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Wilson SE. Two-phase mechanism in the treatment of corneal stromal fibrosis with topical losartan. Exp Eye Res 2024; 242:109884. [PMID: 38570181 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2024.109884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Recent studies in rabbits and case reports in humans have demonstrated the efficacy of topical losartan in the treatment of corneal scarring fibrosis after a wide range of injuries, including chemical burns, infections, surgical complications, and some diseases. It is hypothesized that the effect of losartan on the fibrotic corneal stroma occurs through a two-phase process in which losartan first triggers the elimination of myofibroblasts by directing their apoptosis via inhibition of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)-mediated signal transduction, and possibly through signaling effects on the viability and development of corneal fibroblast and fibrocyte myofibroblast precursor cells. This first step likely occurs within a week or two in most corneas with fibrosis treated with topical losartan, but the medication must be continued for much longer until the epithelial basement membrane (EBM) is fully regenerated or new myofibroblasts will develop from precursor cells. Once the myofibroblasts are eliminated from the fibrotic stroma, corneal fibroblasts can migrate into the fibrotic tissue and reabsorb/reorganize the disordered extracellular matrix (ECM) previously produced by the myofibroblasts. This second stage is longer and more variable in different eyes of rabbits and humans, and accounts for most of the variability in the time it takes for the stromal opacity to be markedly reduced by topical losartan treatment. Eventually, keratocytes reemerge in the previously fibrotic stromal tissue to fine-tune the collagens and other ECM components and maintain the normal structure of the corneal stroma. The efficacy of losartan in the prevention and treatment of corneal fibrosis suggests that it acts as a surrogate for the EBM, by suppressing TGF beta-directed scarring of the wounded corneal stroma, until control over TGF beta action is re-established by a healed EBM, while also supporting regeneration of the EBM by allowing corneal fibroblasts to occupy the subepithelial stroma in the place of myofibroblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven E Wilson
- Cole Eye Institute, The Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH, USA.
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2
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Ahadi M, Ramin S, Abbasi A, Tahmouri H, Hosseini SB. Mini review: human clinical studies of stem cell therapy in keratoconus. BMC Ophthalmol 2024; 24:35. [PMID: 38263090 PMCID: PMC10804477 DOI: 10.1186/s12886-024-03297-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Treatment of keratoconus is one of the most interesting research fields for researchers in the world. Regenerative medicine based on human stem cells in the treatment of keratoconus has recently received attention. Despite extensive laboratory and animal studies in regenerative medicine of cornea, there are limited clinical studies in keratoconus. These studies showed promising results of stem cell therapy. In initial studies, the transplantation of these cells into stroma was associated with increased vision and improved corneal parameters without side effects. In this article, we tried to review different aspects of keratoconus stem cell therapy, including cell extraction and culture, surgical procedure, effectiveness and safety of this method in human clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masoumeh Ahadi
- Department of Optometry, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Shahrokh Ramin
- Department of Optometry, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Incubation Center for Pharmaceutical Technology (ICPT), Cell Therapy Department, Red Crescent Pharmaceutical and Clinical Complex, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Abbasi
- Department of Optometry, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Incubation Center for Pharmaceutical Technology (ICPT), Cell Therapy Department, Red Crescent Pharmaceutical and Clinical Complex, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hanieh Tahmouri
- Department of Optometry, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Bagher Hosseini
- Department of Ophthalmology, Eye Bank of Islamic Republic of Iran, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Zhang Y, Zhang L, Liu Y. Mouse Corneal Epithelial and Stromal Cell Isolation and Culture. Bio Protoc 2023; 13:e4829. [PMID: 37817903 PMCID: PMC10560630 DOI: 10.21769/bioprotoc.4829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Corneal epithelium and stroma are the major cellular structures for ocular protection and vision accuracy; they play important roles in corneal wound healing and inflammation under pathological conditions. Unlike human, murine corneal and stromal fibroblast cells are difficult to isolate for cell culture. In our laboratory, we successfully used an ex vivo culture procedure and an enzymatic procedure to isolate, purify, and culture mouse corneal epithelial and stromal fibroblast cells. Key features • Primary cell culture models of a disease are critical for cellular and molecular mechanism studies. • Corneal tissues with the limbus contain stem cells to generate both epithelial and stromal cells. • An ex vivo corneal culture provides a constant generation of primary corneal cells for multiple passages. • The isolated cells are validated by the corneal epithelial cell markers Krt12 and Cdh1 and the stromal fibroblast marker Vim.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingnan Zhang
- Department of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
- The Rosenberg School of Optometry, University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Lijun Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Third People’s Hospital of Dalian, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Yongqing Liu
- Department of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
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Bradford S, Luo S, Brown D, Juhasz T, Jester J. A review of the epithelial and stromal effects of corneal collagen crosslinking. Ocul Surf 2023; 30:150-159. [PMID: 37683969 PMCID: PMC10993773 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtos.2023.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
Induced corneal collagen crosslinking and mechanical stiffening via ultraviolet-A photoactivation of riboflavin (UVA CXL) is now a common treatment for corneal ectasia and Keratoconus. Some effects of the procedure such as induced mechanical stiffening, corneal flattening, and cellular toxicity are well-known, but others remain more controversial. Authors report a variety of contradictory effects, and provide evidence based on individual results and observations. A full understanding of the effects of and mechanisms behind this procedure are essential to predicting its outcome. A growing interest in modifications to the standard UVA CXL protocol, such as transepithelial or accelerated UVA CXL, makes analyzing the literature as a whole more urgent. This review presents an analysis of both the agreed-upon and contradictory results reported and the various methods used to obtain them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Bradford
- Department of Ophthalmology and Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA.
