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Li ZB, Liu J, Xu YN, Sun XM, Peng YH, Zhao Q, Lin YA, Huang YR, Ren L. Hydrophilic, Porous, Fiber-Reinforced Collagen-Based Membrane for Corneal Repair. Macromol Biosci 2024; 24:e2300449. [PMID: 38178686 DOI: 10.1002/mabi.202300449] [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: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Collagen membrane with outstanding biocompatibility exhibits immense potential in the field of corneal repair and reconstruction, but the poor mechanical properties limit its clinical application. Polycaprolactone (PCL) is a biodegradable polymer widely explored for application in corneal reconstruction due to its excellent mechanical properties, biocompatibility, easy processability, and flexibility. In this study, a PCL/collagen composite membrane with reinforced mechanical properties is developed. The membrane has a strong composite structure with collagen by utilizing a porous and hydrophilic PCL scaffold, maintaining its integrity even after immersion. The suture retention and mechanical tests demonstrate that compared with the pure collagen membrane, the prepared membrane has a greater tensile strength and twice the modulus of elasticity. Further, the suture retention strength is improved by almost two times. In addition, the membrane remains fully intact on the implant bed in an in vitro corneal defect model. Moreover, the membrane can be tightly sutured to a rabbit corneal defect, progressively achieve epithelialization, and remain unchanged during observation. Overall, the PCL/collagen composite membrane is a promising candidate as a suturable corneal restoration material in clinical keratoplasty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Biao Li
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
- National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Guangdong Province, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials and Engineering of the Ministry of Education, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
- Innovation Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
| | - Jia Liu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
- National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Guangdong Province, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials and Engineering of the Ministry of Education, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
- Innovation Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
| | - Ying-Ni Xu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
- National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Guangdong Province, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials and Engineering of the Ministry of Education, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
- Innovation Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
| | - Xiao-Min Sun
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
- National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Guangdong Province, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials and Engineering of the Ministry of Education, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
- Innovation Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
| | - Yue-Hai Peng
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
- National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Guangdong Province, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials and Engineering of the Ministry of Education, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
- Bio-land Laboratory (Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory), Guangzhou, 510005, P. R. China
- Guangzhou Proud Seeing Biotechnology Co., Ltd, Guangzhou, 510300, P. R. China
| | - Qi Zhao
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
- National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Guangdong Province, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials and Engineering of the Ministry of Education, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
- Innovation Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
| | - Yong-An Lin
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
- National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Guangdong Province, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials and Engineering of the Ministry of Education, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
- Innovation Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
| | - Yong-Rui Huang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
- National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Guangdong Province, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials and Engineering of the Ministry of Education, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
- Innovation Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
| | - Li Ren
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
- National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Guangdong Province, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials and Engineering of the Ministry of Education, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
- Innovation Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
- Bio-land Laboratory (Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory), Guangzhou, 510005, P. R. China
- Guangzhou Proud Seeing Biotechnology Co., Ltd, Guangzhou, 510300, P. R. China
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Pal P, Sambhakar S, Paliwal S, Kumar S, Kalsi V. Biofabrication paradigms in corneal regeneration: bridging bioprinting techniques, natural bioinks, and stem cell therapeutics. JOURNAL OF BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE. POLYMER EDITION 2024; 35:717-755. [PMID: 38214998 DOI: 10.1080/09205063.2024.2301817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
Corneal diseases are a major cause of vision loss worldwide. Traditional methods like corneal transplants from donors are effective but face challenges like limited donor availability and the risk of graft rejection. Therefore, new treatment methods are essential. This review examines the growing field of bioprinting and biofabrication in corneal tissue engineering. We begin by discussing various bioprinting methods such as stereolithography, inkjet, and extrusion printing, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses for eye-related uses. We also explore how biological tissues are made suitable for bioprinting through a process called decellularization, which can be achieved using chemical, physical, or biological methods. The review then looks at natural materials, known as bioinks, used in bioprinting. We focus on materials like gelatin, collagen, fibrin, chitin, chitosan, silk fibroin, and alginate, examining their mechanical and biological properties. The importance of hydrogel scaffolds, particularly those based on collagen and other materials, is also discussed in the context of repairing corneal tissue. Another key area we cover is the use of stem cells in corneal regeneration. We pay special attention to limbal epithelial stem cells and mesenchymal stromal cells, highlighting their roles in this process. The review concludes with an overview of the latest advancements in corneal tissue bioprinting, from early techniques to advanced methods of delivering stem cells using bioengineered materials. In summary, this review presents the current state and future potential of bioprinting and biofabrication in creating functional corneal tissues, highlighting new developments and ongoing challenges with a view towards restoring vision.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pankaj Pal
- Department of Pharmacy, Banasthali Vidyapith, Radha Kishnpura, Rajasthan, India
| | - Sharda Sambhakar
- Department of Pharmacy, Banasthali Vidyapith, Radha Kishnpura, Rajasthan, India
| | - Shailendra Paliwal
- Department of Pharmacy, L.L.R.M Medical College, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Shobhit Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Meerut Institute of Engineering and Technology, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Vandna Kalsi
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, India
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Kérourédan O, Washio A, Handschin C, Devillard R, Kokabu S, Kitamura C, Tabata Y. Bioactive gelatin-sheets as novel biopapers to support prevascularization organized by laser-assisted bioprinting for bone tissue engineering. Biomed Mater 2024; 19:025038. [PMID: 38324892 DOI: 10.1088/1748-605x/ad270a] [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: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Despite significant advances in the management of patients with oral cancer, maxillofacial reconstruction after ablative surgery remains a clinical challenge. In bone tissue engineering, biofabrication strategies have been proposed as promising alternatives to solve issues associated with current therapies and to produce bone substitutes that mimic both the structure and function of native bone. Among them, laser-assisted bioprinting (LAB) has emerged as a relevant biofabrication method to print living cells and biomaterials with micrometric resolution onto a receiving substrate, also called 'biopaper'. Recent studies have demonstrated the benefits of prevascularization using LAB to promote vascularization and bone regeneration, but mechanical and biological optimization of the biopaper are needed. The aim of this study was to apply gelatin-sheet fabrication process to the development of a novel biopaper able to support prevascularization organized by LAB for bone tissue engineering applications. Gelatin-based sheets incorporating bioactive glasses (BGs) were produced using various freezing methods and crosslinking (CL) parameters. The different formulations were characterized in terms of microstructural, physical, mechanical, and biological properties in monoculture and coculture. Based on multi-criteria analysis, a rank scoring method was used to identify the most relevant formulations. The selected biopaper underwent additional characterization regarding its ability to support mineralization and vasculogenesis, its bioactivity potential andin vivodegradability. The biopaper 'Gel5wt% BG1wt%-slow freezing-CL160 °C 24 h' was selected as the best candidate, due to its suitable properties including high porosity (91.69 ± 1.55%), swelling ratio (91.61 ± 0.60%), Young modulus (3.97 × 104± 0.97 × 104Pa) but also its great cytocompatibility, osteogenesis and bioactivity properties. The preorganization of human umbilical vein endothelial cell using LAB onto this new biopaper led to the formation of microvascular networks. This biopaper was also shown to be compatible with 3D-molding and 3D-stacking strategies. This work allowed the development of a novel biopaper adapted to LAB with great potential for vascularized bone biofabrication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Kérourédan
- INSERM, U1026 BIOTIS, University of Bordeaux, 146 rue Léo Saignat, Bordeaux 33076, France
- Faculty of Dentistry, University of Bordeaux, 146 rue Léo Saignat, Bordeaux 33076, France
- CHU de Bordeaux, Pôle de Médecine et Chirurgie bucco-dentaire, Place Amélie Raba Léon, Bordeaux 33076, France
- CHU de Bordeaux, CCMR MOC-Maladies Osseuses Constitutionnelles, Place Amélie Raba Léon, Bordeaux 33076, France
- CHU de Bordeaux, CCMR O-Rares-Maladies Rares Orales et Dentaires, Place Amélie Raba Léon, Bordeaux 33076, France
- Laboratory of Biomaterials, Department of Regeneration Science and Engineering, Institute for Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Ayako Washio
- Division of Endodontics and Restorative Dentistry, Department of Science of Oral Functions, Kyushu Dental University, 2-6-1 Manazuru, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu 803-8580, Japan
| | - Charles Handschin
- ART BioPrint, INSERM, U1026 BIOTIS, University of Bordeaux, 146 rue Léo Saignat, Bordeaux 33076, France
| | - Raphaël Devillard
- INSERM, U1026 BIOTIS, University of Bordeaux, 146 rue Léo Saignat, Bordeaux 33076, France
- Faculty of Dentistry, University of Bordeaux, 146 rue Léo Saignat, Bordeaux 33076, France
- CHU de Bordeaux, Pôle de Médecine et Chirurgie bucco-dentaire, Place Amélie Raba Léon, Bordeaux 33076, France
- CHU de Bordeaux, CCMR MOC-Maladies Osseuses Constitutionnelles, Place Amélie Raba Léon, Bordeaux 33076, France
- CHU de Bordeaux, CCMR O-Rares-Maladies Rares Orales et Dentaires, Place Amélie Raba Léon, Bordeaux 33076, France
| | - Shoichiro Kokabu
- Division of Molecular Signaling and Biochemistry, Department of Health Improvement, Kyushu Dental University, 2-6-1 Manazuru, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu 803-8580, Japan
| | - Chiaki Kitamura
- Division of Endodontics and Restorative Dentistry, Department of Science of Oral Functions, Kyushu Dental University, 2-6-1 Manazuru, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu 803-8580, Japan
| | - Yasuhiko Tabata
- Laboratory of Biomaterials, Department of Regeneration Science and Engineering, Institute for Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
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Zhang X, Wang H, Sun X, Zhao L, Li T, Qi X, Wang T, Zhou Q, Shi W. Development of Thermoplastic Polyurethane Films for the Replacement of Corneal Endothelial Function of Transparency Maintenance. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2023; 6:5458-5469. [PMID: 37967451 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.3c00681] [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: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
Endothelial keratoplasty is the main surgical procedure for treating corneal endothelial dysfunction (CED), which is limited by the global shortage of donor corneas. Herein, we developed and evaluated the modified thermoplastic polyurethane (M-TPU) films with gelatin-glycidyl methacrylate to replace the corneal endothelial function and maintain corneal transparency. The films displayed comparable light transmission characteristics with normal corneas and clinically favorable mechanical properties for surgical manipulation. After surface modification, the hydrophilicity and biocompatibility of M-TPU films were significantly improved. In the rabbit CED model, the M-TPU implants exhibited firm adhesion to the exposed stromal surface. The rabbit corneal transparency and thickness could be restored completely within 1 week of M-TPU film implantation. There was no significant inflammatory reaction and immune rejection during the follow-up of 1 month. Proteomic analysis suggested that the complement inhibition, the increase of mineral absorption, and the decrease of P53 apoptosis signaling pathway and lysine degradation might be beneficial in maintaining the corneal transparency. Overall, our study demonstrated the potential of M-TPU films as artificial implants for the replacement of corneal endothelial function to restore corneal thickness and transparency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao 266000, China
- Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Eye Hospital), Jinan 250000, China
- School of Ophthalmology, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan 250000, China
| | - Hongwei Wang
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao 266000, China
| | - Xiuli Sun
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao 266000, China
| | - Long Zhao
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao 266000, China
| | - Tan Li
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao 266000, China
| | - Xia Qi
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao 266000, China
| | - Ting Wang
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao 266000, China
- Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Eye Hospital), Jinan 250000, China
- School of Ophthalmology, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan 250000, China
| | - Qingjun Zhou
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao 266000, China
| | - Weiyun Shi
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao 266000, China
- Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Eye Hospital), Jinan 250000, China
- School of Ophthalmology, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan 250000, 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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Zhu YT, Tighe S, Chen SL, Zhang Y, Chen SY, Kao WWY, Tseng SCG. Manufacturing of human corneal endothelial grafts. Ocul Surf 2023; 29:301-310. [PMID: 37268293 PMCID: PMC10529356 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtos.2023.05.004] [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: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Human corneal endothelial cells (HCECs) play a significant role in maintaining visual function. However, these cells are notorious for their limited proliferative capacity in vivo. Current treatment of corneal endothelial dysfunction resorts to corneal transplantation. Herein we describe an ex vivo engineering method to manufacture HCEC grafts suitable for transplantation through reprogramming into neural crest progenitors. METHODS HCECs were isolated by collagenase A from stripped Descemet membrane of cadaveric corneoscleral rims, and induced reprogramming via knockdown with p120 and Kaiso siRNAs on collagen IV-coated atelocollagen. Engineered HCEC grafts were released after assessing their identity, potency, viability, purity and sterility. Phase contrast was used for monitoring cell shape, graft size, and cell density. Immunostaining was used to determine the normal HCEC phenotype with expression of N-cadherin, ZO-1, ATPase, acetyl-α-tubulin, γ-tubulin, p75NTR, α-catenin, β-catenin, and F-actin. Stability of manufactured HCEC graft was evaluated after transit and storage for up to 3 weeks. The pump function of HCEC grafts was measured by lactate efflux. RESULTS One HCEC graft suitable for corneal transplantation was generated from 1/8th of the donor corneoscleral rim with normal hexagonal cell shape, density, and phenotype. The manufactured grafts were stable for up to 3 weeks at 37 °C or up to 1 week at 22 °C in MESCM medium and after transcontinental shipping at room temperature by retaining normal morphology (hexagonal, >2000 cells/mm2, >8 mm diameter), phenotype, and pump function. CONCLUSIONS This regenerative strategy through knockdown with p120 and Kaiso siRNAs can be used to manufacture HCEC grafts with normal phenotype, morphology and pump function following prolonged storage and shipping.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sean Tighe
- R&D Department, BioTissue, Miami, FL, 33126, USA
| | | | - Yuan Zhang
- R&D Department, BioTissue, Miami, FL, 33126, USA
| | - Szu-Yu Chen
- R&D Department, BioTissue, Miami, FL, 33126, USA
| | - Winston W Y Kao
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Cincinnati, 2600 Clifton Ave, Cincinnati, OH, 45220, USA
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Jiang L, Dong X, Chen L, Han R, Hao P, Wang L, Gao J, Chen X, Li X. A composite hydrogel membrane with shape and water retention for corneal tissue engineering. Heliyon 2023; 9:e17950. [PMID: 37539164 PMCID: PMC10395283 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e17950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Tissue engineering (TE) cornea is one of the most potential alternatives to the shortage of corneal donors in cornea transplantation. Sodium alginate (SA) hydrogel is commonly used as scaffold in TE. Herein, we present an approach to construct a composite hydrogel, which with SA fiber skeleton structure for shape retention and gelatin surface modification for water retention. The light transmittance, water retention rate, and swelling rate of hydrogels were characterized, and the tensile mechanical properties were also investigated. Keratinocytes were treated with material extract liquor and the results showed that the gelatin modified SA hydrogel has good cytocompatibility. Furthermore, human corneal stromal fibroblasts (HCSFs) from the lenticules were implanted on the surface of gels, and the SA-gelatin hydrogel significantly improved the adhesion and spreading of HCSFs. Finally, we discussed the improvement and application prospect of the composite hydrogel as cornea equivalents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Jiang
- Clinical Collage of Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Tianjin Eye Institute, Tianjin Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Nankai University Affiliated Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaoli Dong
- Clinical Collage of Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Tianjin Eye Institute, Tianjin Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Nankai University Affiliated Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Luxia Chen
- Clinical Collage of Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Tianjin Eye Institute, Tianjin Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Nankai University Affiliated Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Ruifang Han
- Clinical Collage of Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Tianjin Eye Institute, Tianjin Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Nankai University Affiliated Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Pen Hao
- Clinical Collage of Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Tianjin Eye Institute, Tianjin Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Nankai University Affiliated Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Liming Wang
- Clinical Collage of Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Tianjin Eye Institute, Tianjin Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Nankai University Affiliated Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Juan Gao
- Clinical Collage of Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Tianjin Eye Institute, Tianjin Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Nankai University Affiliated Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Xi Chen
- Clinical Collage of Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Tianjin Eye Institute, Tianjin Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Nankai University Affiliated Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Xuan Li
- Clinical Collage of Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Tianjin Eye Institute, Tianjin Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Nankai University Affiliated Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China
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8
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Hazra S, Dey S, Mandal BB, Ramachandran C. In Vitro Profiling of the Extracellular Matrix and Integrins Expressed by Human Corneal Endothelial Cells Cultured on Silk Fibroin-Based Matrices. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2023; 9:2438-2451. [PMID: 37023465 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.2c01566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
Developing a scaffold for culturing human corneal endothelial (HCE) cells is crucial as an alternative cell therapeutic approach to bridge the growing gap between the demand and availability of healthy donor corneas for transplantation. Silk films are promising substrates for the culture of these cells; however, their tensile strength is several-fold greater than the native basement membrane which can possibly influence the dynamics of cell-matrix interaction and the extracellular matrix (ECM) secreted by the cells in long-term culture. In our current study, we assessed the secretion of ECM and the expression of integrins by the HCE cells on Philosamia ricini (PR) and Antheraea assamensis (AA) silk films and fibronectin-collagen (FNC)-coated plastic dishes to understand the cell-ECM interaction in long-term culture. The expression of ECM proteins (collagens 1, 4, 8, and 12, laminin, and fibronectin) on silk was comparable to that on the native tissue. The thicknesses of collagen 8 and laminin at 30 days on both PR (4.78 ± 0.55 and 5.53 ± 0.51 μm, respectively) and AA (4.66 ± 0.72 and 5.71 ± 0.61 μm, respectively) were comparable with those of the native tissue (4.4 ± 0.63 and 5.28 ± 0.72 μm, respectively). The integrin expression by the cells on the silk films was also comparable to that on the native tissue, except for α3 whose fluorescence intensity was significantly higher on PR (p ≤ 0.01) and AA (p ≤ 0.001), compared to that on the native tissue. This study shows that the higher tensile strength of the silk films does not alter the ECM secretion or cell phenotype in long-term culture, confirming the suitability of using this material for engineering the HCE cells for transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swatilekha Hazra
- Hyderabad Eye Research Foundation, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad 500034, India
- Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, India
| | - Souradeep Dey
- Centre for Nanotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, Assam, India
| | - Biman B Mandal
- Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering Laboratory, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, Assam, India
- Centre for Nanotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, Assam, India
- Jyoti and Bhupat Mehta School of Health Sciences & Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, Assam, India
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9
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Park JH, Lee K, Park CY. Effect of Magnetic Microparticles on Cultivated Human Corneal Endothelial Cells. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2023; 12:14. [PMID: 36757343 PMCID: PMC9924430 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.12.2.14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose To investigate effects of magnetic microparticles on movement of magnet controlled human corneal endothelial cells (HCECs). Methods Immortalized HCEC line (B4G12) and primary culture of HCECs were exposed to two commercially available magnetic micro- or nanoparticles, SiMAG (average size 100 nm) and fluidMAG (average size <1000 nm). Cell viability assays and reactive oxygen species production assays were performed. Cellular structural changes, intracellular distribution of microparticles, and expression levels of proteins related to cellular survival were analyzed. Ex vivo human corneas were exposed to microparticles to further evaluate their effects. Magnetic particle-laden HCECs were cultured under the influence of a neodymium magnet. Results No significant decrease of viability was found in HCECs after exposure to both magnetic particles at concentrations up to 20 µg/mL for 48 hours. However, high concentrations (40 µg/mL and 80 µg/mL) of SiMAG and FluidMAG significantly decreased viability in immortalized HCECs, and only 80 µg/mL of SiMAG and FluidMAG decreased viability in primary HCECs after 48 hours of exposure. There was relative stability of viability at various concentrations of magnetic particles, despite a dose-dependent increase of reactive oxygen species, lactate dehydrogenase, and markers of apoptosis. Ex vivo human cornea study further revealed that exposure to 20 µg/mL of SiMAG and fluidMAG for 72 hours was tolerable. Endocytosed magnetic particles were mainly localized in the cytoplasm. The application of a magnetic field during cell culture successfully demonstrated that magnetic particle-loaded HCECs moved toward the magnet area and that the population density of HCECs was significantly increased. Conclusions We verified short-term effects of SiMAG and fluidMAG on HCECs and their ability to control movement of HCECs by an external magnetic field. Translational Relevance A technology of applying magnetic particles to a human corneal endothelial cell culture and controlling the movement of cells to a desired area using a magnetic field could be used to increase cell density during cell culture or improve the localization of corneal endothelial cells injected into the anterior chamber to the back of the cornea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joo-Hee Park
- Department of Ophthalmology, Dongguk University, Ilsan Hospital, Goyang, South Korea
| | - Kangmin Lee
- Department of Ophthalmology, Dongguk University, Ilsan Hospital, Goyang, South Korea
| | - Choul Yong Park
- Department of Ophthalmology, Dongguk University, Ilsan Hospital, Goyang, South Korea
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10
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Chew LA, Jun AS, Barnett BP. Corneal endothelial transplantation from bench to bedside: A review of animal models and their translational value for therapeutic development. Exp Eye Res 2022; 224:109241. [PMID: 36075460 PMCID: PMC10782848 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2022.109241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lindsey A Chew
- Duke University, School of Medicine, 40 Duke Medicine Circle, 124 Davison Building, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Albert S Jun
- Wilmer Eye Institute, 1800 Orleans St., Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Brad P Barnett
- California LASIK & Eye, 1111 Exposition Blvd., Bldg. 200 Ste. 2000, Sacramento, CA, 95815, USA.
