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Bonnet C, Gonzalez S, Deng SX. Limbal stem cell therapy. Curr Opin Ophthalmol 2024; 35:309-314. [PMID: 38813737 DOI: 10.1097/icu.0000000000001061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To highlight the progress and future direction of limbal stem cell (LSC) therapies for the treatment of limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD). RECENT FINDINGS Direct LSC transplantation have demonstrated good long-term outcomes. Cultivated limbal epithelial transplantation (CLET) has been an alternative to treat severe to total LSCD aiming to improve the safety and efficacy of the LSC transplant. A prospective early-stage uncontrolled clinical trial shows the feasibility and safety of CLET manufactured under xenobiotic free conditions. Other cell sources for repopulating of the corneal epithelium such as mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells are being investigated. The first clinical trials of using MSCs showed short-term results, but long-term efficacy seems to be disappointing. A better understanding of the niche function and regulation of LSC survival and proliferation will lead to the development of medical therapies to rejuvenate the residual LSCs found in a majority of eyes with LSCD in vivo. Prior efforts have been largely focused on improving LSC transplantation. Additional effort should be placed on improving the accuracy of diagnosis and staging of LSCD, and implementing standardized outcome measures which enable comparison of efficacy of different LSCD treatments for different severity of LSCD. The choice of LSCD treatment will be customized based on the severity of LSCD in the future. SUMMARY New approaches for managing different stages of LSCD are being developed. This concise review summarizes the progresses in LSC therapies for LSCD, underlying mechanisms, limitations, and future areas of development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clemence Bonnet
- Stein Eye Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM 1138, Paris Cité Université, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - Sheyla Gonzalez
- Stein Eye Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Sophie X Deng
- Stein Eye Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
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Suanno G, Genna VG, Maurizi E, Dieh AA, Griffith M, Ferrari G. Cell therapy in the cornea: The emerging role of microenvironment. Prog Retin Eye Res 2024; 102:101275. [PMID: 38797320 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2024.101275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
The cornea is an ideal testing field for cell therapies. Its highly ordered structure, where specific cell populations are sequestered in different layers, together with its accessibility, has allowed the development of the first stem cell-based therapy approved by the European Medicine Agency. Today, different techniques have been proposed for autologous and allogeneic limbal and non-limbal cell transplantation. Cell replacement has also been attempted in cases of endothelial cell decompensation as it occurs in Fuchs dystrophy: injection of cultivated allogeneic endothelial cells is now in advanced phases of clinical development. Recently, stromal substitutes have been developed with excellent integration capability and transparency. Finally, cell-derived products, such as exosomes obtained from different sources, have been investigated for the treatment of severe corneal diseases with encouraging results. Optimization of the success rate of cell therapies obviously requires high-quality cultured cells/products, but the role of the surrounding microenvironment is equally important to allow engraftment of transplanted cells, to preserve their functions and, ultimately, lead to restoration of tissue integrity and transparency of the cornea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Suanno
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy; Eye Repair Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Eleonora Maurizi
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine ''S. Ferrari'', University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Anas Abu Dieh
- Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - May Griffith
- Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
| | - Giulio Ferrari
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy; Eye Repair Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy; Ophthalmology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
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Altshuler A, Amitai-Lange A, Nasser W, Dimri S, Bhattacharya S, Tiosano B, Barbara R, Aberdam D, Shimmura S, Shalom-Feuerstein R. Eyes open on stem cells. Stem Cell Reports 2023; 18:2313-2327. [PMID: 38039972 PMCID: PMC10724227 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2023.10.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, the murine cornea has reemerged as a robust stem cell (SC) model, allowing individual SC tracing in living animals. The cornea has pioneered seminal discoveries in SC biology and regenerative medicine, from the first corneal transplantation in 1905 to the identification of limbal SCs and their transplantation to successfully restore vision in the early 1990s. Recent experiments have exposed unexpected properties attributed to SCs and progenitors and revealed flexibility in the differentiation program and a key role for the SC niche. Here, we discuss the limbal SC model and its broader relevance to other tissues, disease, and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Altshuler
- Department of Genetics & Developmental Biology, The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine & Research Institute, Technion Integrated Cancer Center, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 31096, Israel.