| | - Shangbang Luo
- Department of Ophthalmology and Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Donald Brown
- Department of Ophthalmology and Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Tibor Juhasz
- Department of Ophthalmology and Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - James Jester
- Department of Ophthalmology and Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
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Shiju TM, Sampaio LP, Martinez VV, Hilgert GSL, Wilson SE. Transforming growth factor beta-3 localization in the corneal response to epithelial-stromal injury and effects on corneal fibroblast transition to myofibroblasts. Exp Eye Res 2023; 235:109631. [PMID: 37633325 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2023.109631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/28/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the localization of TGF beta-3 in situ in unwounded rabbit corneas and corneas that had epithelial-stromal injuries produced by photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) in rabbits and to evaluate the in vitro effects of TGF beta-3 compared to TGF beta-1 on alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) protein expression and myofibroblast development in corneal fibroblasts. Forty-eight New Zealand white rabbits underwent either -3 diopter (D) or -9D PRK and were studied from one to eight weeks (four corneas in each group at each time point) after surgery with immunohistochemistry for TGF beta-3, laminin alpha-5, and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). Rabbit corneal fibroblasts were treated with activated TGF beta-1 and/or TGF beta-3 at different concentrations and duration of exposure and studied with immunocytochemistry for myofibroblast development and the expression of α-SMA using Jess automated Western blotting. TGF beta-3 was detected at high levels in the stroma of unwounded corneas and corneas at one to eight weeks after -3D or -9D PRK, as well as in the epithelium and epithelial basement membrane (EBM). No difference was noted between corneas that healed with and without myofibroblast-mediated fibrosis, although TGF beta-3 was commonly associated with myofibroblasts. TGF beta-3 effects on corneal fibroblasts in vitro were similar to TGF beta-1 in stimulating transition to α-SMA-positive myofibroblasts and promoting α-SMA protein expression. The corneal stromal localization pattern of TGF beta-3 protein in unwounded corneas and corneas after epithelial-stromal injury was found to be higher and different from TGF beta-1 and TGF beta-2 reported in previous studies. TGF beta-3 had similar effects to TGF beta-1 in driving myofibroblast development and α-SMA expression in corneal fibroblasts cultured in medium with 1% fetal bovine serum.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lycia Pedral Sampaio
- Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, United States; Department of Ophthalmology at University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Steven E Wilson
- Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, United States.
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Wang YC, Zolnik OB, Yasoda S, Yeh LK, Yuan Y, Kao W, Saika S, Liu CY. Transforming growth factor beta receptor 2 (Tgfbr2) deficiency in keratocytes results in corneal ectasia. Ocul Surf 2023; 29:557-565. [PMID: 37393064 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtos.2023.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE We hypothesized that Transforming growth factor beta receptor 2 (Tgfbr2) deletion in keratocyte (Tgfbr2kera-cko), the corneal stroma cell, can result in corneal thinning and generate a potential model for Cornea Ectasia (CE). METHODS Corneal thickness of Tgfbr2kera-cko and Tgfbr2Ctrl was examined with Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) at post-natal (P) days 42 and 70, respectively. Histological H&E staining, transmission electron micrograph (TEM), and immunofluorescence staining (IFS) were harnessed to examine corneal cell morphology, proliferation, differentiation, and collagen fibrils. RESULTS Slit-Lamp revealed that corneas were transparent in both Tgfbr2kera-cko and Tgfbr2Ctrl, however, Tgfbr2kera-cko cornea was 33.5% and 42.9% thinner as compared with those of Tgfbr2Ctrl at P42 and P70, respectively. H&E and semithin section staining with toluidine blue-O confirmed that Tgfbr2kera-cko cornea has a thinner stroma. In contrast, the epithelium in Tgfbr2kera-cko was substantially thicker. The cell proliferation marker Ki67 expression level increased ∼9% in Tgfbr2kera-cko corneal epithelium as compared with that in Tgfbr2Ctrl, however, the Krt14 and Krt12 expression pattern was not obviously changed in Tgfbr2kera-cko corneal epithelium. It was noticed that Col1a1 expression was substantially reduced in Tgfbr2kera-cko as compared with that in Tgfbr2Ctrl. TEM showed that keratocytes were unhealthy and stromal collagen fibril density was significantly reduced in Tgfbr2kera-cko as compared with that in Tgfbr2Ctrl cornea. Moreover, mechanical eye-rubbing on Tgfbr2kera-cko resulted in corneal hydrops and edema. CONCLUSION Tgfbr2 in keratocytes is indispensable for the corneal stroma at postnatal homeostasis. The cornea phenotype manifested in these Tgfbr2kera-cko mice resembles corneal ectasia disease in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yen-Chiao Wang
- Edith Crawley Vision Research Center, Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA; Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, MO, USA; School of Optometry, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA.