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11
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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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12
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Recent Trends in Drug Delivery and Emerging Biomedical Applications of Gelatin for Ophthalmic Indications. Macromol Res 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s13233-022-0078-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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13
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Parekh M, Wongvisavavit R, Cubero Cortes ZM, Wojcik G, Romano V, Tabernero SS, Ferrari S, Ahmad S. Alternatives to endokeratoplasty: an attempt towards reducing global demand of human donor corneas. Regen Med 2022; 17:461-475. [PMID: 35481361 DOI: 10.2217/rme-2021-0149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The cornea is an anterior transparent tissue of the eye that enables the transmission of surrounding light to the back of the eye, which is essential for maintaining clear vision. Corneal endothelial diseases can lead to partial or total blindness; hence, surgical replacement of the diseased corneal tissue with a healthy cadaveric donor graft becomes necessary when the endothelium is damaged. Keratoplasties face a huge challenge due to a worldwide shortage in the supply of human donor corneas. Hence, alternative solutions such as cell or tissue engineering-based therapies have been investigated for reducing the global demand of donor corneas. This review aims at highlighting studies that have been successful at replacing partial or total endothelial keratoplasty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohit Parekh
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, EC1V 9EL,UK
| | - Rintra Wongvisavavit
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, EC1V 9EL,UK.,Faculty of Medicine & Public Health, HRH Princess Chulabhorn College of Medical Science, Chulabhorn Royal Academy, Bangkok, 10210, Thailand
| | | | - Gabriela Wojcik
- International Center for Ocular Physiopathology, Fondazione Banca degli Occhi del Veneto Onlus, Venice, 30174, Italy
| | - Vito Romano
- St Paul's Eye Unit, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool, L7 8XP, UK.,Department of Ageing & Chronic Diseases, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L7 8XL, UK
| | - Sara Sanchez Tabernero
- Cornea & external eye disease, Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Trust Foundation, London, EC1V 2PD, UK
| | - Stefano Ferrari
- International Center for Ocular Physiopathology, Fondazione Banca degli Occhi del Veneto Onlus, Venice, 30174, Italy
| | - Sajjad Ahmad
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, EC1V 9EL,UK.,Cornea & external eye disease, Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Trust Foundation, London, EC1V 2PD, UK
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14
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Song ES, Park JH, Ha SS, Cha PH, Kang JT, Park CY, Park K. Novel Corneal Endothelial Cell Carrier Couples a Biodegradable Polymer and a Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Extracellular Matrix. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:12116-12129. [PMID: 35238557 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c01709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Here, we report a transparent, biodegradable, and cell-adhesive carrier that is securely coupled with the extracellular matrix (ECM) for corneal endothelial cell (CEC) transplantation. To fabricate a CEC carrier, poly(lactide-co-caprolactone) (PLCL) solution was poured onto the decellularized ECM (UMDM) derived from in vitro cultured umbilical cord blood-MSCs. Once completely dried, ECM-PLCL was then peeled off from the substrate. It was 20 μm thick, transparent, rich in fibronectin and collagen type IV, and easy to handle. Surface characterizations exhibited that ECM-PLCL was very rough (54.0 ± 4.50 nm) and uniformly covered in high density by ECM and retained a positive surface charge (65.2 ± 57.8 mV), as assessed via atomic force microscopy. Human CECs (B4G12) on the ECM-PLCL showed good cell attachment, with a cell density similar to the normal cornea. They could also maintain a cell phenotype, with nicely formed cell-cell junctions as assessed via ZO-1 and N-cadherin at 14 days. This was in sharp contrast to the CEC behaviors on the FNC-coated PLCL (positive control). A function-related marker, Na+/K+-ATPase, was also identified via western blot and immunofluorescence. In addition, primary rabbit CECs showed a normal shape and they could express structural and functional proteins on the ECM-PLCL. A simulation test confirmed that CECs loaded on the ECM-PLCL were successfully engrafted into the decellularized porcine corneal tissue, with a high engraftment level and cell viability. Moreover, ECM-PLCL transplantation into the anterior chamber of the rabbit eye for 8 weeks proved the maintenance of normal cornea properties. Taken together, this study demonstrates that our ECM-PLCL can be a promising cornea endothelium graft with an excellent ECM microenvironment for CECs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eui Sun Song
- Center for Biomaterials, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
- Division of Bio-Medical Science and Technology, KIST School, University of Science and Technology (UST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Joo-Hee Park
- Department of Ophthalmology, Dongguk University Ilsan Hospital, Goyang 10326, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Su Ha
- Center for Biomaterials, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
- Division of Bio-Medical Science and Technology, KIST School, University of Science and Technology (UST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Pu-Hyeon Cha
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Mgenplus Co., Ltd., Seoul 06688, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Taek Kang
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Mgenplus Co., Ltd., Seoul 06688, Republic of Korea
| | - Choul Yong Park
- Department of Ophthalmology, Dongguk University Ilsan Hospital, Goyang 10326, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwideok Park
- Center for Biomaterials, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
- Division of Bio-Medical Science and Technology, KIST School, University of Science and Technology (UST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
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15
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Hussain NA, Figueiredo FC, Connon CJ. Use of biomaterials in corneal endothelial repair. Ther Adv Ophthalmol 2022; 13:25158414211058249. [PMID: 34988369 PMCID: PMC8721373 DOI: 10.1177/25158414211058249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Human corneal endothelium (HCE) is a single layer of hexagonal cells that lines the posterior surface of the cornea. It forms the barrier that separates the aqueous humor from the rest of the corneal layers (stroma and epithelium layer). This layer plays a fundamental role in maintaining the hydration and transparency of the cornea, which in turn ensures a clear vision. In vivo, human corneal endothelial cells (HCECs) are generally believed to be nonproliferating. In many cases, due to their nonproliferative nature, any damage to these cells can lead to further issues with Descemet’s membrane (DM), stroma and epithelium which may ultimately lead to hazy vision and blindness. Endothelial keratoplasties such as Descemet’s stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) and Descemet’s membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DEK) are the standard surgeries routinely used to restore vision following endothelial failure. Basically, these two similar surgical techniques involve the replacement of the diseased endothelial layer in the center of the cornea by a healthy layer taken from a donor cornea. Globally, eye banks are facing an increased demand to provide corneas that have suitable features for transplantation. Consequently, it can be stated that there is a significant shortage of corneal grafting tissue; for every 70 corneas required, only 1 is available. Nowadays, eye banks face long waiting lists due to shortage of donors, seriously aggravated when compared with previous years, due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, there is an urgent need to find alternative and more sustainable sources for treating endothelial diseases, such as utilizing bioengineering to use of biomaterials as a remedy. The current review focuses on the use of biomaterials to repair the corneal endothelium. A range of biomaterials have been considered based on their promising results and outstanding features, including previous studies and their key findings in the context of each biomaterial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noor Ahmed Hussain
- University of Jeddah, Jeddah, Saudi ArabiaBiosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Francisco C Figueiredo
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UKDepartment of Ophthalmology, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Che J Connon
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK
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16
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Spinozzi D, Miron A, Bruinsma M, Dapena I, Kocaba V, Jager MJ, Melles GRJ, Ni Dhubhghaill S, Oellerich S. New developments in corneal endothelial cell replacement. Acta Ophthalmol 2021; 99:712-729. [PMID: 33369235 DOI: 10.1111/aos.14722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Corneal transplantation is currently the most effective treatment to restore corneal clarity in patients with endothelial disorders. Endothelial transplantation, either by Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) or by Descemet stripping (automated) endothelial keratoplasty (DS(A)EK), is a surgical approach that replaces diseased Descemet membrane and endothelium with tissue from a healthy donor eye. Its application, however, is limited by the availability of healthy donor tissue. To increase the pool of endothelial grafts, research has focused on developing new treatment options as alternatives to conventional corneal transplantation. These treatment options can be considered as either 'surgery-based', that is tissue-efficient modifications of the current techniques (e.g. Descemet stripping only (DSO)/Descemetorhexis without endothelial keratoplasty (DWEK) and Quarter-DMEK), or 'cell-based' approaches, which rely on in vitro expansion of human corneal endothelial cells (hCEC) (i.e. cultured corneal endothelial cell sheet transplantation and cell injection). In this review, we will focus on the most recent developments in the field of the 'cell-based' approaches. Starting with the description of aspects involved in the isolation of hCEC from donor tissue, we then describe the different natural and bioengineered carriers currently used in endothelial cell sheet transplantation, and finally, we discuss the current 'state of the art' in novel therapeutic approaches such as endothelial cell injection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Spinozzi
- Netherlands Institute for Innovative Ocular Surgery Rotterdam The Netherlands
| | - Alina Miron
- Netherlands Institute for Innovative Ocular Surgery Rotterdam The Netherlands
| | - Marieke Bruinsma
- Netherlands Institute for Innovative Ocular Surgery Rotterdam The Netherlands
| | - Isabel Dapena
- Netherlands Institute for Innovative Ocular Surgery Rotterdam The Netherlands
- Melles Cornea Clinic Rotterdam The Netherlands
| | - Viridiana Kocaba
- Netherlands Institute for Innovative Ocular Surgery Rotterdam The Netherlands
- Melles Cornea Clinic Rotterdam The Netherlands
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Group Singapore Eye Research Institute Singapore Singapore
| | - Martine J. Jager
- Department of Ophthalmology Leiden University Medical Center Leiden The Netherlands
| | - Gerrit R. J. Melles
- Netherlands Institute for Innovative Ocular Surgery Rotterdam The Netherlands
- Melles Cornea Clinic Rotterdam The Netherlands
- Amnitrans EyeBank Rotterdam The Netherlands
| | - Sorcha Ni Dhubhghaill
- Netherlands Institute for Innovative Ocular Surgery Rotterdam The Netherlands
- Melles Cornea Clinic Rotterdam The Netherlands
- Antwerp University Hospital (UZA) Edegem Belgium
| | - Silke Oellerich
- Netherlands Institute for Innovative Ocular Surgery Rotterdam The Netherlands
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17
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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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18
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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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19
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New Horizons in the Treatment of Corneal Endothelial Dysfunction. J Ophthalmol 2021; 2021:6644114. [PMID: 34306743 PMCID: PMC8285186 DOI: 10.1155/2021/6644114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The treatment of corneal endothelial dysfunction has experienced a revolutionary change in the past decades with the emergence of endothelial keratoplasty techniques: descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) and descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK). Recently, new treatments such as cultivated endothelial cell therapy, Rho-kinase inhibitors (ROCK inhibitors), bioengineered grafts, and gene therapy have been described. These techniques represent new lines of treatment for endothelial dysfunction. Their advantages are to help address the shortage of quality endothelial tissue, decrease the complications associated with tissue rejection, and reduce the burden of postoperative care following transplantation. Although further randomized clinical trials are required to validate these findings and prove the long-term efficacy of the treatments, the positive outcomes in preliminary clinical studies are a stepping stone to a promising future. Our aim is to review the latest available alternatives and advancements to endothelial corneal transplant.