| | - Aya Amitai-Lange
- Department of Genetics & Developmental Biology, The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine & Research Institute, Technion Integrated Cancer Center, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 31096, Israel
| | - Waseem Nasser
- Department of Genetics & Developmental Biology, The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine & Research Institute, Technion Integrated Cancer Center, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 31096, Israel
| | - Shalini Dimri
- Department of Genetics & Developmental Biology, The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine & Research Institute, Technion Integrated Cancer Center, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 31096, Israel
| | - Swarnabh Bhattacharya
- Department of Genetics & Developmental Biology, The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine & Research Institute, Technion Integrated Cancer Center, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 31096, Israel
| | - Beatrice Tiosano
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hillel Yaffe Medical Center, Hadera, Israel
| | - Ramez Barbara
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hillel Yaffe Medical Center, Hadera, Israel
| | - Daniel Aberdam
- Université Paris-Cité, INSERM U1138, Centre des Cordeliers, 75270 Paris, France
| | - Shigeto Shimmura
- Department of Clinical Regenerative Medicine, Fujita Medical Innovation Center, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ruby Shalom-Feuerstein
- Department of Genetics & Developmental Biology, The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine & Research Institute, Technion Integrated Cancer Center, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 31096, Israel.
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Pérez I, Galindo S, López-Miguel A, Nieto-Miguel T, de la Mata A, López-Paniagua M, Alberca M, Herreras JM, Calonge M. In Vivo Confocal Microscopy in Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency After Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation: A Sub-analysis from a Phase I-II Clinical Trial. Ophthalmol Ther 2023; 12:3251-3262. [PMID: 37773479 PMCID: PMC10640524 DOI: 10.1007/s40123-023-00809-7] [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: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The aim of this work is to evaluate the effect of mesenchymal stem cell transplantation (MSCT) and cultivated limbal epithelial transplantation (CLET) therapies on the limbus of patients suffering from limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD). METHODS A sub-analysis of a phase I-II randomized, controlled, and double-masked clinical trial was performed to assess the changes in the anatomical structures of the limbus. In vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) analysis was carried out in LSCD eyes before and 12 months after allogeneic MSCT or CLET. Epithelial phenotype of the central cornea, as well as the presence of transition zones and palisades of Vogt in the limbus, were assessed using Wilcoxon test. RESULTS Twenty-three LSCD (14 MSCT and nine CLET) eyes were included. The epithelial phenotype of the central cornea improved significantly (p < 0.001) from 15 (eight MSCT, seven CLET) and eight (six MSCT, two CLET) LSCD eyes showing conjunctival and mixed phenotypes, respectively, to eight (five MSCT, three CLET), five (two MSCT, three CLET), and ten (seven MSCT, three CLET) eyes showing conjunctival, mixed, and corneal phenotypes, respectively. Transition areas and palisades of Vogt were observed in at least one quadrant in nine (five MSCT, four CLET) and 16 (nine MSCT, seven CLET), and in four (two MSCT, two CLET) and six (three MSCT, three CLET) LSCD eyes before and after surgery, respectively. Changes in the transition zones and palisades were solely significant (p = 0.046) for the nasal and inferior quadrants, respectively. CONCLUSIONS MSCT and CLET improved the central corneal epithelial phenotype despite only minor changes in the anatomical structures of the limbus, as detected by IVCM technology. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT01562002.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inmaculada Pérez
- IOBA (Institute of Applied Ophthalmobiology), Universidad de Valladolid, Campus Miguel Delibes, Paseo Belén, 17, 47011, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Sara Galindo
- IOBA (Institute of Applied Ophthalmobiology), Universidad de Valladolid, Campus Miguel Delibes, Paseo Belén, 17, 47011, Valladolid, Spain
- CIBER-BBN (Biomedical Research Networking Center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine), Carlos III National Institute of Health, Valladolid, Spain
- Department of Cell Biology, Genetics, Histology and Pharmacology, Universidad de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Alberto López-Miguel
- IOBA (Institute of Applied Ophthalmobiology), Universidad de Valladolid, Campus Miguel Delibes, Paseo Belén, 17, 47011, Valladolid, Spain.