| | | | - Shingo Yasoda
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama, Japan
| | - Lung-Kun Yeh
- Department of Ophthalmology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan; College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Yong Yuan
- Edith Crawley Vision Research Center, Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Winston Kao
- Edith Crawley Vision Research Center, Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Shizuya Saika
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama, Japan
| | - Chia-Yang Liu
- Edith Crawley Vision Research Center, Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA; School of Optometry, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
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Sampaio LP, Shiju TM, Hilgert GSL, de Oliveira RC, DeDreu J, Menko AS, Santhiago MR, Wilson SE. Descemet's membrane injury and regeneration, and posterior corneal fibrosis, in rabbits. Exp Eye Res 2021; 213:108803. [PMID: 34736886 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2021.108803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [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: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 09/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this investigation was to study Descemet's membrane and corneal endothelial regeneration, myofibroblast generation and disappearance, and TGF beta-1 localization after Descemet's membrane-endothelial excision (Descemetorhexis) in rabbits. Thirty-six rabbits had 8 mm Descemetorhexis and standardized slit lamp photos at 1, 2 and 4 days, 1, 2 and 4 weeks, and 2, 4 and 6 months, as well as multiplex IHC for stromal cell markers keratocan, vimentin, and alpha-smooth muscle actin (SMA); basement membrane (BM) components perlecan, nidogen-1, laminin alpha-5, and collagen type IV; and corneal endothelial marker Na,K-ATPase β1, and TGF beta-1, with ImageJ quantitation. Stromal transparency increased from the periphery beginning at two months after injury and progressed into the central cornea by six months. At six months, central transparency was primarily limited by persistent mid-stromal neovascularization. Stromal myofibroblast zone thickness in the posterior stroma peaked at one month after injury, and then progressively decreased until to six months when few myofibroblasts remained. The regeneration of a laminin alpha-5 and nidogen-1 Descemet's membrane "railroad track" structure was accompanied by corneal endothelial closure and stromal cell production of BM components in corneas from four to six months after injury. TGF beta-1 deposition at the posterior corneal surface from the aqueous humor peaked at one day after Descemetorhexis and diminished even before regeneration of the endothelium and Descemet's membrane. This decrease was associated with collagen type IV protein production by corneal fibroblasts, and possibly myofibroblasts, in the posterior stroma. Descemet's membrane and the corneal endothelium regenerated in the rabbit cornea by six months after eight mm Descemetorhexis. Real-time quantitative RT-PCR experiments in vitro with marker-verified rabbit corneal cells found that 5 ng/ml or 10 ng/ml TGF beta-1 upregulated col4a1 or col4a2 mRNA expression after 6 h or 12 h of exposure in corneal fibroblasts, but not in myofibroblasts. Stromal cells produced large amounts of collagen type IV that likely decreased TGF beta-1 penetration into the stroma and facilitated the resolution of myofibroblast-generated fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lycia Pedral Sampaio
- Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA; Department of Ophthalmology at University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Rodrigo Carlos de Oliveira
- Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA; Department of Ophthalmology at University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - JodiRae DeDreu
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - A Sue Menko
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Brown ME, Montgomery ML, Kamath MM, Nicholas S, Liu Y, Karamichos D, Fuller KK. A novel 3D culture model of fungal keratitis to explore host-pathogen interactions within the stromal environment. Exp Eye Res 2021; 207:108581. [PMID: 33865843 PMCID: PMC9220295 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2021.108581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [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: 11/12/2020] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Fungal keratitis (FK) pathology is driven by both fungal growth and inflammation within the corneal stroma. Standard in vitro infection models ̶ involving co-culture of the pathogen and the corneal cells in tissue culture medium ̶ are sufficient to probe host responses to the fungus; however, they lack the physiological structure and nutrient composition of the stroma to accurately study fungal invasiveness and metabolic processes. We therefore sought to develop a culture model of FK that would allow for both host and fungal cell biology to be evaluated in parallel. Towards this end, we employed a previously described system in which primary human cornea fibroblasts (HCFs) are cultured on transwell membranes, whereupon they secrete a three-dimensional (3D) collagen matrix that resembles the human stroma. We demonstrated that two common mold agents of FK, Fusarium petroliphilum and Aspergillus fumigatus, penetrated into these constructs and caused a disruption of the collagen matrix that is characteristic of infection. HCF morphology appeared altered in the presence of fungus and electron microscopy revealed a clear internalization of fungal spores into these cells. Consistent with this apparent phagocyte-like activity of the HCFs, mRNA and protein levels for several pro-inflammatory cytokines/chemokines (including TNFα, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8) were significantly upregulated compared to uninfected samples. We similarly found an upregulation of several HCF metalloproteases (MMPs), which are enzymes that breakdown collagen during wound healing and may further activate pro-inflammatory signaling molecules. Finally, several fungal collagenase genes were upregulated during growth in the constructs relative to growth in tissue culture media alone, suggesting a fungal metabolic shift towards protein catabolism. Taken together, our results indicate that this 3D-stromal model provides a physiologically relevant system to study host and fungal cell pathobiology during FK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina E Brown
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Micaela L Montgomery
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Manali M Kamath
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Sarah Nicholas
- North Texas Eye Research Institute, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, TX, 76107, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, TX, 76107, USA
| | - Yutao Liu
- Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Dimitrios Karamichos
- North Texas Eye Research Institute, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, TX, 76107, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, TX, 76107, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, TX, 76107, USA
| | - Kevin K Fuller
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.