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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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Khosravimelal S, Mobaraki M, Eftekhari S, Ahearne M, Seifalian AM, Gholipourmalekabadi M. Hydrogels as Emerging Materials for Cornea Wound Healing. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2021; 17:e2006335. [PMID: 33887108 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202006335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Hydrogel biomaterials have many favorable characteristics including tuneable mechanical behavior, cytocompatibility, optical properties suitable for regeneration and restoration of the damaged cornea tissue. The cornea is a tissue susceptible to various injuries and traumas with a complicated healing cascade, in which conserving its transparency and integrity is critical. Accordingly, the hydrogels' known properties along with the stimulation of nerve and cell regeneration make them ideal scaffold for corneal tissue engineering. Hydrogels have been used extensively in clinical applications for the repair and replacement of diseased organs. The development and optimizing of novel hydrogels to repair/replace corneal injuries have been the main focus of researches within the last decade. This research aims to critically review in vitro, preclinical, as well as clinical trial studies related to corneal wound healing using hydrogels in the past 10 years, as this is considered as an emerging technology for corneal treatment. Several unique modifications of hydrogels with smart behaviors have undergone early phase clinical trials and showed promising outcomes. Financially, this considers a multibillion dollars industry and with huge interest from medical devices as well as pharmaceutical industries with several products may emerge within the next five years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sadjad Khosravimelal
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 1449614535, Iran
- Cellular and Molecular Research Centre, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 1449614535, Iran
- Department of Tissue Engineering & Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 1449614535, Iran
| | - Mohammadmahdi Mobaraki
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, 1591634311, Iran
| | - Samane Eftekhari
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 1449614535, Iran
- Cellular and Molecular Research Centre, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 1449614535, Iran
| | - Mark Ahearne
- Trinity Centre for Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin, Dublin, D02 R590, Republic of Ireland
| | - Alexander Marcus Seifalian
- Nanotechnology & Regenerative Medicine Commercialization Centre (NanoRegMed Ltd), London BioScience Innovation Centre, London, NW1 0NH, UK
| | - Mazaher Gholipourmalekabadi
- Cellular and Molecular Research Centre, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 1449614535, Iran
- Department of Tissue Engineering & Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 1449614535, Iran
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22
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Tsai MC, Daniels JT. The impact of biomechanics on corneal endothelium tissue engineering. Exp Eye Res 2021; 209:108690. [PMID: 34216616 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2021.108690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The integrity of innermost layer of the cornea, the corneal endothelium, is key to sustaining corneal transparency. Therefore, disease or injury causing loss or damage to the corneal endothelial cell population may threaten vision. Transplantation of corneal tissue is the standard treatment used to replace malfunctioning corneal endothelial cells. However, this surgery is dependent upon donor tissue, which is limited in supply. Hence, tissue engineers have attempted to construct alternative transplantable tissues or cell therapies to alleviate this problem. Nevertheless, the intrinsic non-dividing nature of corneal endothelial cells continues to foil scientists in their attempts to yield large numbers of cells in the laboratory for use in such novel therapies. Interestingly, the contribution of the biomechanical properties of the underlying extracellular matrix (ECM) on cell division, tissue development and maintenance has been extensively investigated in other many cell types. However, the impact of biomechanics on corneal endothelial cell behaviour is relatively unexplored. Here, we describe contemporary tissue engineering solutions aimed at circumventing donor tissue scarcity. We review the ECM structure and biomechanical features of corneal endothelial cells. We discuss the alterations of ECM in endothelial disease development and progression and point out the role of ECM in developing a tissue-engineered corneal endothelium. We highlight the main biomechanical cues, including topographical and mechanical features, that impact cellular behaviors. Finally, we discuss the influence of biomechanical cues on cell and tissue development, and how corneal endothelial cells response to individual biomechanical stimuli in tissue engineering, which have implications for designing an engineered endothelium and maintaining cell function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Chen Tsai
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK.
| | - Julie T Daniels
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK
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23
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Spinozzi D, Miron A, Lie JT, Rafat M, Lagali N, Melles GRJ, Dhubhghaill SN, Dapena I, Oellerich S. In Vitro Evaluation and Transplantation of Human Corneal Endothelial Cells Cultured on Biocompatible Carriers. Cell Transplant 2021; 29:963689720923577. [PMID: 32363924 PMCID: PMC7586272 DOI: 10.1177/0963689720923577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Corneal transplantation is currently the only effective treatment option for dysfunctional corneal endothelial cells (CEC). In this study, we test in vitro the surgical potential of cultivated human corneal endothelial cells (hCEC) on human anterior lens capsule (HALC), LinkCell™ bioengineered collagen sheets of 20-µm thickness (LK20), and denuded Descemet membrane (dDM) as tissue-engineered grafts for Descemet membrane (DM) endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) to bypass the problem of donor tissue availability. Primary hCEC cultured on all carriers formed a monolayer of tightly packed cells with a high cell viability rate (96% ± 4%). hCEC on HALC and LK20 showed unremarkable expression of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and Na+/K+-adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase), while Na+/K+-ATPase expression of cells seeded on dDM was mainly cytoplasmic. All hCEC-carrier constructs were evaluated by simulating DMEK surgery in vitro using a human donor cornea without DM mounted on an artificial anterior chamber (AC) and a regular DMEK-graft used as a surgical reference model. During in vitro surgery, hCEC-HALC constructs behaved most similarly to a DMEK-graft during implantation and unfolding, showing good adhesion to the bare stroma. On the other hand, hCEC-LK20 and hCEC-dDM constructs required some additional handling because of challenges related to the surgical procedure, although they were both successfully unfolded and implanted in the artificial AC. The hCEC-dDM constructs showed similar graft adherence as hCEC-HALC constructs, while adherence of hCEC-LK20 constructs was less effective. After the in vitro surgery, the estimated area populated by viable cells on the hCEC-HALC and hCEC-LK20 constructs was ∼83% and ∼67%, respectively. Overall, hCEC-HALC constructs behaved most similarly to a DMEK-graft during in vitro DMEK surgery, while graft adhesion and surgical handling, respectively, are parameters still requiring optimization for hCEC-LK20 and hCEC-dDM constructs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Spinozzi
- Netherlands Institute for Innovative Ocular Surgery, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Alina Miron
- Netherlands Institute for Innovative Ocular Surgery, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.,Amnitrans EyeBank Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jessica T Lie
- Netherlands Institute for Innovative Ocular Surgery, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.,Amnitrans EyeBank Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Mehrdad Rafat
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Linköping University, Sweden.,LinkoCare Life Science AB, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Neil Lagali
- Division of Ophthalmology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Sweden
| | - Gerrit R J Melles
- Netherlands Institute for Innovative Ocular Surgery, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.,Amnitrans EyeBank Rotterdam, the Netherlands.,Melles Cornea Clinic Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Sorcha Ni Dhubhghaill
- Netherlands Institute for Innovative Ocular Surgery, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.,Melles Cornea Clinic Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Isabel Dapena
- Netherlands Institute for Innovative Ocular Surgery, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.,Melles Cornea Clinic Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Silke Oellerich
- Netherlands Institute for Innovative Ocular Surgery, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
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24
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Ong HS, Ang M, Mehta J. Evolution of therapies for the corneal endothelium: past, present and future approaches. Br J Ophthalmol 2021; 105:454-467. [PMID: 32709756 PMCID: PMC8005807 DOI: 10.1136/bjophthalmol-2020-316149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2020] [Revised: 05/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Corneal endothelial diseases are leading indications for corneal transplantations. With significant advancement in medical science and surgical techniques, corneal transplant surgeries are now increasingly effective at restoring vision in patients with corneal diseases. In the last 15 years, the introduction of endothelial keratoplasty (EK) procedures, where diseased corneal endothelium (CE) are selectively replaced, has significantly transformed the field of corneal transplantation. Compared to traditional penetrating keratoplasty, EK procedures, namely Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) and Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK), offer faster visual recovery, lower immunological rejection rates, and improved graft survival. Although these modern techniques can achieve high success, there are fundamental impediments to conventional transplantations. A lack of suitable donor corneas worldwide restricts the number of transplants that can be performed. Other barriers include the need for specialized expertise, high cost, and risks of graft rejection or failure. Research is underway to develop alternative treatments for corneal endothelial diseases, which are less dependent on the availability of allogeneic tissues - regenerative medicine and cell-based therapies. In this review, an overview of past and present transplantation procedures used to treat corneal endothelial diseases are described. Potential novel therapies that may be translated into clinical practice will also be presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hon Shing Ong
- Corneal and External Diseases Department, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore, Singapore
- Tissue Engineering and Cell Therapy Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Duke-National University of Singapore (NUS) Graduate Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Marcus Ang
- Corneal and External Diseases Department, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Duke-National University of Singapore (NUS) Graduate Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jodhbir Mehta
- Corneal and External Diseases Department, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore, Singapore
- Tissue Engineering and Cell Therapy Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Duke-National University of Singapore (NUS) Graduate Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
- School of Material Science & Engineering and School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
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25
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Significance of Crosslinking Approaches in the Development of Next Generation Hydrogels for Corneal Tissue Engineering. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13030319. [PMID: 33671011 PMCID: PMC7997321 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13030319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Medical conditions such as trachoma, keratoconus and Fuchs endothelial dystrophy can damage the cornea, leading to visual deterioration and blindness and necessitating a cornea transplant. Due to the shortage of donor corneas, hydrogels have been investigated as potential corneal replacements. A key factor that influences the physical and biochemical properties of these hydrogels is how they are crosslinked. In this paper, an overview is provided of different crosslinking techniques and crosslinking chemical additives that have been applied to hydrogels for the purposes of corneal tissue engineering, drug delivery or corneal repair. Factors that influence the success of a crosslinker are considered that include material composition, dosage, fabrication method, immunogenicity and toxicity. Different crosslinking techniques that have been used to develop injectable hydrogels for corneal regeneration are summarized. The limitations and future prospects of crosslinking strategies for use in corneal tissue engineering are discussed. It is demonstrated that the choice of crosslinking technique has a significant influence on the biocompatibility, mechanical properties and chemical structure of hydrogels that may be suitable for corneal tissue engineering and regenerative applications.
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26
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Hancox Z, Heidari Keshel S, Yousaf S, Saeinasab M, Shahbazi MA, Sefat F. The progress in corneal translational medicine. Biomater Sci 2020; 8:6469-6504. [PMID: 33174878 DOI: 10.1039/d0bm01209b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Cornea tissue is in high demand by tissue donation centres globally, and thus tissue engineering cornea, which is the main topic of corneal translational medicine, can serve as a limitless alternative to a donated human cornea tissue. Tissue engineering aims to produce solutions to the challenges associated with conventional cornea tissue, including transplantation and use of human amniotic membrane (HAM), which have issues with storage and immune rejection in patients. Accordingly, by carefully selecting biomaterials and fabrication methods to produce these therapeutic tissues, the demand for cornea tissue can be met, with an improved healing outcome for recipients with less associated harmful risks. In this review paper, we aim to present the recent advancements in the research and clinical applications of cornea tissue, applications including biomaterial selection, fabrication methods, scaffold structure, cellular response to these scaffolds, and future advancements of these techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoe Hancox
- Department of Biomedical and Electronics Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Bradford, Bradford, UK.