- Departamento de Cirugía, Oftalmología, Otorrinolaringología y Fisioterapia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain.
| | - Teresa Nieto-Miguel
- IOBA (Institute of Applied Ophthalmobiology), Universidad de Valladolid, Campus Miguel Delibes, Paseo Belén, 17, 47011, Valladolid, Spain
- CIBER-BBN (Biomedical Research Networking Center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine), Carlos III National Institute of Health, Valladolid, Spain
- Department of Cell Biology, Genetics, Histology and Pharmacology, Universidad de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Ana de la Mata
- IOBA (Institute of Applied Ophthalmobiology), Universidad de Valladolid, Campus Miguel Delibes, Paseo Belén, 17, 47011, Valladolid, Spain
- CIBER-BBN (Biomedical Research Networking Center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine), Carlos III National Institute of Health, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Marina López-Paniagua
- IOBA (Institute of Applied Ophthalmobiology), Universidad de Valladolid, Campus Miguel Delibes, Paseo Belén, 17, 47011, Valladolid, Spain
- CIBER-BBN (Biomedical Research Networking Center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine), Carlos III National Institute of Health, Valladolid, Spain
- Department of Cell Biology, Genetics, Histology and Pharmacology, Universidad de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
- Centro en Red de Medicina Regenerativa y Terapia Celular de Castilla y León, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Mercedes Alberca
- IBGM (Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics) and University Scientific Park, Universidad de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
| | - José M Herreras
- IOBA (Institute of Applied Ophthalmobiology), Universidad de Valladolid, Campus Miguel Delibes, Paseo Belén, 17, 47011, Valladolid, Spain
- CIBER-BBN (Biomedical Research Networking Center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine), Carlos III National Institute of Health, Valladolid, Spain
- Departamento de Cirugía, Oftalmología, Otorrinolaringología y Fisioterapia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Margarita Calonge
- IOBA (Institute of Applied Ophthalmobiology), Universidad de Valladolid, Campus Miguel Delibes, Paseo Belén, 17, 47011, Valladolid, Spain
- CIBER-BBN (Biomedical Research Networking Center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine), Carlos III National Institute of Health, Valladolid, Spain
- Departamento de Cirugía, Oftalmología, Otorrinolaringología y Fisioterapia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
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Polisetti N, Martin G, Ulrich E, Glegola M, Schlötzer-Schrehardt U, Schlunck G, Reinhard T. Influence of Organ Culture on the Characteristics of the Human Limbal Stem Cell Niche. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16856. [PMID: 38069177 PMCID: PMC10706739 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242316856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Organ culture storage techniques for corneoscleral limbal (CSL) tissue have improved the quality of corneas for transplantation and allow for longer storage times. Cultured limbal tissue has been used for stem cell transplantation to treat limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) as well as for research purposes to assess homeostasis mechanisms in the limbal stem cell niche. However, the effects of organ culture storage conditions on the quality of limbal niche components are less well described. Therefore, in this study, the morphological and immunohistochemical characteristics of organ-cultured limbal tissue are investigated and compared to fresh limbal tissues by means of light and electron microscopy. Organ-cultured limbal tissues showed signs of deterioration, such as edema, less pronounced basement membranes, and loss of the most superficial layers of the epithelium. In comparison to the fresh limbal epithelium, organ-cultured limbal epithelium showed signs of ongoing proliferative activity (more Ki-67+ cells) and exhibited an altered limbal epithelial phenotype with a loss of N-cadherin and desmoglein expression as well as a lack of precise staining patterns for cytokeratin ((CK)14, CK17/19, CK15). The analyzed extracellular matrix composition was mainly intact (collagen IV, fibronectin, laminin chains) except for Tenascin-C, whose expression was increased in organ-cultured limbal tissue. Nonetheless, the expression patterns of cell-matrix adhesion proteins varied in organ-cultured limbal tissue compared to fresh limbal tissue. A decrease in the number of melanocytes (Melan-A+ cells) and Langerhans cells (HLA-DR+, CD1a+, CD18+) was observed in the organ-cultured limbal tissue. The organ culture-induced alterations of the limbal epithelial stem cell niche might hamper its use in the treatment of LSCD as well as in research studies. In contrast, reduced numbers of donor-derived Langerhans cells seem associated with better clinical outcomes. However, there is a need to consider the preferential use of fresh CSL for limbal transplants and to look at ways of improving the limbal stem cell properties of stored CSL tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naresh Polisetti
- Eye Center, Medical Center—Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Killianstrasse 5, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Gottfried Martin
- Eye Center, Medical Center—Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Killianstrasse 5, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Eva Ulrich