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Wilson SE, Sampaio LP, Shiju TM, Carlos de Oliveira R. Fibroblastic and bone marrow-derived cellularity in the corneal stroma. Exp Eye Res 2020; 202:108303. [PMID: 33068626 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2020.108303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 06/27/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The unwounded, normal corneal stroma is a relatively simple, avascular tissue populated with quiescent keratocytes, along with corneal nerves and a few resident dendritic and monocyte/macrophage cells. In the past, the resting keratocytes were thought of as a homogenous cellular population, but recent work has shown local variations in vimentin and nestin expression, and responsiveness to transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1. Studies have also supported there being "stromal stem cells" in localized areas. After corneal wounding, depending on the site and severity of injury, profound changes in stromal cellularity occur. Anterior or posterior injuries to the epithelium or endothelium, respectively, trigger apoptosis of adjacent keratocytes. Many contiguous keratocytes transition to keratocan-negative corneal fibroblasts that are proliferative and produce limited amounts of disorganized extracellular matrix components. Simultaneously, large numbers of bone marrow-derived cells, including monocytes, neutrophils, fibrocytes and lymphocytes, invade the stroma from the limbal blood vessels. Ongoing adequate levels of TGFβ1, TGFβ2 and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) from epithelium, tears, endothelium and aqueous humor that penetrate defective or absent epithelial barrier function (EBF) and epithelial basement membrane (EBM) and/or Descemet's basement membrane (DBM) drive corneal fibroblasts and fibrocytes to differentiate into alpha-smooth muscle actin (SMA)-positive myofibroblasts. If the EBF, EBM and/or DBM are repaired or replaced in a timely manner, typically measured in weeks, then corneal fibroblast and fibrocyte progeny, deprived of requisite levels of TGFβ1 and TGFβ2, undergo apoptosis or revert to their precursor cell-types. If the EBF, EBM and/or DBM are not repaired or replaced, stromal levels of TGFβ1 and TGFβ2 remain elevated, and mature myofibroblasts are generated from corneal fibroblasts and fibrocyte precursors that produce prodigious amounts of disordered extracellular matrix materials associated with scarring fibrosis. This fibrotic stromal matrix persists, at least until the EBF, EBM and/or DBM are regenerated or replaced, and keratocytes remove and reorganize the affected stromal matrix.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven E Wilson
- Cole Eye Institute, I-32, Cleveland Clinic, 9500, Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH, United States.