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27
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Watanabe M, Li H, Yamamoto M, Horinaka JI, Tabata Y, Flake AW. Addition of glycerol enhances the flexibility of gelatin hydrogel sheets; application for in utero tissue engineering. J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater 2020; 109:921-931. [PMID: 33166052 DOI: 10.1002/jbm.b.34756] [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: 06/03/2020] [Revised: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Gelatin hydrogels are naturally derived scaffolds useful for tissue engineering because of their cytocompatibility and controllable degradability. However, they are brittle and inflexible when dry, which limits their use for in utero tissue engineering in large animal models. Therefore, in this study, we attempted to generate flexible gelatin sheets by adding various plasticizers with different molecular weights (MW). We systematically evaluated the flexibility, sustainability, and potential clinical utility of the resulting flexible gelatin sheets. Gelatin sheets with low-MW plasticizers, such as monosaccharides or sugar alcohols, showed a reduced tensile modulus in dynamic viscoelasticity, which reflected their actual flexibility. Wet gelatin sheets containing plasticizers showed higher tensile strength than the nonplasticizer control, although wet gelatin sheets under all conditions had a much lower tensile strength than dry gelatin sheets. In a functional study, gelatin sheets containing glycerol, which has the lowest MW among sugar alcohols, showed encouraging results, such as good fit to the curvature of the experimental animal, biocompatibility, and suitability for endoscopic approaches. The findings of this study should enable the expansion of future applications for flexible gelatin sheets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miho Watanabe
- The Department of Surgery and Children's Center for Fetal Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.,The Department of Pediatric Surgery, Osaka University graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Haiying Li
- The Department of Surgery and Children's Center for Fetal Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Masaya Yamamoto
- Department of Biomaterials, Field of Tissue Engineering, Institute for Frontier Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,Department of Ma rial Processing, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Jun-Ichi Horinaka
- Department of Material Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yasuhiko Tabata
- Department of Biomaterials, Field of Tissue Engineering, Institute for Frontier Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Alan W Flake
- The Department of Surgery and Children's Center for Fetal Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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28
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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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29
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Mahdavi SS, Abdekhodaie MJ, Mashayekhan S, Baradaran-Rafii A, Djalilian AR. Bioengineering Approaches for Corneal Regenerative Medicine. Tissue Eng Regen Med 2020; 17:567-593. [PMID: 32696417 PMCID: PMC7373337 DOI: 10.1007/s13770-020-00262-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Since the cornea is responsible for transmitting and focusing light into the eye, injury or pathology affecting any layer of the cornea can cause a detrimental effect on visual acuity. Aging is also a reason for corneal degeneration. Depending on the level of the injury, conservative therapies and donor tissue transplantation are the most common treatments for corneal diseases. Not only is there a lack of donor tissue and risk of infection/rejection, but the inherent ability of corneal cells and layers to regenerate has led to research in regenerative approaches and treatments. METHODS In this review, we first discussed the anatomy of the cornea and the required properties for reconstructing layers of the cornea. Regenerative approaches are divided into two main categories; using direct cell/growth factor delivery or using scaffold-based cell delivery. It is expected delivered cells migrate and integrate into the host tissue and restore its structure and function to restore vision. Growth factor delivery also has shown promising results for corneal surface regeneration. Scaffold-based approaches are categorized based on the type of scaffold, since it has a significant impact on the efficiency of regeneration, into the hydrogel and non-hydrogel based scaffolds. Various types of cells, biomaterials, and techniques are well covered. RESULTS The most important characteristics to be considered for biomaterials in corneal regeneration are suitable mechanical properties, biocompatibility, biodegradability, and transparency. Moreover, a curved shape structure and spatial arrangement of the fibrils have been shown to mimic the corneal extracellular matrix for cells and enhance cell differentiation. CONCLUSION Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine approaches showed to have promising outcomes for corneal regeneration. However, besides proper mechanical and optical properties, other factors such as appropriate sterilization method, storage, shelf life and etc. should be taken into account in order to develop an engineered cornea for clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Sharareh Mahdavi
- Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, 1393 Azadi Ave., Tehran, 11365-11155, Iran
| | - Mohammad J Abdekhodaie
- Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, 1393 Azadi Ave., Tehran, 11365-11155, Iran.
| | - Shohreh Mashayekhan
- Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, 1393 Azadi Ave., Tehran, 11365-11155, Iran
| | - Alireza Baradaran-Rafii
- Ophthalmic Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, SBUMS, Arabi Ave, Daneshjoo Blvd, Velenjak, Tehran, 19839-63113, Iran
| | - Ali R Djalilian
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1200 W Harrison St, Chicago, IL, 60607, USA
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30
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Tissue engineered ultra-thin descemet stripping corneal endothelial layers using porcine cornea and stem cells. Exp Eye Res 2020; 199:108192. [PMID: 32805263 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2020.108192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2020] [Revised: 07/25/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Due to their very poor proliferative capacity, the dysfunction of corneal endothelial cells can sometimes lead to incurable eye diseases that require corneal transplantation. Although many studies have been performed to reconstruct corneal endothelial cells, corneal transplantation is still considered to be the established approach. In this study, we developed bio-engineered Descemet stripping endothelial (DSE) layers, using porcine cornea and induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived corneal endothelial cells (iCECs). First, we optimized a protocol to prepare an ultra-thin and decellularized Descemet stripping (DS) scaffold from porcine cornea. Our DS layers show over 90% transparency compared to the control. Porcine-derived cells and xenogenic antigens disappeared, whereas the collagen matrix remained in the graft. Next, corneal endothelial cell lines or iCECs were seeded on the decellularized DS graft and cultured for 7 days. The drying method reduced graft rolling and edema, and increased transparency during culture. The reseeded cells were evenly distributed over the graft, and most of the cells survived. Although future clinical studies are warranted, engineered DSE tissues using xenogenic tissues and stem cells will be useful tools for the treatment of incurable corneal diseases.
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31
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Van Hoorick J, Delaey J, Vercammen H, Van Erps J, Thienpont H, Dubruel P, Zakaria N, Koppen C, Van Vlierberghe S, Van den Bogerd B. Designer Descemet Membranes Containing PDLLA and Functionalized Gelatins as Corneal Endothelial Scaffold. Adv Healthc Mater 2020; 9:e2000760. [PMID: 32603022 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202000760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Revised: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Corneal blindness is the fourth leading cause of visual impairment. Of specific interest is blindness due to a dysfunctional corneal endothelium which can only be treated by transplanting healthy tissue from a deceased donor. Unfortunately, corneal supply does not meet the demand with only one donor for every 70 patients. Therefore, there is a huge interest in tissue engineering of grafts consisting of an ultra-thin scaffold seeded with cultured endothelial cells. The present research describes the fabrication of such artificial Descemet membranes based on the combination of a biodegradable amorphous polyester (poly (d,l-lactic acid)) and crosslinkable gelatins. Four different crosslinkable gelatin derivatives are compared in terms of processing, membrane quality, and function, as well as biological performance in the presence of corneal endothelial cells. The membranes are fabricated through multi-step spincoating, including a sacrificial layer to allow for straightforward membrane detachment after production. As a consequence, ultrathin (<1 µm), highly transparent (>90%), semi-permeable membranes could be obtained with high biological potential. The membranes supported the characteristic morphology and correct phenotype of corneal endothelial cells while exhibiting similar proliferation rates as the positive control. As a consequence, the proposed membranes prove to be a promising synthetic alternative to donor tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasper Van Hoorick
- Polymer Chemistry & Biomaterials GroupCentre of Macromolecular Chemistry (CMaC)Department of Organic and Macromolecular ChemistryGhent University Ghent 9000 Belgium
- Brussels PhotonicsDepartment of Applied Physics and PhotonicsVrije Universiteit Brussel and Flanders Make Brussels 1050 Belgium
| | - Jasper Delaey
- Polymer Chemistry & Biomaterials GroupCentre of Macromolecular Chemistry (CMaC)Department of Organic and Macromolecular ChemistryGhent University Ghent 9000 Belgium
| | - Hendrik Vercammen
- Antwerp Research Group for Ocular Science (ARGOS)Translational NeurosciencesFaculty of MedicineUniversity of Antwerp Wilrijk 2610 Belgium
| | - Jürgen Van Erps
- Brussels PhotonicsDepartment of Applied Physics and PhotonicsVrije Universiteit Brussel and Flanders Make Brussels 1050 Belgium
| | - Hugo Thienpont
- Polymer Chemistry & Biomaterials GroupCentre of Macromolecular Chemistry (CMaC)Department of Organic and Macromolecular ChemistryGhent University Ghent 9000 Belgium
- Brussels PhotonicsDepartment of Applied Physics and PhotonicsVrije Universiteit Brussel and Flanders Make Brussels 1050 Belgium
| | - Peter Dubruel
- Polymer Chemistry & Biomaterials GroupCentre of Macromolecular Chemistry (CMaC)Department of Organic and Macromolecular ChemistryGhent University Ghent 9000 Belgium
| | - Nadia Zakaria
- Antwerp Research Group for Ocular Science (ARGOS)Translational NeurosciencesFaculty of MedicineUniversity of Antwerp Wilrijk 2610 Belgium
- Department of OphthalmologyAntwerp University Hospital Edegem 2650 Belgium
| | - Carina Koppen
- Antwerp Research Group for Ocular Science (ARGOS)Translational NeurosciencesFaculty of MedicineUniversity of Antwerp Wilrijk 2610 Belgium
- Department of OphthalmologyAntwerp University Hospital Edegem 2650 Belgium
| | - Sandra Van Vlierberghe
- Polymer Chemistry & Biomaterials GroupCentre of Macromolecular Chemistry (CMaC)Department of Organic and Macromolecular ChemistryGhent University Ghent 9000 Belgium
- Brussels PhotonicsDepartment of Applied Physics and PhotonicsVrije Universiteit Brussel and Flanders Make Brussels 1050 Belgium
| | - Bert Van den Bogerd
- Antwerp Research Group for Ocular Science (ARGOS)Translational NeurosciencesFaculty of MedicineUniversity of Antwerp Wilrijk 2610 Belgium
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Lu Q, Peng RM, Feng N, Wen MD, He LH, Hong J. Evaluation of reconstructed human corneal endothelium sheets made with porcine Descemet's membrane in vitro and in vivo. Exp Eye Res 2020; 197:108125. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2020.108125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2019] [Revised: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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Improved viability of murine skin flaps using a gelatin hydrogel sheet impregnated with bFGF. J Artif Organs 2020; 23:348-357. [PMID: 32632506 DOI: 10.1007/s10047-020-01188-7] [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: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) promotes epithelial cell proliferation and angiogenesis but its clinical applications are limited by its short half-life and low retention. Recently developed gelatin hydrogel sheets able to release physiologically active substances in a controlled manner have the potential to overcome these issues. In this study, the effects of gelatin hydrogel sheets impregnated with bFGF on flap survival and angiogenesis were examined in a murine skin flap model. A flap of 1 × 3 cm was generated on the backs of 60 C57BL/6 mice. The mice were divided into five groups (n = 12/group): Group I, untreated; Group II, treated with a gelatin hydrogel sheet impregnated with saline; Group III, treated with bFGF (50 µg) without sheets; Groups IV and V, treated with gelatin hydrogel sheets impregnated with 50 and 100 µg of bFGF, respectively. On the seventh day after surgery, the flap survival area and vascular network were examined and hematoxylin and eosin and von Willebrand factor staining were used for histological examinations. The flap survival areas were significantly larger in Groups IV and V than in other groups. The area of new vessels was significantly larger in Group IV than in the other groups. In the murine skin flap model, gelatin hydrogel sheets impregnated with bFGF promoted angiogenesis and improved flap survival. These findings support the use of bFGF-impregnated gelatin hydrogel sheets for improving ischemic flap survival in clinical settings.
