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Lie S, Rochet E, Segerdell E, Ma Y, Ashander LM, Shadforth AMA, Blenkinsop TA, Michael MZ, Appukuttan B, Wilmot B, Smith JR. Immunological Molecular Responses of Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells to Infection With Toxoplasma gondii. Front Immunol 2019; 10:708. [PMID: 31118929 PMCID: PMC6506780 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2018] [Accepted: 03/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ocular toxoplasmosis is the commonest clinical manifestation of infection with obligate intracellular parasite, Toxoplasma gondii. Active ocular toxoplasmosis is characterized by replication of T. gondii tachyzoites in the retina, with reactive inflammation. The multifunctional retinal pigment epithelium is a key target cell population for T. gondii. Since the global gene expression profile is germane to understanding molecular involvements of retinal pigment epithelial cells in ocular toxoplasmosis, we performed RNA-Sequencing (RNA-Seq) of human cells following infection with T. gondii tachyzoites. Primary cell isolates from eyes of cadaveric donors (n = 3), and the ARPE-19 human retinal pigment epithelial cell line, were infected for 24 h with GT-1 strain T. gondii tachyzoites (multiplicity of infection = 5) or incubated uninfected as control. Total and small RNA were extracted from cells and sequenced on the Illumina NextSeq 500 platform; results were aligned to the human hg19 reference sequence. Multidimensional scaling showed good separation between transcriptomes of infected and uninfected primary cell isolates, which were compared in edgeR software. This differential expression analysis revealed a sizeable response in the total RNA transcriptome-with significantly differentially expressed genes totaling 7,234 (28.9% of assigned transcripts)-but very limited changes in the small RNA transcriptome-totaling 30 (0.35% of assigned transcripts) and including 8 microRNA. Gene ontology and pathway enrichment analyses of differentially expressed total RNA in CAMERA software, identified a strong immunologic transcriptomic signature. We conducted RT-qPCR for 26 immune response-related protein-coding and long non-coding transcripts in epithelial cell isolates from different cadaveric donors (n = 3), extracted by a different isolation protocol but similarly infected with T. gondii, to confirm immunological activity of infected cells. For microRNA, increases in miR-146b and miR-212 were detected by RT-qPCR in 2 and 3 of these independent cell isolates. Biological network analysis in the InnateDB platform, including 735 annotated differentially expressed genes plus 2,046 first-order interactors, identified 10 contextural hubs and 5 subnetworks in the transcriptomic immune response of cells to T. gondii. Our observations provide a solid base for future studies of molecular and cellular interactions between T. gondii and the human retinal pigment epithelium to illuminate mechanisms of ocular toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shervi Lie
- Eye and Vision Health, Flinders University College of Medicine and Public Health, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Elise Rochet
- Eye and Vision Health, Flinders University College of Medicine and Public Health, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Erik Segerdell
- Department of Biostatistics, Oregon Health and Sciences University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Yuefang Ma
- Eye and Vision Health, Flinders University College of Medicine and Public Health, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Liam M. Ashander
- Eye and Vision Health, Flinders University College of Medicine and Public Health, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Audra M. A. Shadforth
- Queensland Eye Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- School of Biomedical Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Timothy A. Blenkinsop
- Departments of Cell, Developmental and Regenerative Biology, and Ophthalmology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Michael Z. Michael
- Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer, Flinders University College of Medicine and Public Health, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Binoy Appukuttan
- Eye and Vision Health, Flinders University College of Medicine and Public Health, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer, Flinders University College of Medicine and Public Health, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Beth Wilmot
- Department of Biostatistics, Oregon Health and Sciences University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Justine R. Smith
- Eye and Vision Health, Flinders University College of Medicine and Public Health, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer, Flinders University College of Medicine and Public Health, Adelaide, SA, Australia
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2