| | - Lycia Pedral Sampaio
- Cole Eye Institute, I-32, Cleveland Clinic, 9500, Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Thomas Michael Shiju
- Cole Eye Institute, I-32, Cleveland Clinic, 9500, Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH, United States
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Tidu A, Schanne-Klein MC, Borderie VM. Development, structure, and bioengineering of the human corneal stroma: A review of collagen-based implants. Exp Eye Res 2020; 200:108256. [PMID: 32971095 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2020.108256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [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: 06/14/2020] [Revised: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Bio-engineering technologies are currently used to produce biomimetic artificial corneas that should present structural, chemical, optical, and biomechanical properties close to the native tissue. These properties are mainly supported by the corneal stroma which accounts for 90% of corneal thickness and is mainly made of collagen type I. The stromal collagen fibrils are arranged in lamellae that have a plywood-like organization. The fibril diameter is between 25 and 35 nm and the interfibrillar space about 57 nm. The number of lamellae in the central stroma is estimated to be 300. In the anterior part, their size is 10-40 μm. They appear to be larger in the posterior part of the stroma with a size of 60-120 μm. Their thicknesses also vary from 0.2 to 2.5 μm. During development, the acellular corneal stroma, which features a complex pattern of organization, serves as a scaffold for mesenchymal cells that invade and further produce the cellular stroma. Several pathways including Bmp4, Wnt/β-catenin, Notch, retinoic acid, and TGF-β, in addition to EFTFs including the mastering gene Pax-6, are involved in corneal development. Besides, retinoic acid and TGF- β seem to have a crucial role in the neural crest cell migration in the stroma. Several technologies can be used to produce artificial stroma. Taking advantage of the liquid-crystal properties of acid-soluble collagen, it is possible to produce transparent stroma-like matrices with native-like collagen I fibrils and plywood-like organization, where epithelial cells can adhere and proliferate. Other approaches include the use of recombinant collagen, cross-linkers, vitrification, plastically compressed collagen or magnetically aligned collagen, providing interesting optical and mechanical properties. These technologies can be classified according to collagen type and origin, presence of telopeptides and native-like fibrils, structure, and transparency. Collagen matrices feature transparency >80% for the appropriate 500-μm thickness. Non-collagenous matrices made of biopolymers including gelatin, silk, or fish scale have been developed which feature interesting properties but are less biomimetic. These bioengineered matrices still need to be colonized by stromal cells to fully reproduce the native stroma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurélien Tidu
- Institut de la Vision, Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Centre Hospitalier, National d'Ophtalmologie des 15-20, 75571, Paris, France; Groupe de Recherche Clinique 32, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Marie-Claire Schanne-Klein
- Laboratory for Optics and Biosciences, LOB, Ecole Polytechnique, CNRS, Inserm, Université Paris-Saclay, 91128, Palaiseau, France
| | - Vincent M Borderie
- Institut de la Vision, Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Centre Hospitalier, National d'Ophtalmologie des 15-20, 75571, Paris, France; Groupe de Recherche Clinique 32, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France.
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Domínguez-Serrano FB, Caro-Magdaleno M, Mataix-Albert B, Molina-Solana P, Montero-Iruzubieta J, Rodríguez-de-la-Rúa E. Ocular surface analysis in patients diagnosed with X-linked ichthyosis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 95:565-568. [PMID: 32660766 DOI: 10.1016/j.oftal.2020.04.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [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: 01/29/2020] [Revised: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Seven patients (14 eyes) diagnosed with X-linked ichthyosis were studied using the Schirmer test, biomicroscopy, tonometry, endothelial count, optical coherence tomography, Pentacam®, ocular surface analyser, and confocal microscopy. The mean age was 33.83±20.17 years (range: 7-64 years). The most frequent findings in biomicroscopy were Meibomian glands dysfunction (83.3%) and stromal corneal opacities (33%). The tear break-up time was found shortened in 25% of the eyes. Confocal microscopy (both eyes) revealed activated keratocytes with hyper-reflective particles inside them in the anterior stroma and outside them in the posterior stroma. It is believed that the inclusion of the use of confocal microscopy will help in a better understanding of the corneal pathology associated with ichthyosis X, as well as new characteristics of these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - M Caro-Magdaleno
- UGC Oftalmología, Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena, Sevilla, España; Departamento de Cirugía, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, España; RETICS-OFTARED.
| | - B Mataix-Albert
- UGC Oftalmología, Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena, Sevilla, España
| | - P Molina-Solana
- UGC Oftalmología, Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena, Sevilla, España
| | | | - E Rodríguez-de-la-Rúa
- UGC Oftalmología, Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena, Sevilla, España; Departamento de Cirugía, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, España; RETICS-OFTARED
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12
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Nagymihaly RM, Moe MC, Petrovski G. Isolation and Culture of Corneal Stromal Stem Cells. Methods Mol Biol 2020; 2145:1-15. [PMID: 32542596 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-0599-8_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
An increasing body of evidence authenticates the benefit of corneal stroma-derived stem cells (CSSCs) in tissue engineering and regeneration oriented research, and potentially in the development of clinically relevant cellular therapies. Postmortem corneal tissue obtained from otherwise discarded material after keratoplasties is oftentimes the source of the cells for ex vivo research. Relatively easy to isolate and cultivate as well as inexpensive to culture, CSSCs now represent a well-described cell type with attributes of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). These include differentiation- and immunosuppressive potential, as well as a favorable capacity to expand in vitro. Here, we in detail describe two straightforward methods to isolate and establish CSSC cultures ex vivo.