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Bello AB, Kim D, Kim D, Park H, Lee SH. Engineering and Functionalization of Gelatin Biomaterials: From Cell Culture to Medical Applications. TISSUE ENGINEERING PART B-REVIEWS 2020; 26:164-180. [PMID: 31910095 DOI: 10.1089/ten.teb.2019.0256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 250] [Impact Index Per Article: 62.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Health care and medicine were revolutionized in recent years by the development of biomaterials, such as stents, implants, personalized drug delivery systems, engineered grafts, cell sheets, and other transplantable materials. These materials not only support the growth of cells before transplantation but also serve as replacements for damaged tissues in vivo. Among the various biomaterials available, those made from natural biological sources such as extracellular proteins (collagen, fibronectin, laminin) have shown significant benefits, and thus are widely used. However, routine biomaterial-based research requires copious quantities of proteins and the use of pure and intact extracellular proteins could be highly cost ineffective. Gelatin is a molecular derivative of collagen obtained through the irreversible denaturation of collagen proteins. Gelatin shares a very close molecular structure and function with collagen and thus is often used in cell and tissue culture to replace collagen for biomaterial purposes. Recent technological advancements such as additive manufacturing, rapid prototyping, and three-dimensional printing, in general, have resulted in great strides toward the generation of functional gelatin-based materials for medical purposes. In this review, the structural and molecular similarities of gelatin to other extracellular matrix proteins are compared and analyzed. Current strategies for gelatin crosslinking and production are described and recent applications of gelatin-based biomaterials in cell culture and tissue regeneration are discussed. Finally, recent improvements in gelatin-based biomaterials for medical applications and future directions are elaborated. Impact statement In this study, we described gelatin's biochemical properties and compared its advantages and drawbacks over other extracellular matrix proteins and polymers used for biomaterial application. We also described how gelatin can be used with other polymers in creating gelatin composite materials that have enhanced mechanical properties, increased biocompatibility, and boosted bioactivity, maximizing its benefits for biomedical purposes. The article is relevant, as it discussed not only the chemistry of gelatin, but also listed the current techniques in gelatin/biomaterial manufacturing and described the most recent trends in gelatin-based biomaterials for biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alvin Bacero Bello
- School of Integrative Engineering, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Department of Biomedical Science, Dongguk University, Gyeonggi, Republic of Korea
| | - Deogil Kim
- Department of Biomedical Science, CHA University, Seongnam-Si, Republic of Korea
| | - Dohyun Kim
- Department of Biomedical Science, Dongguk University, Gyeonggi, Republic of Korea
| | - Hansoo Park
- School of Integrative Engineering, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Soo-Hong Lee
- Department of Biomedical Science, Dongguk University, Gyeonggi, Republic of Korea
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Xia X, Atkins M, Dalal R, Kuzmenko O, Chang KC, Sun CB, Benatti CA, Rak DJ, Nahmou M, Kunzevitzky NJ, Goldberg JL. Magnetic Human Corneal Endothelial Cell Transplant: Delivery, Retention, and Short-Term Efficacy. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2019; 60:2438-2448. [PMID: 31158276 PMCID: PMC6546151 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.18-26001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Corneal endothelial dysfunction leads to corneal edema, pain, and vision loss. Adequate animal models are needed to study the safety and efficacy of novel cell therapies as an alternative to corneal transplantation. Methods Primary human corneal endothelial cells (HCECs) were isolated from cadaveric donor corneas, expanded in vitro, transduced to express green fluorescent protein (GFP), loaded with superparamagnetic nanoparticles, and injected into the anterior chamber of adult rabbits immediately after endothelial cell or Descemet's membrane stripping. The same volume of balanced salt solution plus (BSS+) was injected in control eyes. We compared different models for inducing corneal edema in rabbits, and examined the ability of transplanted HCECs to reduce corneal edema over time by measuring central corneal thickness and tracking corneal clarity. GFP-positive donor cells were tracked in vivo using optical coherence tomography (OCT) fluorescence angiography module, and the transplanted cells were confirmed by human nuclei immunostaining. Results Magnetic HCECs integrated onto the recipient corneas with intact Descemet's membrane, and donor identity was confirmed by GFP expression and immunostaining for human nuclei marker. Donor HCECs formed a monolayer on the posterior corneal surface and expressed HCEC functional markers of tight junction formation. No GFP-positive cells were observed in the trabecular meshwork or on the iris, and intraocular pressure remained stable through the length of the study. Conclusions Our results demonstrate magnetic cell-based therapy efficiently delivers HCECs to restore corneal transparency without detectable toxicity or adverse effect on intraocular pressure. Magnetic delivery of HCECs may enhance corneal function and should be explored further for human therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Xia
- Byers Eye Institute and Spencer Center for Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, United States
| | - Melissa Atkins
- Byers Eye Institute and Spencer Center for Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, United States
| | - Roopa Dalal
- Byers Eye Institute and Spencer Center for Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, United States
| | - Olga Kuzmenko
- Byers Eye Institute and Spencer Center for Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, United States
| | - Kun-Che Chang
- Byers Eye Institute and Spencer Center for Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, United States
| | - Catalina B Sun
- Byers Eye Institute and Spencer Center for Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, United States
| | - C Andres Benatti
- Shiley Eye Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States
| | - Dillon J Rak
- Shiley Eye Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States
| | - Michael Nahmou
- Byers Eye Institute and Spencer Center for Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, United States
| | - Noelia J Kunzevitzky
- Byers Eye Institute and Spencer Center for Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, United States.,Shiley Eye Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States.,Emmecell, Menlo Park, California, United States
| | - Jeffrey L Goldberg
- Byers Eye Institute and Spencer Center for Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, United States.,Shiley Eye Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States
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Li KY, Pan HA, Chen KH, Kuo TL, Chou CH, Liang YJ, Lin FH. Fish-Scale Collagen Membrane Seeded with Corneal Endothelial Cells as Alternative Graft for Endothelial Keratoplasty Transplantation. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2019; 6:2570-2577. [PMID: 33463278 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.9b00562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The human corneal endothelium has limited regeneration capacity. Several methods have been developed in an attempt to repair it. Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) is commonly performed on patients with endothelial dysfunction. However, donor demand far exceeds donor supply. Here, we prepared fish-scale collagen membrane (FSCM) and seeded it with CECs in preparation for corneal endothelial transplantation. The fish scales were decellularized, decalcified, and curved. The FSCM was inspected by fluorescence microscopy, SEM, and TGA to validate decellularization, microstructure, and decalcification, respectively. The cytotoxicity of FSCM and the viability of the cells in contact with it were evaluated by LDH and WST-1, respectively. CEC tight junctions and ZO-1 structure were observed by SEM and confocal microscopy. FSCM seeded with CECs were implanted to rabbit anterior chambers to evaluate host tissue reactions to it. FSCM biocompatibility and durability were also assessed. The results showed that FSCM has excellent transparency, adequate water content, and good biocompatibility. The cultivated CECs mounted on the FSCM were similar to normal CECs in vivo. The FSCM plus CECs developed here have high potential efficacy for endothelial keratoplasty transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keng-Yuan Li
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10051, Taiwan
| | - Hsu-An Pan
- Department of Research, Body Organ Biomedical Corp, Taipei 11493, Taiwan
| | - Ko-Hua Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei 11217, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Lin Kuo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10051, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Hung Chou
- Department of Research, Body Organ Biomedical Corp, Taipei 11493, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Jyun Liang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10051, Taiwan
| | - Feng-Huei Lin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10051, Taiwan.,Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Nanomedicine, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County 35053, Taiwan
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Liu C, Tang S, Niu G, Zhang J, Huang X, Zhang Y, Bi Y. Ex vivo construction of rabbit corneal endothelial cell sheets on a porcine descemet membrane graft. Exp Ther Med 2019; 18:242-252. [PMID: 31258659 PMCID: PMC6566242 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2019.7573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2018] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate the feasibility of a new graft construction method using rabbit corneal endothelial cells (RCECs) and a porcine descemet membrane (DM) carrier. RCECs were isolated and the experimental group was treated with Y-27632, whereas the control group were cultured in medium without Y-27632. RCEC morphology was observed using an inverted microscope, and cell proliferation and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry. To confirm the presence of RCECs, reverse transcription-quantitative PCR was used to detect gene expression levels of Na+-K+-ATPase, aquaporin 1, collagen α2 (IV), collagen α1 (VIII) and keratin-12. Histocompatibility testing was used to detect porcine DM antigenicity. A DM-RCEC graft was constructed, and morphology was observed using alizarin red-trypan blue and haematoxylin and eosin staining. Cell membrane potential was measured to evaluate the physical function of the DM-RCEC graft. Complex graft tension was measured using a modified tension detector and compared with fresh porcine DM-endothelium complex. In vitro-cultured RCECs formed a monolayer with a polygon morphology and cobblestone-like arrangement. In vitro-cultured RCECs exhibited typical RCEC characteristics before and after transplantation. The proliferation rates of the experimental and control groups were 62.68 and 34.50%, respectively (P<0.05); the apoptosis rates of the experimental and control groups were 8.99 and 35.68%, respectively (P<0.05). There was no antigenicity observed with the porcine DM. The action potential amplitude of the experimental and control groups was over −80 mV, reflecting normal RCEC physiological function. The tension measurements of the experimental and control groups were 20.0248±1.048 and 20.5013±0.657 g, respectively (P>0.05). Taken together, the results of the present study demonstrated that Y-27632 enhanced RCEC proliferation. In addition, the findings revealed the successful ex vivo construction of a RCEC sheet on a porcine DM graft.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunyu Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tongji Hospital Affiliated with Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200333, P.R. China
| | - Shenfei Tang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tongji Hospital Affiliated with Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200333, P.R. China
| | - Guozhen Niu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tongji Hospital Affiliated with Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200333, P.R. China
| | - Juan Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tongji Hospital Affiliated with Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200333, P.R. China
| | - Xinyu Huang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tongji Hospital Affiliated with Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200333, P.R. China
| | - Yushan Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tongji Hospital Affiliated with Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200333, P.R. China
| | - Yanlong Bi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tongji Hospital Affiliated with Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200333, P.R. China