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Galloway CA, Dalvi S, Shadforth AMA, Suzuki S, Wilson M, Kuai D, Hashim A, MacDonald LA, Gamm DM, Harkin DG, Singh R. Characterization of Human iPSC-RPE on a Prosthetic Bruch's Membrane Manufactured From Silk Fibroin. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2019; 59:2792-2800. [PMID: 30025113 PMCID: PMC5989661 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.17-23157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose RPE cell transplantation as a potential treatment for AMD has been extensively investigated; however, in AMD, ultrastructural damage affects both the RPE and its underlying matrix support, the Bruch's membrane (BrM). An RPE monolayer supported by a surrogate scaffold could thus provide a more effective approach to cell-based therapy for AMD. Toward this goal, we aimed to establish a functional human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived (hiPSC)-RPE monolayer on a Bombyx mori silk fibroin (BMSF) scaffold. Methods RPE differentiated from five distinct hiPSC lines were cultured on BMSF membrane coated with extracellular matrix (ECM, COL1), and either regular tissue culture plastic or Transwell coated with ECM (LAM-TCP). Morphologic, gene and protein expression, and functional characteristics of the hiPSC-RPE cultured on different membranes were compared in longitudinal experiments spanning 1 day to ≥3 months. Results The hiPSC-RPE monolayers on ECM-coated BMSF and TCP could be maintained in culture for ≥3 months and displayed RPE-characteristic morphology, pigmentation, polarity, and expression of RPE signature genes and proteins. Furthermore, hiPSC-RPE on both ECM-coated BMSF and TCP displayed robust expression and secretion of several basement membrane proteins. Importantly, hiPSC-RPE cells on COL1-BMSF and LAM-TCP showed similar efficacy in the phagocytosis and degradation of photoreceptor outer segments. Conclusions A biomaterial scaffold manufactured from silk fibroin supports the maturation and long-term survival of a functional hiPSC-RPE monolayer. This has significant implications for both in vitro disease modeling and in vivo cell replacement therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chad A Galloway
- Department of Ophthalmology (Flaum Eye Institute), University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States.,Department of Biomedical Genetics, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States
| | - Sonal Dalvi
- Department of Ophthalmology (Flaum Eye Institute), University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States.,Department of Biomedical Genetics, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States
| | - Audra M A Shadforth
- Queensland Eye Institute, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Queensland, Australia
| | - Shuko Suzuki
- Queensland Eye Institute, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Molly Wilson
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, United States
| | - David Kuai
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, United States
| | - Ali Hashim
- Department of Ophthalmology (Flaum Eye Institute), University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States.,Department of Biomedical Genetics, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States
| | - Leslie A MacDonald
- Department of Ophthalmology (Flaum Eye Institute), University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States.,Department of Biomedical Genetics, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States
| | - David M Gamm
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, United States.,Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, United States.,McPherson Eye Research Institute, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, United States
| | - Damien G Harkin
- Queensland Eye Institute, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Queensland, Australia
| | - Ruchira Singh
- Department of Ophthalmology (Flaum Eye Institute), University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States.,Department of Biomedical Genetics, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States.,Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States.,Univeristy of Rochester Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Institute, Rochester, New York, United States
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3
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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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Bobba S, Di Girolamo N, Munsie M, Chen F, Pébay A, Harkin D, Hewitt AW, O'Connor M, McLenachan S, Shadforth AMA, Watson SL. The current state of stem cell therapy for ocular disease. Exp Eye Res 2018; 177:65-75. [PMID: 30029023 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2018.07.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2018] [Revised: 06/16/2018] [Accepted: 07/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Herein, we review the safety, efficacy, regulatory standards and ethical implications of the use of stem cells in ocular disease. A literature review was conducted, registered clinical trials reviewed, and expert opinions sought. Guidelines and codes of conduct from international societies and professional bodies were also reviewed. Collated data is presented on current progress in the field of ocular regenerative medicine, future challenges, the clinical trial process and ethical considerations in stem cell therapy. A greater understanding of the function and location of ocular stem cells has led to rapid advances in possible therapeutic applications. However, in the context of significant technical challenges and potential long-term complications, it is imperative that stem cell practices operate within formal clinical trial frameworks. While there remains broad scope for innovation, ongoing evidence-based review of potential interventions and the development of standardized protocols are necessary to ensure patient safety and best practice in ophthalmic care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Bobba
- Prince of Wales Hospital Clinical School, High Street, Randwick, Sydney, New South Wales, 2031, Australia.