- Eye Center, Medical Center—Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Killianstrasse 5, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Mateusz Glegola
- Eye Center, Medical Center—Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Killianstrasse 5, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Ursula Schlötzer-Schrehardt
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schwabachanlage 6, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Günther Schlunck
- Eye Center, Medical Center—Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Killianstrasse 5, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Reinhard
- Eye Center, Medical Center—Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Killianstrasse 5, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
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Bonnet C, González S, Deng SX, Zheng JJ. Wnt activation as a potential therapeutic approach to treat partial limbal stem cell deficiency. Sci Rep 2023; 13:15670. [PMID: 37735479 PMCID: PMC10514048 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-42794-8] [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: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Limbal epithelial stem/progenitor cells (LSCs) are adult stem cells located at the limbus, tightly regulated by their niche involving numerous signaling pathways, such as Wnt. Wnt proteins are secreted morphogens that play critical roles in embryonic development, stem cell proliferation, self-renewal, tissue regeneration, and remodeling in adults. It has been shown that a small molecule Wnt mimic could improve LSCs expansion ex vivo. Damage to the LSCs and/or their niche can lead to limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD), a condition that can cause corneal blindness and is difficult to treat. This study explored if repopulating residual LSCs in partial LSCD through Wnt activation could be a novel therapeutic approach. To mimic LSCD due to a chemical injury, single cultured LSCs were exposed to various concentrations of sodium hydroxide. A progressive loss of the LSCs phenotype was observed: the percentage of p63bright cells and cytokeratin (K)14+ cells decreased while the percentage of K12+ increased. Wnt activation was attained by treating the LSCs with lithium chloride (LiCl) and a small-molecule Wnt mimic, respectively. After 18 h of treatment, LSCs proliferation was increased, and the LSCs phenotype was recovered, while the untreated cells did not proliferate and lost their phenotype. The percentage of p63bright cells was significantly higher in the Wnt mimic-treated cells compared with untreated cells, while the percentage of K12+ cells was significantly lower. These findings suggest that local Wnt activation may rescue LSCs upon alkaline injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clémence Bonnet
- Department of Ophthalmology, Stein Eye Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, 100 Stein Plaza, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- INSERM, UMRS1138, Team 17, From Physiopathology of Ocular Diseases to Clinical Development, Cordeliers Research Center, Ophthalmology Department, Cochin Hospital, AP-HP, Université Paris Cité, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Sheyla González
- Department of Ophthalmology, Stein Eye Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, 100 Stein Plaza, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Sophie X Deng
- Department of Ophthalmology, Stein Eye Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, 100 Stein Plaza, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Jie J Zheng
- Department of Ophthalmology, Stein Eye Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, 100 Stein Plaza, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
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Tian Y, Zhang T, Li J, Tao Y. Advances in development of exosomes for ophthalmic therapeutics. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2023; 199:114899. [PMID: 37236425 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2023.114899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Exosomes contain multiple bioactive molecules and maintain the connection between cells. Recent advances in exosome-based therapeutics have witnessed unprecedented opportunities in treating ophthalmic diseases, including traumatic diseases, autoimmune diseases, chorioretinal diseases and others. Utilization of exosomes as delivery vectors to encapsulate both drugs and therapeutic genes could yield higher efficacy and avoid the unnecessary immune responses. However, exosome-based therapies also come with some potential ocular risks. In this review, we first present a general introduction to exosomes. Then we provide an overview of available applications and discuss their potential risks. Moreover, we review recently reported exosomes as delivery vectors for ophthalmic diseases. Finally, we put forward future perspectives to grapple with its translation and underlying issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Tian
- Department of Ophthalmology, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, PR China
| | - Tao Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, PR China
| | - Jing Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory of DNA Damage Response, College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, PR China
| | - Yong Tao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, PR China.
