] [Accepted: 03/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Limbal niche cells located in the limbal Palisades of Vogt are mesenchymal stem cells that reside next to limbal basal epithelial cells. Limbal niche cells are progenitors that express embryonic stem cell markers such as Nanog, Nestin, Oct4, Rex1, Sox2 and SSEA4, mesenchymal cell markers such as CD73, CD90 and CD105, and angiogenesis markers such as Flk-1, CD31, CD34, VWF, PDGFRβ and α-SMA, but negative for CD45. In addition, the stemness of limbal niche cells can be maintained during their cell culture in a three-dimension environment. Furthermore, expanded limbal niche cells have the capability to undergo adipogenesis, chondrogenesis, osteogenesis and endogenesis in vitro, indicating that they are in fact a valuable resource of adult progenitors. Furthermore studies on how the limbal niche cells regulate the aforementioned stemness and corneal fate decision are warranted, as those investigations will shed new light on how mesenchymal progenitors reverse limbal stem cell deficiency and lead to new methods for limbal niche cell treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Guo
- Shenzhen Eye Hospital, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Department of Ophthalmology, School of Optometry & Ophthalmology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Hong Sun
- Department of Ophthalmology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuan Zhang
- R and D Department, Tissue Tech, Inc., Miami, FL, USA
| | - Sean Tighe
- R and D Department, Tissue Tech, Inc., Miami, FL, USA
| | | | - Chen-Wei Su
- R and D Department, Tissue Tech, Inc., Miami, FL, USA
| | - Yongsong Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Yan' An Hospital of Kunming, Kunming, China
| | - Hongxia Zhao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Yan' An Hospital of Kunming, Kunming, China
| | - Min Hu
- Department of Ophthalmology, the Second People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
| | - Yingting Zhu
- R and D Department, Tissue Tech, Inc., Miami, FL, USA
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Sun P, Shen L, Zhang C, Du L, Wu X. Promoting the expansion and function of human corneal endothelial cells with an orbital adipose-derived stem cell-conditioned medium. Stem Cell Res Ther 2017; 8:287. [PMID: 29262856 PMCID: PMC5738836 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-017-0737-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2017] [Revised: 11/16/2017] [Accepted: 11/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Corneal endothelial dysfunction causes severe impairment of vision. The only solution is corneal transplantation. However, this treatment is hampered by a worldwide shortage of donor corneas. New therapies may replace the conventional donor corneal transplantation alongside the developments in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering, but sufficient functional corneal endothelial cells (CECs) are essential. The aim of this study was to promote the expansion and function of human corneal endothelial cells (HCECs) in vitro and in vivo. METHODS The phenotypes of human orbital adipose-derived stem cells (OASCs) were detected by flow cytometry and immunofluorescence. HCECs were isolated and cultured using a conditioned medium obtained from OASCs (OASC-CM) in vitro. Related cell markers of HCECs were analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), Western blot, and immunofluorescence. The cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and the wound healing assay were performed to evaluate the proliferation ability of the cells. The cultured HCECs were then transplanted into rabbit and monkey corneal endothelial dysfunction models by cell injection. RESULTS CD29, CD105, CD49e, CD166, and vimentin were highly expressed in cultured human OASCs. The CEC-relative markers zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), Na+/K+ ATPase, N-cadherin, Col8a2, and SLC4A4 were expressed in HCECs cultured by OASC-CM. The HCECs were able to maintain polygonal cell morphology and good proliferative capacity. In animal experiments, corneal transparency was achieved after the injection of HCECs, which demonstrated the good repair capacity of the cells. CONCLUSIONS The proliferation abilities of the cells were significantly enhanced, and related functional markers were strongly positive, while HCEC morphology was maintained using OASC-CM. HCECs obtained some stem cell-like properties. This preclinical study confirmed the therapeutic ability of the HCECs in vivo. Our findings demonstrated that cultured HCECs with OASC-CM might be a promising source for research and clinical treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Sun
- Department of Ophthalmology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, People's Republic of China.,The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education and Chinese Ministry of Health, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, People's Republic of China
| | - Lin Shen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, People's Republic of China
| | - Canwei Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, People's Republic of China
| | - Liqun Du
- Department of Ophthalmology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinyi Wu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, People's Republic of China.