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Zhang B, Xue Q, Li J, Ma L, Yao Y, Ye H, Cui Z, Yang H. 3D bioprinting for artificial cornea: Challenges and perspectives. Med Eng Phys 2019; 71:68-78. [PMID: 31201014 DOI: 10.1016/j.medengphy.2019.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2019] [Revised: 04/26/2019] [Accepted: 05/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Corneal disease is one of the most important causes of blindness worldwide. Currently, the dominating treatment of corneal blindness is corneal transplantation. However, the main source of cornea for transplantation is based on donations which is far from enough to meet the requirement (less than 1:70 of cases). The severe shortage of donor cornea promotes the studies of effective corneal alternatives. However, many problems remain and can't be solved in current researches, such as original geometry reconstruction and ocular optical function restoring. 3D bioprinting can be a promising approach for corneal substitution. The advantages of this technology in corneal regeneration enable personalized corneal implant and single or multi-layer corneal equivalents with controllable structure and designed refractive ability. In this review, the progress, applications and limitations of most influential works among current keratoprosthesis and tissue-engineering cornea researches are discussed. Then the applications of 3D bioprinting in manufacturing multi-layered structures and surface are mentioned. Further, the potential, advantages in current research of 3D bioprinting single or multi-layer corneal equivalents and alternatives are discussed. Finally, an insight into the technical challenges and prospective facing the future research of 3D bioprinting corneal alternatives in vivo and in vitro is provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou (310058), People's Republic of China; School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, People's Republic of China
| | - Qian Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou (310058), People's Republic of China; School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, People's Republic of China
| | - Jintao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou (310058), People's Republic of China; School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, People's Republic of China
| | - Liang Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou (310058), People's Republic of China; School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yufeng Yao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Sir Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 3 Qingchun Road East Hangzhou 310016, Zhejiang Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Hua Ye
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3PJ, UK
| | - Zhanfeng Cui
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3PJ, UK
| | - Huayong Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou (310058), People's Republic of China; School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, People's Republic of China
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Hutcheon AEK, Zieske JD, Guo X. 3D in vitro model for human corneal endothelial cell maturation. Exp Eye Res 2019; 184:183-191. [PMID: 30980816 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2019.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2018] [Revised: 03/15/2019] [Accepted: 04/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Corneal endothelium is a cellular monolayer positioned on the Descemet's membrane at the anterior cornea, and it plays a critical role in maintaining corneal clarity. Our present study examines the feasibility of utilizing our 3-dimensional (3D) corneal stromal construct, which consists of human corneal fibroblasts (HCF) and their self-assembled matrix, to observe the development and maturation of human corneal endothelial cells (HCEndoCs) in a co-culture model. Three-dimensional HCF constructs were created by growing the HCFs on Transwell membranes in Eagles' minimum essential medium (EMEM) + 10% FBS + 0.5 mM Vitamin C (VitC) for about 4 weeks. HCEndoCs, either primary (pHCEndoC) or cell line (HCEndoCL), were either seeded in chamber slides, directly on the Transwell membranes, or on the 3D HCF constructs and cultivated for 5 days or 2 weeks. The HCEndoCs that were seeded directly on the Transwell membranes were exposed indirectly to HCF by culturing the HCF on the plate beneath the membrane. Cultures were examined for morphology and ultrastructure using light and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In addition, indirect-immunofluorescence microscopy (IF) was used to examine tight junction formation (ZO-1), maturation (ALDH1A1), basement membrane formation (Laminin), cell proliferation (Ki67), cell death (caspase-3), and fibrotic response (CTGF). As expected, both pHCEndoCs and HCEndoCLs formed monolayers on the constructs; however, the morphology of the HCEndoCLs appeared to be similar to that seen in vivo, uniform and closely packed, whereas the pHCEndoCs remained elongated. The IF data showed that laminin localization was present in the HCEndoCs' cytoplasm as cell-cell contact increased, and when they were grown in the 3D co-culture, the beginnings of what appears to be a continuous DM-like structure was observed. In addition, in co-cultures, ALDH1A1-positive HCEndoCs were present, ZO-1 expression localized within the tight junctions, minimal numbers of HCEndoCs were Ki67-or Caspase-3-positive, and CTGF was positive in both the HCEndoCs cytoplasm and the matrix of the co-culture. Also, laminin localization was stimulated in HCEndoCs upon indirect stimuli secreted by HCF. The present data suggests our 3D co-culture model is useful for studying corneal endothelium maturation in vitro since the co-culture promotes new DM-like formation, HCEndoCs develop in vivo-like characteristics, and the fibrotic response is activated. Our current findings are applicable to understanding the implications of corneal endothelial injection therapy, such as if the abnormal DM has to be removed from the patient, the newly injected endothelial cells will seed onto the wound area and deposit a new DM-like membrane. However, caution should be observed and as much of the normal DM should be left intact since removal of the DM can cause a posterior stromal fibrotic response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Audrey E K Hutcheon
- Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, 20 Staniford Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.
| | - James D Zieske
- Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, 20 Staniford Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.
| | - Xiaoqing Guo
- Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, 20 Staniford Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.
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Trujillo-de Santiago G, Sharifi R, Yue K, Sani ES, Kashaf SS, Alvarez MM, Leijten J, Khademhosseini A, Dana R, Annabi N. Ocular adhesives: Design, chemistry, crosslinking mechanisms, and applications. Biomaterials 2019; 197:345-367. [PMID: 30690421 PMCID: PMC6687460 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2019.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Revised: 12/16/2018] [Accepted: 01/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Closure of ocular wounds after an accident or surgery is typically performed by suturing, which is associated with numerous potential complications, including suture breakage, inflammation, secondary neovascularization, erosion to the surface and secondary infection, and astigmatism; for example, more than half of post-corneal transplant infections are due to suture related complications. Tissue adhesives provide promising substitutes for sutures in ophthalmic surgery. Ocular adhesives are not only intended to address the shortcomings of sutures, but also designed to be easy to use, and can potentially minimize post-operative complications. Herein, recent progress in the design, synthesis, and application of ocular adhesives, along with their advantages, limitations, and potential are discussed. This review covers two main classes of ocular adhesives: (1) synthetic adhesives based on cyanoacrylates, polyethylene glycol (PEG), and other synthetic polymers, and (2) adhesives based on naturally derived polymers, such as proteins and polysaccharides. In addition, different technologies to cover and protect ocular wounds such as contact bandage lenses, contact lenses coupled with novel technologies, and decellularized corneas are discussed. Continued advances in this area can help improve both patient satisfaction and clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grissel Trujillo-de Santiago
- Harvard-Massachusetts Institute of Technology Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge 02139, MA, USA; Biomaterials Innovation Research Center, Division of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston 02139, MA, USA; Microsystems Technologies Laboratories, MIT, Cambridge, 02139, MA, USA; Centro de Biotecnología-FEMSA, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Monterrey, NL 64849, Mexico
| | - Roholah Sharifi
- Harvard-Massachusetts Institute of Technology Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge 02139, MA, USA; Biomaterials Innovation Research Center, Division of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston 02139, MA, USA
| | - Kan Yue
- Harvard-Massachusetts Institute of Technology Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge 02139, MA, USA; Biomaterials Innovation Research Center, Division of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston 02139, MA, USA
| | - Ehsan Shrizaei Sani
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Department, University of California - Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Sara Saheb Kashaf
- Harvard-Massachusetts Institute of Technology Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge 02139, MA, USA; Biomaterials Innovation Research Center, Division of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston 02139, MA, USA
| | - Mario Moisés Alvarez
- Harvard-Massachusetts Institute of Technology Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge 02139, MA, USA; Biomaterials Innovation Research Center, Division of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston 02139, MA, USA; Microsystems Technologies Laboratories, MIT, Cambridge, 02139, MA, USA; Centro de Biotecnología-FEMSA, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Monterrey, NL 64849, Mexico
| | - Jeroen Leijten
- Harvard-Massachusetts Institute of Technology Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge 02139, MA, USA; Biomaterials Innovation Research Center, Division of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston 02139, MA, USA; Department of Developmental BioEngineering, Faculty of Science and Technology, Technical Medicine, University of Twente, Drienerlolaan 5, 7522 NB, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Ali Khademhosseini
- Harvard-Massachusetts Institute of Technology Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge 02139, MA, USA; Biomaterials Innovation Research Center, Division of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston 02139, MA, USA; Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Department, University of California - Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of California - Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Center for Minimally Invasive Therapeutics (C-MIT), California NanoSystems Institute (CNSI), University of California - Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Radiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California - Los Angeles, 10833 Le Conte Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Reza Dana
- Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary and Schepens Eye Research Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Nasim Annabi
- Harvard-Massachusetts Institute of Technology Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge 02139, MA, USA; Biomaterials Innovation Research Center, Division of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston 02139, MA, USA; Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Department, University of California - Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Center for Minimally Invasive Therapeutics (C-MIT), California NanoSystems Institute (CNSI), University of California - Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
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STAT3 signaling maintains homeostasis through a barrier function and cell survival in corneal endothelial cells. Exp Eye Res 2019; 179:132-141. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2018.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2018] [Revised: 10/09/2018] [Accepted: 11/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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43
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Harkin DG, Dunphy SE, Shadforth AMA, Dawson RA, Walshe J, Zakaria N. Mounting of Biomaterials for Use in Ophthalmic Cell Therapies. Cell Transplant 2018; 26:1717-1732. [PMID: 29338382 PMCID: PMC5784520 DOI: 10.1177/0963689717723638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
When used as scaffolds for cell therapies, biomaterials often present basic handling and logistical problems for scientists and surgeons alike. The quest for an appropriate mounting device for biomaterials is therefore a significant and common problem. In this review, we provide a detailed overview of the factors to consider when choosing an appropriate mounting device including those experienced during cell culture, quality assurance, and surgery. By way of example, we draw upon our combined experience in developing epithelial cell therapies for the treatment of eye diseases. We discuss commercially available options for achieving required goals and provide a detailed analysis of 4 experimental designs developed within our respective laboratories in Australia, the United Kingdom, and Belgium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damien G Harkin
- 1 School of Biomedical Sciences and Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,2 Queensland Eye Institute, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Siobhan E Dunphy