| | - Nick Di Girolamo
- School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Kensington, Sydney, New South Wales, 2052, Australia
| | - Megan Munsie
- Centre for Stem Cell Systems, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Fred Chen
- Lions Eye Institute, 2 Verdun Street, Nedlands, Western Australia, 6009, Australia
| | - Alice Pébay
- Centre for Stem Cell Systems, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia; Centre for Eye Research Australia, Level 7/32 Gisborne Street, East Melbourne, Victoria, 3002, Australia
| | - Damien Harkin
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, 2 George Street, Brisbane, Queensland, 4000, Australia
| | - Alex W Hewitt
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Level 7/32 Gisborne Street, East Melbourne, Victoria, 3002, Australia; School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Churchill Avenue, Hobart, Tasmania, 7005, Australia
| | - Michael O'Connor
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Victoria Road Parramatta, New South Wales, Parramatta, 2150, Australia
| | - Samuel McLenachan
- Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia, 6009, Australia
| | - Audra M A Shadforth
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, 2 George Street, Brisbane, Queensland, 4000, Australia
| | - Stephanie L Watson
- Prince of Wales Hospital Clinical School, High Street, Randwick, Sydney, New South Wales, 2031, Australia; Save Sight Institute, University of Sydney, 8 Macquarie Street, Sydney, New South Wales, 2000, Australia; Sydney Eye Hospital, 8 Macquarie Street, Sydney, New South Wales, 2000, Australia.
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5
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Santander-Borrego M, Taran E, Shadforth AMA, Whittaker AK, Chirila TV, Blakey I. Hydrogels with Lotus Leaf Topography: Investigating Surface Properties and Cell Adhesion. Langmuir 2017; 33:485-493. [PMID: 28054787 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.6b03547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The interactions of cells with the surface of materials is known to be influenced by a range of factors that include chemistry and roughness; however, it is often difficult to probe these factors individually without also changing the others. Here we investigate the role of roughness on cell adhesion while maintaining the same underlying chemistry. This was achieved by using a polymerization in mold technique to prepare poly(hydroxymethyl methacrylate) hydrogels with either a flat topography or a topography that replicated the microscale features of lotus leaves. These materials were then assessed for cell adhesion, and atomic force microscopy and contact angle analysis were then used to probe the physical reasons for the differing behavior in relation to cell adhesion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriem Santander-Borrego
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland , St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Elena Taran
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland , St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
- Australian National Fabrication Facility-Queensland Node , St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Audra M A Shadforth
- Queensland Eye Institute , 140 Melbourne Street, South Brisbane, Queensland 4101, Australia
| | - Andrew K Whittaker
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland , St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland , St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
- Queensland Eye Institute , 140 Melbourne Street, South Brisbane, Queensland 4101, Australia
| | - Traian V Chirila
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland , St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland , Herston Road, Herston, Queensland 4029, Australia
- Queensland Eye Institute , 140 Melbourne Street, South Brisbane, Queensland 4101, Australia
- Science & Engineering Faculty, Queensland University of Technology , 2 George Street Brisbane, Queensland 4001, Australia
- Faculty of Science, The University of Western Australia , Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia
| | - Idriss Blakey
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland , St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland , St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
- Queensland Eye Institute , 140 Melbourne Street, South Brisbane, Queensland 4101, Australia
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Shadforth AMA, Suzuki S, Theodoropoulos C, Richardson NA, Chirila TV, Harkin DG. A Bruch's membrane substitute fabricated from silk fibroin supports the function of retinal pigment epithelial cells in vitro. J Tissue Eng Regen Med 2015; 11:1915-1924. [PMID: 26449636 DOI: 10.1002/term.2089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2015] [Revised: 06/18/2015] [Accepted: 09/04/2015] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Silk fibroin provides a promising biomaterial for ocular tissue reconstruction, including the damaged outer blood-retinal barrier of patients afflicted with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the function of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells in vitro, when grown on fibroin membranes manufactured to a thickness similar to that of Bruch's