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13
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Xian-Kui H, Hui-Fang W, Jing-Ran S, Yu-Rong H, Bo-Yu C, Xiu-Jun S. P38 Inhibition Prevents Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 (HSV-1) Infection in Cultured Corneal Keratocytes. Curr Eye Res 2020; 45:1342-1351. [PMID: 32250648 DOI: 10.1080/02713683.2020.1748658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Purpose: To evaluate keratocyte viability and proinflammatory cytokine secretion induced by HSV-1 infection. Methods: Keratocytes were separated from corneal tissues obtained with the SMILE procedure, and an in vitro system was established to study HSV-1 infection in human keratocytes. Cell viability, HSV-1 genomic DNA copy number, and the expression levels of α-SMA, ALDH1A1, phospho-p38, p38, phospho-IRF3, and IRF3 were evaluated. Antibody array and ELISA kits were used to measure the production of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Results: We found that HSV-1 infection reduced cell viability and activated keratocyte transdifferentiation into corneal fibroblast-like cells. Furthermore, p38 inhibition improved cell viability and IFN-β production and played an anti-inflammatory role by reducing the production of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Conclusions: Our study reveals an important role played by keratocytes during innate immune responses and identifies p38 inhibition as a potential therapeutic approach to control ocular HSV-1 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Xian-Kui
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shijiazhuang Aier Eye Hospital , Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Wang Hui-Fang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shijiazhuang Aier Eye Hospital , Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Shen Jing-Ran
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shijiazhuang Aier Eye Hospital , Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Hou Yu-Rong
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shijiazhuang Aier Eye Hospital , Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Chen Bo-Yu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shijiazhuang Aier Eye Hospital , Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Song Xiu-Jun
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shijiazhuang Aier Eye Hospital , Shijiazhuang, China
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14
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Bhattacharjee P, Cavanagh BL, Ahearne M. Effect of substrate topography on the regulation of human corneal stromal cells. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2020; 190:110971. [PMID: 32197207 DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2020.110971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Revised: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Optimal functionality of native corneal stroma depends on a well-ordered arrangement of extracellular matrix (ECM). To develop an in vitro corneal model, replication of the corneal in vivo microenvironment is needed. In this study, the impact of topographic cues on keratocyte phenotype is reported. Photolithography and polymer moulding were used to fabricate microgrooves on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) 2-2.5 μm deep and 5 μm, 10 μm, or 20 μm in width. Microgrooves constrained the cells body, compressed nuclei and led to cytoskeletal reorganization. It also influenced the concentration of actin filaments, condensation of chromatin and cell proliferation. Cells became more spread and actin filament concentration decreased as the microgroove width increased. Relationships were also demonstrated between microgroove width and cellular processes such as adhesion, migration and gene expression. Immunocytochemistry and gene expression (RT-PCR) analysis showed that microgroove width upregulated keratocyte specific genes. A microgroove with 5 μm width led to a pronounced alignment of cells along the edges of the microchannels and better supported cell polarization and migration compared with other microgroove widths or planar substrates. These findings provide important fundamental knowledge that could serve as a basis for better-controlled tissue growth and cell-engineering applications for corneal stroma regeneration through topographical patterns.
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15
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Jeon KI, Nehrke K, Huxlin KR. Semaphorin 3A potentiates the profibrotic effects of transforming growth factor-β1 in the cornea. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2020; 521:333-339. [PMID: 31668808 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2019.10.107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [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: 09/24/2019] [Accepted: 10/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Corneal scarring is a major cause of blindness worldwide with few effective therapeutic options. Finding a treatment would be of tremendous public health benefit, but requires a thorough understanding of the complex interactions that underlie this phenomenon. Here, we tested the hypothesis that the large increase in expression of Semaphorin 3A (SEMA3A) in corneal wounds contributes to the development of stromal fibrosis. We first verified this increased expression in vivo, in a cat model of photorefractive keratectomy-induced corneal wounding. We then examined the impact of adding exogenous SEMA3A to cultured corneal fibroblasts, and assessed how this affected the ability of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-β1) to induce their differentiation into myofibroblasts. Finally, we examined how siRNA knockdown of endogenous SEMA3A affected these same phenomena. We found exogenous SEMA3A to significantly potentiate TGF-β1's profibrotic effects, with only a minimal contribution from cell-intrinsic SEMA3A. Our results suggest a previously unrecognized interaction between SEMA3A and TGF-β1 in the wounded cornea, and a possible contribution of SEMA3A to the regulation of tissue fibrosis and remodeling in this transparent organ.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Keith Nehrke
- Department of Medicine, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
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16
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Lam KH, Kivanany PB, Grose K, Yonet-Tanyeri N, Alsmadi N, Varner VD, Petroll WM, Schmidtke DW. A high-throughput microfluidic method for fabricating aligned collagen fibrils to study Keratocyte behavior. Biomed Microdevices 2019; 21:99. [PMID: 31741114 PMCID: PMC7228026 DOI: 10.1007/s10544-019-0436-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
In vivo, keratocytes are surrounded by aligned type I collagen fibrils that are organized into lamellae. A growing body of literature suggests that the unique topography of the corneal stroma is an important regulator of keratocyte behavior. In this study we describe a microfluidic method to deposit aligned fibrils of type I collagen onto glass coverslips. This high-throughput method allowed for the simultaneous coating of up to eight substrates with aligned collagen fibrils. When these substrates were integrated into a PDMS microwell culture system they provided a platform for high-resolution imaging of keratocyte behavior. Through the use of wide-field fluorescence and differential interference contrast microscopy, we observed that the density of collagen fibrils deposited was dependent upon both the perfusion shear rate of collagen and the time of perfusion. In contrast, a similar degree of fibril alignment was observed over a range of shear rates. When primary normal rabbit keratocytes (NRK) were seeded on substrates with a high density of aligned collagen fibrils and cultured in the presence of platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) the keratocytes displayed an elongated cell body that was co-aligned with the underlying collagen fibrils. In contrast, when NRK were cultured on substrates with a low density of aligned collagen fibrils, the cells showed no preferential orientation. These results suggest that this simple and inexpensive method can provide a general platform to study how simultaneous exposure to topographical and soluble cues influence cell behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin H Lam
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Dallas, 800 W. Campbell Rd, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
| | - Pouriska B Kivanany
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX, 75390-9057, USA
| | - Kyle Grose
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX, 75390-9057, USA
| | - Nihan Yonet-Tanyeri
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX, 75390-9057, USA
| | - Nesreen Alsmadi
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Dallas, 800 W. Campbell Rd, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
| | - Victor D Varner
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Dallas, 800 W. Campbell Rd, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
- Department of Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX, 75390-9057, USA
| | - W Matthew Petroll
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX, 75390-9057, USA
| | - David W Schmidtke
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Dallas, 800 W. Campbell Rd, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA.
