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Jin L, Zhang L, Yan C, Liu M, Dean DC, Liu Y. Corneal injury repair and the potential involvement of ZEB1. EYE AND VISION (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2024; 11:20. [PMID: 38822380 PMCID: PMC11143703 DOI: 10.1186/s40662-024-00387-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024]
Abstract
The cornea, consisting of three cellular and two non-cellular layers, is the outermost part of the eyeball and frequently injured by external physical, chemical, and microbial insults. The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a crucial role in the repair of corneal injuries. Zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1), an important transcription factor involved in EMT, is expressed in the corneal tissues. It regulates cell activities like migration, transformation, and proliferation, and thereby affects tissue inflammation, fibrosis, tumor metastasis, and necrosis by mediating various major signaling pathways, including transforming growth factor (TGF)-β. Dysfunction of ZEB1 would impair corneal tissue repair leading to epithelial healing delay, interstitial fibrosis, neovascularization, and squamous cell metaplasia. Understanding the mechanism underlying ZEB1 regulation of corneal injury repair will help us to formulate a therapeutic approach to enhance corneal injury repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Jin
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Third People's Hospital of Dalian, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116033, China
| | - Lijun Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Third People's Hospital of Dalian, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116033, China
| | - Chunxiao Yan
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Third People's Hospital of Dalian, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116033, China
| | - Mengxin Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Third People's Hospital of Dalian, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116033, China
| | - Douglas C Dean
- James Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA.
- Department of Medicine, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA.
| | - Yongqing Liu
- James Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA.
- Department of Medicine, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA.
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Yu Y, Andreev AY, Rogovaya OS, Subbot AM, Domogatsky SP, Avetisov SE, Vorotelyak EA, Osidak EO. Matrix-Assisted Cell Transplantation for the Treatment of Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency in a Rabbit Model. Biomedicines 2024; 12:101. [PMID: 38255207 PMCID: PMC10813050 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12010101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
With the development of regenerative medicine in ophthalmology, the identification of cells with high proliferative potential in the limbal area has attracted the attention of ophthalmologists and offered a new option for treatment in clinical practice. Limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) is an identified eye disease with a difficult and negative outcome, for which the traditional treatment is keratoplasty. This study sought to evaluate the efficacy of matrix-assisted cell transplantation consisting of in vitro-cultured autologous limbal stem cells (LSCs) and type I collagen for the treatment of LSCD in rabbits. LSCD was induced in 10 rabbits by a combination of mechanical limbectomy and alkali burns. Cells were cultured on a plate for 14 days before being transferred to a collagen-based matrix for another 7 days. Rabbits were divided into two groups as follows: the experimental group (five rabbits) received matrix-assisted cell transplantation, while the control group (five rabbits) received only conservative therapy with anti-inflammatory eye drops. During the postoperative period, all rabbits were examined using slit-lamp biomicroscopy with photo-registration and fluorescent staining, impression cytology and anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT). Rabbits were euthanized at 30 and 120 days, and their corneas were processed for histology and immunohistochemistry. As a consequence, rabbits in the experimental group demonstrated the restoration of the corneal epithelium and transparency without epithelial defects. Moreover, goblet cells were absent in the central zone of the corneal epithelium. In conclusion, our new method of treatment enhanced the corneal surface and is an effective method of treatment for LSCD in rabbits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Yu
- Department of Eye Diseases, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 8-2, Trubetskaya Street, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Andrey Yurevich Andreev