membrane (3 µm). Confluent cultures of RPE cells (ARPE-19) were established on fibroin membranes and maintained under conditions designed to promote maturation over 4 months. Control cultures were grown on polyester cell culture well inserts (Transwell® ). Cultures established on either material developed a cobblestone morphology, with partial pigmentation, within 12 weeks. Immunocytochemistry at 16 weeks revealed a similar distribution pattern between cultures for F-actin, ZO-1, ezrin, cytokeratin pair 8/18, RPE-65 and Na+ /K+ -ATPase. Electron microscopy revealed that cultures grown on fibroin displayed a rounder apical surface with a more dense distribution of microvilli. Both cultures avidly ingested fluorescent microspheres coated with vitronectin and bovine serum albumin (BSA), but not controls coated with BSA alone. VEGF and PEDF were detected in the conditioned media collected from above and below the two membrane types. Levels of PEDF were significantly higher than for VEGF on both membranes and a trend was observed towards larger amounts of PEDF in apical compartments. These findings demonstrated that RPE cell functions on fibroin membranes are equivalent to those observed for standard test materials (polyester membranes). As such, these studies support advancement to studies of RPE cell implantation on fibroin membranes in a preclinical model. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Audra M A Shadforth
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Queensland, Australia.,Queensland Eye Institute, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Shuko Suzuki
- Queensland Eye Institute, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Christina Theodoropoulos
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Queensland, Australia.,Queensland Eye Institute, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Neil A Richardson
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Queensland, Australia.,Queensland Eye Institute, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Traian V Chirila
- Queensland Eye Institute, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Queensland, Herston, Queensland, Australia.,Faculty of Science and Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Australian Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia.,Faculty of Science, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Damien G Harkin
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Queensland, Australia.,Queensland Eye Institute, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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7
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Shadforth AMA, Suzuki S, Alzonne R, Edwards GA, Richardson NA, Chirila TV, Harkin DG. Incorporation of Human Recombinant Tropoelastin into Silk Fibroin Membranes with the View to Repairing Bruch's Membrane. J Funct Biomater 2015; 6:946-62. [PMID: 26389960 PMCID: PMC4598686 DOI: 10.3390/jfb6030946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2015] [Revised: 08/18/2015] [Accepted: 09/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Bombyx mori silk fibroin membranes provide a potential delivery vehicle for both cells and extracellular matrix (ECM) components into diseased or injured tissues. We have previously demonstrated the feasibility of growing retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPE) on fibroin membranes with the view to repairing the retina of patients afflicted with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The goal of the present study was to investigate the feasibility of incorporating the ECM component elastin, in the form of human recombinant tropoelastin, into these same membranes. Two basic strategies were explored: (1) membranes prepared from blended solutions of fibroin and tropoelastin; and (2) layered constructs prepared from sequentially cast solutions of fibroin, tropoelastin, and fibroin. Optimal conditions for RPE attachment were achieved using a tropoelastin-fibroin blend ratio of 10 to 90 parts by weight. Retention of tropoelastin within the blend and layered constructs was confirmed by immunolabelling and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). In the layered constructs, the bulk of tropoelastin was apparently absorbed into the initially cast fibroin layer. Blend membranes displayed higher elastic modulus, percentage elongation, and tensile strength (p < 0.01) when compared to the layered constructs. RPE cell response to fibroin membranes was not affected by the presence of tropoelastin. These findings support the potential use of fibroin membranes for the co-delivery of RPE cells and tropoelastin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Audra M A Shadforth
- Queensland Eye Institute, 140 Melbourne Street, South Brisbane, Queensland 4101, Australia.
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, 2 George Street, Brisbane, Queensland 4001, Australia.
| | - Shuko Suzuki
- Queensland Eye Institute, 140 Melbourne Street, South Brisbane, Queensland 4101, Australia.
| | - Raphaelle Alzonne
- Queensland Eye Institute, 140 Melbourne Street, South Brisbane, Queensland 4101, Australia.
| | - Grant A Edwards
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia.
| | - Neil A Richardson
- Queensland Eye Institute, 140 Melbourne Street, South Brisbane, Queensland 4101, Australia.