- Department of Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX, 75390-9057, USA.
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17
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Słoniecka M, Danielson P. Substance P induces fibrotic changes through activation of the RhoA/ROCK pathway in an in vitro human corneal fibrosis model. J Mol Med (Berl) 2019; 97:1477-1489. [PMID: 31399750 PMCID: PMC6746877 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-019-01827-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [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: 01/29/2019] [Revised: 06/24/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Fibrosis is characterized by hardening, overgrowth, and development of scars in various tissues as a result of faulty reparative processes, diseases, or chronic inflammation. During the fibrotic process in the corneal stroma of the eye, the resident cells called keratocytes differentiate into myofibroblasts, specialized contractile fibroblastic cells that produce excessive amounts of disorganized extracellular matrix (ECM) and pro-fibrotic components such as alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and fibronectin. This study aimed to elucidate the role of substance P (SP), a neuropeptide that has been shown to be involved in corneal wound healing, in ECM production and fibrotic markers expression in quiescent human keratocytes, and during the onset of fibrosis in corneal fibroblasts, in an in vitro human corneal fibrosis model. We report that SP induces keratocyte contraction and upregulates gene expression of collagens I, III, and V, and fibrotic markers: α-SMA and fibronectin, in keratocytes. Using our in vitro human corneal fibrosis model, we show that SP enhances gene expression and secretion of collagens I, III, and V, and lumican. Moreover, SP upregulates gene expression and secretion of α-SMA and fibronectin, and increases contractility of corneal fibroblasts during the onset of fibrosis. Activation of the preferred SP receptor, the neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1R), is necessary for the SP-induced pro-fibrotic changes. In addition, SP induces the pro-fibrotic changes through activation of the RhoA/ROCK pathway. Taken together, we show that SP has a pro-fibrotic effect in both quiescent human keratocytes and during the onset of fibrosis in an in vitro human corneal fibrosis model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Słoniecka
- Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Umeå University, SE-901 87, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Patrik Danielson
- Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Umeå University, SE-901 87, Umeå, Sweden.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Ophthalmology, Umeå University, SE-901 87, Umeå, Sweden.
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18
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Wu YF, Wang CY, Yang TL, Tsao PN, Lin SJ, Tan HY. Intravital multiphoton microscopic imaging platform for ocular surface imaging. Exp Eye Res 2019; 182:194-201. [PMID: 30822399 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2019.02.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2018] [Revised: 02/08/2019] [Accepted: 02/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to provide an intravital noninvasive multiphoton microscopic platform for long-term ocular imaging in transgenic fluorescent mice with subcellular resolution. A multiphoton microscopic system with tunable laser output was employed. We designed a mouse holder incorporated with stereotaxic motorized stage for in vivo three-dimensional imaging of ocular surface in 3 transgenic mouse line with fluorescent protein (FP) expression to visualize distinct structures. With our imaging platform and the expression of FPs, we obtained the three-dimensional images across the whole cornea from epithelium to endothelium and in conjunctiva with subcellular resolution in vivo. Specified EGFP expression in corneal epithelium of K5-H2B-EGFP mice helped to identify both corneal and limbal epithelial cells while ubiquitous nuclear FP expression in R26R-GR mice allowed us to visualized nuclei of all cell types. Universal membrane-localized FP in mT/mG mice outlined all cell boundaries, nerve fibers, and capillaries. The simultaneously collected second harmonic generation signals from collagenous stroma provided architectural contrast. Time-lapsed recording enabled monitoring the mitotic activity of corneal epithelial cells and limbal epithelial cells. We developed an intravital multiphoton microscopic stereotaxic imaging platform and showed that, by incorporating FP-expressing transgenic mice, this platform enables in vivo 4-dimensional ophthalmic study at subcellular resolution.