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Romanov YA. [Corneal regeneration: is there a place for tissues of perinatal origin?]. Vestn Oftalmol 2023; 139:121-128. [PMID: 37942606 DOI: 10.17116/oftalma2023139051121] [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: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
The article reviews the main properties of the cornea and the mechanisms of its physiological regeneration and repair in response to damage and describes the most promising methods of treatment aimed at stimulating limbal stem cells and based on the use of native tissues of perinatal origin, umbilical cord mesenchymal stromal cells, and cell-free therapeutic products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu A Romanov
- National Medical Research Center of Cardiology Named After Academician E.I. Chazov, Moscow, Russia
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Masood F, Chang JH, Akbar A, Song A, Hu WY, Azar DT, Rosenblatt MI. Therapeutic Strategies for Restoring Perturbed Corneal Epithelial Homeostasis in Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency: Current Trends and Future Directions. Cells 2022; 11:3247. [PMID: 36291115 PMCID: PMC9600167 DOI: 10.3390/cells11203247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Limbal stem cells constitute an important cell population required for regeneration of the corneal epithelium. If insults to limbal stem cells or their niche are sufficiently severe, a disease known as limbal stem cell deficiency occurs. In the absence of functioning limbal stem cells, vision-compromising conjunctivalization of the corneal epithelium occurs, leading to opacification, inflammation, neovascularization, and chronic scarring. Limbal stem cell transplantation is the standard treatment for unilateral cases of limbal stem cell deficiency, but bilateral cases require allogeneic transplantation. Herein we review the current therapeutic utilization of limbal stem cells. We also describe several limbal stem cell markers that impact their phenotype and function and discuss the possibility of modulating limbal stem cells and other sources of stem cells to facilitate the development of novel therapeutic interventions. We finally consider several hurdles for widespread adoption of these proposed methodologies and discuss how they can be overcome to realize vision-restoring interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faisal Masood
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Jin-Hong Chang
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Anosh Akbar
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Amy Song
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Wen-Yang Hu
- Department of Urology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Dimitri T. Azar
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Mark I. Rosenblatt
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
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10
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Corneal Regeneration Using Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells. Cells 2022; 11:cells11162549. [PMID: 36010626 PMCID: PMC9406486 DOI: 10.3390/cells11162549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Adipose-derived stem cells are a subtype of mesenchymal stem cell that offers the important advantage of being easily obtained (in an autologous manner) from low invasive procedures, rendering a high number of multipotent stem cells with the potential to differentiate into several cellular lineages, to show immunomodulatory properties, and to promote tissue regeneration by a paracrine action through the secretion of extracellular vesicles containing trophic factors. This secretome is currently being investigated as a potential source for a cell-free based regenerative therapy for human tissues, which would significantly reduce the involved costs, risks and law regulations, allowing for a broader application in real clinical practice. In the current article, we will review the existing preclinical and human clinical evidence regarding the use of such adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells for the regeneration of the three main layers of the human cornea: the epithelium (derived from the surface ectoderm), the stroma (derived from the neural crest mesenchyme), and the endothelium (derived from the neural crest cells).