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, 2 George Street, Brisbane, Queensland 4001, Australia.
| | - Traian V Chirila
- Queensland Eye Institute, 140 Melbourne Street, South Brisbane, Queensland 4101, Australia.
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia.
- Science and Engineering Faculty, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland 4001, Australia.
- Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, Herston, Queensland 4029, Australia.
- Faculty of Science, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia.
| | - Damien G Harkin
- Queensland Eye Institute, 140 Melbourne Street, South Brisbane, Queensland 4101, Australia.
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, 2 George Street, Brisbane, Queensland 4001, Australia.
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8
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Suzuki S, Dawson RA, Chirila TV, Shadforth AMA, Hogerheyde TA, Edwards GA, Harkin DG. Treatment of Silk Fibroin with Poly(ethylene glycol) for the Enhancement of Corneal Epithelial Cell Growth. J Funct Biomater 2015; 6:345-66. [PMID: 26034883 PMCID: PMC4493516 DOI: 10.3390/jfb6020345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2015] [Revised: 05/26/2015] [Accepted: 05/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
A silk protein, fibroin, was isolated from the cocoons of the domesticated silkworm (Bombyx mori) and cast into membranes to serve as freestanding templates for tissue-engineered corneal cell constructs to be used in ocular surface reconstruction. In this study, we sought to enhance the attachment and proliferation of corneal epithelial cells by increasing the permeability of the fibroin membranes and the topographic roughness of their surface. By mixing the fibroin solution with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) of molecular weight 300 Da, membranes were produced with increased permeability and with topographic patterns generated on their surface. In order to enhance their mechanical stability, some PEG-treated membranes were also crosslinked with genipin. The resulting membranes were thoroughly characterized and compared to the non-treated membranes. The PEG-treated membranes were similar in tensile strength to the non-treated ones, but their elastic modulus was higher and elongation lower, indicating enhanced rigidity. The crosslinking with genipin did not induce a significant improvement in mechanical properties. In cultures of a human-derived corneal epithelial cell line (HCE-T), the PEG treatment of the substratum did not improve the attachment of cells and it enhanced only slightly the cell proliferation in the longer term. Likewise, primary cultures of human limbal epithelial cells grew equally well on both non-treated and PEG-treated membranes, and the stratification of cultures was consistently improved in the presence of an underlying culture of irradiated 3T3 feeder cells, irrespectively of PEG-treatment. Nevertheless, the cultures grown on the PEG-treated membranes in the presence of feeder cells did display a higher nuclear-to-cytoplasmic ratio suggesting a more proliferative phenotype. We concluded that while the treatment with PEG had a significant effect on some structural properties of the B. mori silk fibroin (BMSF) membranes, there were minimal gains in the performance of these materials as a substratum for corneal epithelial cell growth. The reduced mechanical stability of freestanding PEG-treated membranes makes them a less viable choice than the non-treated membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuko Suzuki
- Queensland Eye Institute, South Brisbane, Queensland 4101, Australia.
| | - Rebecca A Dawson
- Queensland Eye Institute, South Brisbane, Queensland 4101, Australia.
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland 4001, Australia.
| | - Traian V Chirila
- Queensland Eye Institute, South Brisbane, Queensland 4101, Australia.
- Science and Engineering Faculty, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland 4001, Australia.
- Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, Herston, Queensland 4029, Australia.
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia.
- Faculty of Science, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia.
| | - Audra M A Shadforth
- Queensland Eye Institute, South Brisbane, Queensland 4101, Australia.
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland 4001, Australia.
| | - Thomas A Hogerheyde
- Queensland Eye Institute, South Brisbane, Queensland 4101, Australia.
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland 4001, Australia.
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Queensland 4059, Australia.
| | - Grant A Edwards
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia.
| | - Damien G Harkin
- Queensland Eye Institute, South Brisbane, Queensland 4101, Australia.
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland 4001, Australia.
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Queensland 4059, Australia.
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