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Yoshihara M, Hara S, Tsujikawa M, Kawasaki S, Hayashizaki Y, Itoh M, Kawaji H, Nishida K. Restricted Presence of POU6F2 in Human Corneal Endothelial Cells Uncovered by Extension of the Promoter-level Expression Atlas. EBioMedicine 2017; 25:175-186. [PMID: 29113774 PMCID: PMC5704063 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2017.10.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2017] [Revised: 10/16/2017] [Accepted: 10/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Corneal endothelial cells (CECs) are essential for maintaining the clarity of the cornea. Because CECs have limited proliferative ability, interest is growing in their potentially therapeutic regeneration from pluripotent stem cells. However, the molecular mechanisms of human CEC differentiation remain largely unknown. To determine the key regulators of CEC characteristics, here we generated a comprehensive promoter-level expression profile of human CECs, using cap analysis of gene expression (CAGE) with a single molecule sequencer. Integration with the FANTOM5 promoter-level expression atlas, which includes transcriptome profiles of various human tissues and cells, enabled us to identify 45 promoters at 28 gene loci that are specifically expressed in CECs. We further discovered that the expression of transcription factor POU class 6 homeobox 2 (POU6F2) is restricted to CECs, and upregulated during human CEC differentiation, suggesting that POU6F2 is pivotal to terminal differentiation of CECs. These CEC-specific promoters would be useful for the assessment of fully differentiated CECs derived from pluripotent stem cells. These findings promote the development of corneal regenerative medicine. We comprehensively profiled promoter-level expression of human corneal endothelial cells. Integrative transcriptome analysis identified 28 corneal endothelial cell-specific marker genes. POU6F2 expression is restricted to corneal endothelial cells, and upregulated during differentiation.
Corneal endothelial cells (CECs) are essential for maintaining corneal transparency. Owing to the high prevalence of corneal endothelial disorders, CECs are important targets in regenerative medicine. However, it has been difficult to evaluate the final CEC products owing to the lack of appropriate CEC-specific markers. In this study, we identified 28 CEC-specific marker genes by integrative transcriptome analysis. One gene of particular interest, POU6F2, is expressed almost exclusively in CECs, and upregulated during differentiation. These markers would be useful for the assessment of CECs derived from pluripotent stem cells, and this study will facilitate the translation of corneal regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahito Yoshihara
- Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; Division of Genomic Technologies, RIKEN Center for Life Science Technologies, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan
| | - Susumu Hara
- Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; Department of Stem Cells and Applied Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Motokazu Tsujikawa
- Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; Department of Visual Regenerative Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Satoshi Kawasaki
- Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; Department of Ocular Immunology and Regenerative Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Yoshihide Hayashizaki
- RIKEN Preventive Medicine and Diagnosis Innovation Program, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Masayoshi Itoh
- Division of Genomic Technologies, RIKEN Center for Life Science Technologies, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan; RIKEN Preventive Medicine and Diagnosis Innovation Program, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Hideya Kawaji
- Division of Genomic Technologies, RIKEN Center for Life Science Technologies, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan; RIKEN Preventive Medicine and Diagnosis Innovation Program, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan; Preventive Medicine and Applied Genomics Unit, RIKEN Advanced Center for Computing and Communication, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan.