- 3 Division of Clinical Neuroscience, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom.,4 Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, School of Engineering, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Audra M A Shadforth
- 1 School of Biomedical Sciences and Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,2 Queensland Eye Institute, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Rebecca A Dawson
- 1 School of Biomedical Sciences and Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,2 Queensland Eye Institute, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jennifer Walshe
- 2 Queensland Eye Institute, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Nadia Zakaria
- 5 Division of Ophthalmology, Center for Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, University Hospital Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium.,6 Department of Ophthalmology, Visual Optics and Visual Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
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Spinozzi D, Miron A, Bruinsma M, Dapena I, Lavy I, Binder PS, Rafat M, Oellerich S, Melles GRJ. Evaluation of the Suitability of Biocompatible Carriers as Artificial Transplants Using Cultured Porcine Corneal Endothelial Cells. Curr Eye Res 2018; 44:243-249. [PMID: 30339045 DOI: 10.1080/02713683.2018.1536215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Purpose/Aim: Evaluating the suitability of bioengineered collagen sheets and human anterior lens capsules (HALCs) as carriers for cultivated porcine corneal endothelial cells (pCECs) and in vitro assessment of the cell-carrier sheets as tissue-engineered grafts for Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK). MATERIALS AND METHODS pCECs were isolated, cultured up to P2 and seeded onto LinkCell™ bioengineered matrices of 20 µm (LK20) or 100 µm (LK100) thickness, and on HALC. During expansion, pCEC viability and morphology were assessed by light microscopy. ZO-1 and Na+/K+-ATPase expression was investigated by immunohistochemistry. Biomechanical properties of pCEC-carrier constructs were evaluated by simulating DMEK surgery in vitro using an artificial anterior chamber (AC) and a human donor cornea without Descemet membrane (DM). RESULTS During in vitro expansion, cultured pCECs retained their proliferative capacity, as shown by the positive staining for proliferative marker Ki67, and a high cell viability rate (96 ± 5%). pCECs seeded on all carriers formed a monolayer of hexagonal, tightly packed cells that expressed ZO-1 and Na+/K+-ATPase. During in vitro surgery, pCEC-LK20 and pCEC-LK100 constructs were handled like Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK) grafts, i.e. folded like a "taco" for insertion because of challenges related to rolling and sticking of the grafts in the injector. pCEC-HALC constructs behaved similar to the DMEK reference model during implantation and unfolding in the artificial AC, showing good adhesion to the bare stroma. CONCLUSIONS In vitro DMEK surgery showed HALC as the most suitable carrier for cultivated pCECs with good intraoperative graft handling. LK20 carrier showed good biocompatibility, but required a DSEK-adapted surgical protocol. Both carriers might be notional candidates for potential future clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Spinozzi
- a Netherlands Institute for Innovative Ocular Surgery , Rotterdam , The Netherlands
| | - Alina Miron
- a Netherlands Institute for Innovative Ocular Surgery , Rotterdam , The Netherlands
| | - Marieke Bruinsma
- a Netherlands Institute for Innovative Ocular Surgery , Rotterdam , The Netherlands
| | - Isabel Dapena
- a Netherlands Institute for Innovative Ocular Surgery , Rotterdam , The Netherlands.,b Melles Cornea Clinic Rotterdam , Rotterdam , The Netherlands
| | - Itay Lavy
- a Netherlands Institute for Innovative Ocular Surgery , Rotterdam , The Netherlands.,b Melles Cornea Clinic Rotterdam , Rotterdam , The Netherlands
| | - Perry S Binder
- c Gavin Herbert Eye Institute , University of California , Irvine , California , USA
| | - Mehrdad Rafat
- d LinkoCare Life Science AB , Linköping , Sweden.,e Department of Biomedical Engineering , Linköping University , Linköping , Sweden
| | - Silke Oellerich
- a Netherlands Institute for Innovative Ocular Surgery , Rotterdam , The Netherlands
| | - Gerrit R J Melles
- a Netherlands Institute for Innovative Ocular Surgery , Rotterdam , The Netherlands.,b Melles Cornea Clinic Rotterdam , Rotterdam , The Netherlands.,f Amnitrans EyeBank Rotterdam , Rotterdam , The Netherlands
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Ludwig PE, Huff TJ, Zuniga JM. The potential role of bioengineering and three-dimensional printing in curing global corneal blindness. J Tissue Eng 2018; 9:2041731418769863. [PMID: 29686829 PMCID: PMC5900811 DOI: 10.1177/2041731418769863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2018] [Accepted: 03/20/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
An insufficiency of accessible allograft tissue for corneal transplantation leaves many impaired by untreated corneal disease. There is promise in the field of regenerative medicine for the development of autologous corneal tissue grafts or collagen-based scaffolds. Another approach is to create a suitable corneal implant that meets the refractive needs of the cornea and is integrated into the surrounding tissue but does not attempt to perfectly mimic the native cornea on a cellular level. Materials that have been investigated for use in the latter concept include natural polymers such as gelatin, semisynthetic polymers like gelatin methacrylate, and synthetic polymers. There are advantages and disadvantages inherent in natural and synthetic polymers: natural polymers are generally more biodegradable and biocompatible, while synthetic polymers typically provide greater control over the characteristics or property adjustment of the materials. Additive manufacturing could aid in the precision production of keratoprostheses and the personalization of implants.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Trevor J Huff
- Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Jorge M Zuniga
- Department of Biomechanics, University of Nebraska Omaha, Omaha, NE, USA.,Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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Epigallocatechin Gallate-Modified Gelatin Sponges Treated by Vacuum Heating as a Novel Scaffold for Bone Tissue Engineering. Molecules 2018; 23:molecules23040876. [PMID: 29641458 PMCID: PMC6017288 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23040876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2018] [Revised: 04/05/2018] [Accepted: 04/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Chemical modification of gelatin using epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) promotes bone formation in vivo. However, further improvements are required to increase the mechanical strength and bone-forming ability of fabricated EGCG-modified gelatin sponges (EGCG-GS) for practical applications in regenerative therapy. In the present study, we investigated whether vacuum heating-induced dehydrothermal cross-linking of EGCG-GS enhances bone formation in critical-sized rat calvarial defects. The bone-forming ability of vacuum-heated EGCG-GS (vhEGCG-GS) and other sponges was evaluated by micro-computed tomography and histological staining. The degradation of sponges was assessed using protein assays, and cell morphology and proliferation were verified by scanning electron microscopy and immunostaining using osteoblastic UMR106 cells in vitro. Four weeks after the implantation of sponges, greater bone formation was detected for vhEGCG-GS than for EGCG-GS or vacuum-heated gelatin sponges (dehydrothermal cross-linked sponges without EGCG). In vitro experiments revealed that the relatively low degradability of vhEGCG-GS supports cell attachment, proliferation, and cell-cell communication on the matrix. These findings suggest that vacuum heating enhanced the bone forming ability of EGCG-GS, possibly via the dehydrothermal cross-linking of EGCG-GS, which provides a scaffold for cells, and by maintaining the pharmacological effect of EGCG.
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Chen Z, You J, Liu X, Cooper S, Hodge C, Sutton G, Crook JM, Wallace GG. Biomaterials for corneal bioengineering. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 13:032002. [PMID: 29021411 DOI: 10.1088/1748-605x/aa92d2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Corneal transplantation is an important surgical treatment for many common corneal diseases. However, a worldwide shortage of tissue from suitable corneal donors has meant that many people are not able to receive sight-restoring operations. In addition, rejection is a major cause of corneal transplant failure. Bioengineering corneal tissue has recently gained widespread attention. In order to facilitate corneal regeneration, a range of materials is currently being investigated. The ideal substrate requires sufficient tectonic durability, biocompatibility with cultured cellular elements, transparency, and perhaps biodegradability and clinical compliance. This review considers the anatomy and function of the native cornea as a precursor to evaluating a variety of biomaterials for corneal regeneration including key characteristics for optimal material form and function. The integration of appropriate cells with the most appropriate biomaterials is also discussed. Taken together, the information provided offers insight into the requirements for fabricating synthetic and semisynthetic corneas for in vitro modeling of tissue development and disease, pharmaceutical screening, and in vivo application for regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Chen
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science, Intelligent Polymer Research Institute, AIIM Facility, Innovation Campus, University of Wollongong, Squires Way, Fairy Meadow, New South Wales 2519, Australia
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Inoo K, Bando H, Tabata Y. Enhanced survival and insulin secretion of insulinoma cell aggregates by incorporating gelatin hydrogel microspheres. Regen Ther 2018; 8:29-37. [PMID: 30271863 PMCID: PMC6149185 DOI: 10.1016/j.reth.2017.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2017] [Revised: 12/27/2017] [Accepted: 12/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction The objective of this study is to evaluate the survival and glucose-induced insulin secretion of rat-derived insulinoma cells (INS-1) from their aggregates incorporating different size of gelatin hydrogel microspheres comparing with microspheres-free cell aggregates. Methods The gelatin hydrogel microspheres were prepared by the conventional w/o emulsion method. The INS-1 cells were cultured in a V-bottomed well, combining with or without the gelatin hydrogel microspheres to form their aggregates with or without microspheres. Results When the cell viability, the live cell number, the reductase activity, and the insulin secretion of cell aggregates were evaluated 7 or 14 days after incubation, the cell aggregates incorporating gelatin hydrogel microspheres showed higher cell viability, reductase activity and a larger number of live cells. The cell aggregates incorporating larger size and number of gelatin hydrogel microspheres secreted a larger amount of insulin, compared with those incorporating smaller size and number of microspheres or without microspheres. Conclusion It is conceivable that the incorporation of gelatin hydrogel microspheres in cell aggregates is promising to improve their survival and insulin secretion function. INS-1 cell aggregates incorporating gelatin hydrogel microspheres are prepared. Gelatin hydrogel microspheres incorporation improves cell viability and glucose-induced insulin secretion of cell aggregates. The size and number of gelatin hydrogel microspheres affected the cell condition and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanako Inoo
- Laboratory of Biomaterials, Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Hiroto Bando
- Regenerative Medicine Unit, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Yasuhiko Tabata
- Laboratory of Biomaterials, Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Corresponding author. Institute for Life and Frontier Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, 53 Kawara-cho Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan. Fax: +81 75 751 4646.
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Umbilical cord stem cells in the treatment of corneal disease. Surv Ophthalmol 2017; 62:803-815. [DOI: 10.1016/j.survophthal.2017.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2016] [Accepted: 02/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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50
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Aslan B, Guler S, Tevlek A, Aydin HM. Evaluation of collagen foam, poly(l-lactic acid) nanofiber mesh, and decellularized matrices for corneal regeneration. J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater 2017; 106:2157-2168. [DOI: 10.1002/jbm.b.34022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2017] [Revised: 06/06/2017] [Accepted: 07/25/2017] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bahar Aslan
- Institute of Science, Bioengineering Division; , Hacettepe University; Ankara Turkey
| | - Selcan Guler
- Institute of Science, Bioengineering Division; , Hacettepe University; Ankara Turkey
| | - Atakan Tevlek
- Institute of Science, Bioengineering Division; , Hacettepe University; Ankara Turkey
| | - Halil Murat Aydin
- Environmental Engineering Department and Bioengineering Division and Centre for Bioengineering; Hacettepe University; Ankara Turkey
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