- Department of Eye Diseases, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 8-2, Trubetskaya Street, 119991 Moscow, Russia
- Department of Pathologies of Optical Medium of the Eye, Krasnov Research Institute of Eye Diseases, 11A Rossolimo St., 119021 Moscow, Russia
- R&D Department, Imtek Ltd., 3rd Cherepkovskaya 15A, 121552 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Olga Sergeevna Rogovaya
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology Russian Academy of Science, 26, Vavilova St., 119334 Moscow, Russia
| | - Anastasia Mikhailovna Subbot
- Laboratory of Basic Research in Ophthalmology, Krasnov Research Institute of Eye Diseases, 11A Rossolimo St., 119021 Moscow, Russia
| | - Sergey Petrovich Domogatsky
- R&D Department, Imtek Ltd., 3rd Cherepkovskaya 15A, 121552 Moscow, Russia;
- Laboratory of Immunochemistry, FSBI National Medical Research Centre of Cardiology Name after Academician E.I. Chazov of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Academika Chazova St., 15A, 121552 Moscow, Russia
| | - Sergey Eduardovich Avetisov
- Department of Eye Diseases, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 8-2, Trubetskaya Street, 119991 Moscow, Russia
- Department of Pathologies of Optical Medium of the Eye, Krasnov Research Institute of Eye Diseases, 11A Rossolimo St., 119021 Moscow, Russia
| | - Ekaterina Andreevna Vorotelyak
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology Russian Academy of Science, 26, Vavilova St., 119334 Moscow, Russia
| | - Egor Olegovich Osidak
- R&D Department, Imtek Ltd., 3rd Cherepkovskaya 15A, 121552 Moscow, Russia;
- Laboratory of Cellular Hemostasis and Thrombosis, Dmitry Rogachev National Medical Research Center of Paediatric Haematology, Oncology and Immunology, Samora Machel St., 1, 117997 Moscow, Russia
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Soleimani M, Mirzaei A, Cheraqpour K, Baharnoori SM, Arabpour Z, Ashraf MJ, Ghassemi M, Djalilian AR. The Potential of Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cell Therapy in Mustard Keratopathy: Discovering New Roads to Combat Cellular Senescence. Cells 2023; 12:2744. [PMID: 38067171 PMCID: PMC10705954 DOI: 10.3390/cells12232744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) are considered a valuable option to treat ocular surface disorders such as mustard keratopathy (MK). MK often leads to vision impairment due to corneal opacification and neovascularization and cellular senescence seems to have a role in its pathophysiology. Herein, we utilized intrastromal MSC injections to treat MK. Thirty-two mice were divided into four groups based on the exposure to 20 mM or 40 mM concentrations of mustard and receiving the treatment or not. Mice were clinically and histopathologically examined. Histopathological evaluations were completed after the euthanasia of mice after four months and included hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), CK12, and beta-galactosidase (β-gal) staining. The treatment group demonstrated reduced opacity compared to the control group. While corneal neovascularization did not display significant variations between the groups, the control group did register higher numerical values. Histopathologically, reduced CK12 staining was detected in the control group. Additionally, β-gal staining areas were notably lower in the treatment group. Although the treated groups showed lower severity of fibrosis compared to the control groups, statistical difference was not significant. In conclusion, it seems that delivery of MSCs in MK has exhibited promising therapeutic results, notably in reducing corneal opacity. Furthermore, the significant reduction in the β-galactosidase staining area may point towards the promising anti-senescence potential of MSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Soleimani
- Eye Research Center, Farabi Eye Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1336616351, Iran; (M.S.); (A.M.); (K.C.)
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; (S.M.B.); (Z.A.); (M.J.A.); (M.G.)
| | - Arash Mirzaei
- Eye Research Center, Farabi Eye Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1336616351, Iran; (M.S.); (A.M.); (K.C.)
| | - Kasra Cheraqpour
- Eye Research Center, Farabi Eye Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1336616351, Iran; (M.S.); (A.M.); (K.C.)
| | - Seyed Mahbod Baharnoori
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; (S.M.B.); (Z.A.); (M.J.A.); (M.G.)
| | - Zohreh Arabpour
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; (S.M.B.); (Z.A.); (M.J.A.); (M.G.)
| | - Mohammad Javad Ashraf
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; (S.M.B.); (Z.A.); (M.J.A.); (M.G.)
| | - Mahmood Ghassemi
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; (S.M.B.); (Z.A.); (M.J.A.); (M.G.)
| | - Ali R. Djalilian
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; (S.M.B.); (Z.A.); (M.J.A.); (M.G.)