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11
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Trosan P, Cabral JV, Smeringaiova I, Studeny P, Jirsova K. Interleukin-13 increases the stemness of limbal epithelial stem cells cultures. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0272081. [PMID: 35917378 PMCID: PMC9345474 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0272081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to determine the effect of interleukin-13 (IL13) on the stemness, differentiation, proliferation, clonogenicity, and morphology of cultured limbal epithelial cells (LECs). Human limbal explants were used to culture LECs up to the second passage (P0-P2) with or without IL13 (IL13+ and IL13-, respectively). Cells were analyzed by qPCR (for the expression of ΔNp63α, BMI-1, keratin (K) 3, K7, K12, K14, K17, mucin 4, and MKI67) and immunofluorescence staining for p63α. The clonogenic ability was determined by colony-forming assay (CFA), and their metabolic activity was measured by WST-1 assay. The results of the CFA showed a significantly increased clonogenic ability in P1 and P2 cultures when LECs were cultured with IL13. In addition, the expression of putative stem cell markers (ΔNp63α, K14, and K17) was significantly higher in all IL13+ cultures compared to IL13-. Similarly, immunofluorescence analysis showed a significantly higher percentage of p63α positive cells in P2 cultures with IL13 than without it. LECs cultures without IL13 lost their cuboidal morphology with a high nucleocytoplasmic ratio after P1. The use of IL13 also led to significantly higher proliferation in P2, which can be reflected by a higher ability to reach confluence in P2 cultures. On the other hand, IL13 had no effect on corneal epithelial cell differentiation (K3 and K12 expression), and the expression of the conjunctival marker K7 significantly increased in all IL13+ cultures compared to the respective cell culture without IL13. This study showed that IL13 enhanced the stemness of LECs by increasing the clonogenicity and the expression of putative stem cell markers of LECs while maintaining their stem cell morphology. We established IL13 as a culture supplement for LESCs, which increases their stemness potential in culture, even after the second passage, and may lead to the greater success of LESCs transplantation in patients with LSCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Trosan
- Laboratory of the Biology and Pathology of the Eye, First Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biology and Medical Genetics, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Ophthalmology, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Joao Victor Cabral
- Laboratory of the Biology and Pathology of the Eye, First Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biology and Medical Genetics, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Ingrida Smeringaiova
- Laboratory of the Biology and Pathology of the Eye, First Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biology and Medical Genetics, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Studeny
- Ophthalmology Department of 3 Medical Faculty and University Hospital Kralovske Vinohrady, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Katerina Jirsova
- Laboratory of the Biology and Pathology of the Eye, First Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biology and Medical Genetics, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
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Lujerdean C, Baci GM, Cucu AA, Dezmirean DS. The Contribution of Silk Fibroin in Biomedical Engineering. INSECTS 2022; 13:286. [PMID: 35323584 PMCID: PMC8950689 DOI: 10.3390/insects13030286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Silk fibroin (SF) is a natural protein (biopolymer) extracted from the cocoons of Bombyx mori L. (silkworm). It has many properties of interest in the field of biotechnology, the most important being biodegradability, biocompatibility and robust mechanical strength with high tensile strength. SF is usually dissolved in water-based solvents and can be easily reconstructed into a variety of material formats, including films, mats, hydrogels, and sponges, by various fabrication techniques (spin coating, electrospinning, freeze-drying, and physical or chemical crosslinking). Furthermore, SF is a feasible material used in many biomedical applications, including tissue engineering (3D scaffolds, wounds dressing), cancer therapy (mimicking the tumor microenvironment), controlled drug delivery (SF-based complexes), and bone, eye and skin regeneration. In this review, we describe the structure, composition, general properties, and structure-properties relationship of SF. In addition, the main methods used for ecological extraction and processing of SF that make it a green material are discussed. Lastly, technological advances in the use of SF-based materials are addressed, especially in healthcare applications such as tissue engineering and cancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristian Lujerdean
- Faculty of Animal Science and Biotechnology, University of Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (A.-A.C.); (D.S.D.)
| | - Gabriela-Maria Baci
- Faculty of Animal Science and Biotechnology, University of Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (A.-A.C.); (D.S.D.)
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Diebold Y, García-Posadas L. Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products for Eye Diseases: Goals and Challenges. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13111819. [PMID: 34834234 PMCID: PMC8621516 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13111819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Yolanda Diebold
- Ocular Surface Group, Instituto de Oftalmobiología Aplicada (IOBA), Universidad de Valladolid, 47011 Valladolid, Spain;
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence:
| | - Laura García-Posadas
- Ocular Surface Group, Instituto de Oftalmobiología Aplicada (IOBA), Universidad de Valladolid, 47011 Valladolid, Spain;
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