| | - Kohji Nishida
- Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
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Therapy of corneal endothelial dysfunction with corneal endothelial cell-like cells derived from skin-derived precursors. Sci Rep 2017; 7:13400. [PMID: 29042661 PMCID: PMC5645363 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-13787-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2017] [Accepted: 10/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Corneal endothelial dysfunction occurs when corneal endothelial cells (CECs) are dramatically lost and eventually results in vision loss. Corneal transplantation is the only solution at present. However, corneal transplantation requires a fresh human cornea and there is a worldwide shortage of donors. Therefore, finding new functional CECs to replace human CECs is urgent. Skin-derived precursors (SKPs) can be easily acquired and have multiple differential potential. We co-cultured human SKPs with B4G12 cells in serum-free medium and obtained abundant CEC-like cells which had similar morphology and characteristic to human CECs. CEC-like cells exerted excellent therapeutic effect when they were transplanted into rabbit and monkey corneal endothelial dysfunction models by injection method. This protocol enables efficient production of CEC-like cells from SKPs. The renewable cell source, novel derivation method and simple treatment strategy may lead to potential applications in cell replacement therapy for corneal endothelial dysfunction.
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49
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Fang HW, Li LT, Teng SC, Wang TJ. Application of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells to Observe the Morphological Changes by Induction with Decellularized Corneal Extracellular Matrix and Specified Medium. J Med Biol Eng 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s40846-017-0268-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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50
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He N, Wang Y, Zhang C, Wang M, Wang Y, Zuo Q, Zhang Y, Li B. Wnt signaling pathway regulates differentiation of chicken embryonic stem cells into spermatogonial stem cells via Wnt5a. J Cell Biochem 2017; 119:1689-1701. [PMID: 28786525 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.26329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2017] [Accepted: 08/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
In this study, we investigated the mechanism of signaling pathway-mediated differentiation of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) into spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) in chicken. The Wnt signaling pathway was identified based on previous RNA Sequencing results and was proven a crucial signaling pathway that participates in the differentiation of ESCs into SSCs. In retinoic acid (RA) induction experiments in vitro, we found that Wnt signaling expression was inhibited by Wnt5a-shRNA, resulting in decreased expression of corresponding marker genes in SSCs, C-kit, Cvh, integrin α6 and integrin β1, but it was significantly promoted by RA treatment. Immunofluorescence assay showed that percentage of C-kit, Cvh, and integrin α6 and integrin β1-positive cells in RA treatment group and Wnt5a overexpression group was significantly higher than that in Wnt5a signaling interference group. Results of fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis (FACS) also showed that proportion of germ-like cells was reduced by 14.3% (from 18.3% to 4.0%) at day 4 and 15.4% (from 18.6% to 3.2%) at day 12 after transfection, respectively. In experiments in vivo, shRNA-Wnt5a was stably expressed in fertilized chicken embryos and significantly reduced germ cell formation by 11.3% (from 21.7% to 10.4%) and 3.7% (6.4% from 10.1%). Results of quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blot assays showed that the expression of some specific germ cell marker genes, integrin α6 and integrin β1, was significantly suppressed following Wnt5a signaling interference in vivo. Taken together, our study suggests that Wnt signaling pathway could regulate positively the differentiation of chicken ESCs into SSCs through Wnt5a.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nana He
- Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding Reproduction and Molecular Design for Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, YangZhou University, YangZhou, P. R. China
| | - Yilin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding Reproduction and Molecular Design for Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, YangZhou University, YangZhou, P. R. China
| | - Chen Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding Reproduction and Molecular Design for Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, YangZhou University, YangZhou, P. R. China
| | - Man Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding Reproduction and Molecular Design for Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, YangZhou University, YangZhou, P. R. China
| | - Yingjie Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding Reproduction and Molecular Design for Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, YangZhou University, YangZhou, P. R. China
| | - Qisheng Zuo
- Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding Reproduction and Molecular Design for Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, YangZhou University, YangZhou, P. R. China
| | - Yani Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding Reproduction and Molecular Design for Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, YangZhou University, YangZhou, P. R. China
| | - Bichun Li
- Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding Reproduction and Molecular Design for Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, YangZhou University, YangZhou, P. R. China
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