- Cornea Service, Stem Cell Therapy and Corneal Tissue Engineering Laboratory, Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, 1855 W. Taylor Street, M/C 648, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
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Soleimani M, Mirshahi R, Cheraqpour K, Baharnoori SM, Massoumi H, Chow C, Shahjahan S, Momenaei B, Ashraf MJ, Koganti R, Ghassemi M, Anwar KN, Jalilian E, Djalilian AR. Intrastromal versus subconjunctival injection of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells for promoting corneal repair. Ocul Surf 2023; 30:187-195. [PMID: 37758115 PMCID: PMC10841412 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtos.2023.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Different approaches to delivery of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) for ameliorating corneal injuries have been investigated. This study was aimed to compare the efficacy of intrastromal and subconjunctival injection of human bone marrow-derived MSCs (hBM-MSCs) in a corneal epithelial injury model. METHODS Twenty-four C57BL/6J mice underwent total corneal and limbal epithelial debridement. Then, the mice were divided into three different groups: (1) intrastromal hBM-MSCs injection, (2) subconjunctival hBM-MSCs injection, and (3) injection of frozen medium as a control. Mice were monitored by slit lamp and underwent anterior segment optical coherence tomography (ASOCT). Following euthanasia, the corneas were further evaluated by histology and immunostaining. RESULTS hBM-MSC injection successfully healed epithelial defects regardless of the delivery route (P < 0.001). However, intrastromal injection was superior to subconjunctival injection in reducing defect area (P = 0.001). Intrastromal injection of hBM-MSCs also significantly reduced corneal opacity and neovascularization and improved ASOCT parameters compared to subconjunctival injection or no treatment (P < 0.001, P = 0.003, and P < 0.001, respectively). Although both of the treatment groups were positive for CK12 and had reduced levels of MUC5AC compared to the control, CK12 staining was stronger in the intrastromal group compared to the subconjunctival group. Also, persistency of MSCs was confirmed by in vivo (up to 2 weeks) and in vitro assessments (up to 4 weeks). CONCLUSIONS Although the injection of hBM-MSC using both intrastromal and subconjunctival methods improve wound healing and reduce neovascularization and opacity, the intrastromal approach is superior in terms of corneal healing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Soleimani
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA; Eye Research Center, Farabi Eye Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Reza Mirshahi
- Eye Research Center, The Five Senses Health Institute, Rasoul Akram Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Kasra Cheraqpour
- Eye Research Center, Farabi Eye Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Seyed Mahbod Baharnoori
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Hamed Massoumi
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Collin Chow
- Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL, USA.
| | | | - Bita Momenaei
- Wills Eye Hospital, Mid Atlantic Retina, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Mohammad Javad Ashraf
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Raghuram Koganti
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Mahmood Ghassemi
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Khandaker N Anwar
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Elmira Jalilian
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Ali R Djalilian
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
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Soleimani M, Cheraqpour K, Koganti R, Baharnoori SM, Djalilian AR. Concise Review: Bioengineering of Limbal Stem Cell Niche. BIOENGINEERING (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 10:bioengineering10010111. [PMID: 36671683 PMCID: PMC9855097 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering10010111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 01/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
The corneal epithelium is composed of nonkeratinized stratified squamous cells and has a significant turnover rate. Limbal integrity is vital to maintain the clarity and avascularity of the cornea as well as regeneration of the corneal epithelium. Limbal epithelial stem cells (LESCs) are located in the basal epithelial layer of the limbus and preserve this homeostasis. Proper functioning of LESCs is dependent on a specific microenvironment, known as the limbal stem cell niche (LSCN). This structure is made up of various cells, an extracellular matrix (ECM), and signaling molecules. Different etiologies may damage the LSCN, leading to limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD), which is characterized by conjunctivalization of the cornea. In this review, we first summarize the basics of the LSCN and then focus on current and emerging bioengineering strategies for LSCN restoration to combat LSCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Soleimani
- Eye Research Center, Farabi Eye Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1336616351, Iran
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Kasra Cheraqpour
- Eye Research Center, Farabi Eye Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1336616351, Iran
| | - Raghuram Koganti
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Seyed Mahbod Baharnoori
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Ali R. Djalilian
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- Correspondence:
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