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19
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Abstract
PURPOSE To identify biochemical cues that could promote a keratocyte-like phenotype in human corneal stromal cells that had become fibroblastic when expanded in serum-supplemented media while also examining the effect on cell proliferation and migration. METHODS Proliferation was assessed by PrestoBlue™, morphology was monitored by phase contrast microscopy, phenotype was analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), immunochemistry and flow cytometry, and migration was studied with a scratch assay. RESULTS Ascorbic Acid (AA), Retinoic Acid (RA), Insulin-Transferrin-Selenium (ITS), Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1) and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX) promoted a dendritic morphology, increased the expression of keratocyte markers, such as keratocan, aldehyde dehydrogenase 3 family member A1 (ALDH3A1) and CD34, and prevented myofibroblast differentiation, while in some cases increasing proliferation. Transforming Growth Factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) and 3 (TGF-β3) promoted the differentiation toward myofibroblasts, with increased expression of α-SMA. Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 (FGF-2) supported a fibroblastic phenotype while Platelet-Derived Growth Factor Homodimer B (PDGF-BB) induced a pro-migratory fibroblastic phenotype. A combination of all the pro-keratocyte factors was also compared to the serum-free only, which significantly increased CD34 and keratocan expression. CONCLUSIONS Partially recovery towards a quiescent keratocyte-like phenotype was achieved by the removal of serum and the addition of AA, IGF-1, RA, ITS and IBMX to a basal medium. These findings can be used to develop cell-based corneal therapies and to study corneal diseases in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Fernández-Pérez
- a Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, School of Engineering, Trinity College Dublin , University of Dublin , Dublin , Ireland.,b Trinity Centre for Bioengineering, Trinity Biomedical Science Institute, Trinity College Dublin , University of Dublin , Dublin , Ireland
| | - Mark Ahearne
- a Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, School of Engineering, Trinity College Dublin , University of Dublin , Dublin , Ireland.,b Trinity Centre for Bioengineering, Trinity Biomedical Science Institute, Trinity College Dublin , University of Dublin , Dublin , Ireland
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20
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Koudouna E, Mikula E, Brown DJ, Young RD, Quantock AJ, Jester JV. Cell regulation of collagen fibril macrostructure during corneal morphogenesis. Acta Biomater 2018; 79:96-112. [PMID: 30170195 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2018.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2018] [Revised: 08/06/2018] [Accepted: 08/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
While tissue form and function is highly dependent upon tissue-specific collagen composition and organization, little is known of the mechanisms controlling the bundling of collagen fibrils into fibers and larger structural designs that lead to the formation of bones, tendons and other tissues. Using the cornea as a model system, our previous 3 dimensional mapping of collagen fiber organization has demonstrated that macrostructural organization of collagen fibers involving interweaving, branching and anastomosing plays a critical role in controlling mechanical stiffness, corneal shape and refractive power. In this work, the cellular and mechanical mechanisms regulating critical events in the assembly of collagen macrostructure are analysed in the developing chicken cornea. We elucidated the temporal events leading to adult corneal structure and determined the effects of intraocular pressure (IOP) on the organization of the collagen macrostructure. Our findings indicate that the complex adult collagen organization begins to appear on embryonic day 10 (E10) after deposition of the primary stroma and full invasion of keratocytes. Importantly, organizational changes in keratocytes appearing at E9 preceded and predicted later changes in collagen organization. Corneal collagen organization remained unaffected when the development of IOP was blocked at E4. These findings support a primary role for keratocytes in controlling stromal organization, mechanical stiffness and corneal shape that are not regulated by the IOP. Our findings also suggest that the avian cornea represents an excellent experimental model for elucidating key regulatory steps and mechanisms controlling the collagen fiber organization that is critical to determining tissue form and function. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE This work by using an ex ovo model system, begins to investigate the potential mechanisms controlling collagen fibril macrostructure. In particular, this work highlights a convergent role for the corneal keratocytes in organizing the complex collagen macrostructure, necessary to support high visual acuity. Our data supports that the intraocular pressure does not influence collagen fibril macrostructure and suggest that the avian cornea represents an excellent experimental model for elucidating key regulatory steps and mechanisms controlling the collagen fiber organization that is critical to determining tissue form and function. Clearly understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie collagen fibril macrostructure will be highly beneficial for future tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications.
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Abstract
Corneal transplantation constitutes one of the leading treatments for severe cases of loss of corneal function. Due to its limitations, a concerted effort has been made by tissue engineers to produce functional, synthetic corneal prostheses as an alternative recourse. However, successful translation of these therapies into the clinic has not yet been accomplished. 3D bioprinting is an emerging technology that can be harnessed for the fabrication of biological tissue for clinical applications. We applied this to the area of corneal tissue engineering in order to fabricate corneal structures that resembled the structure of the native human corneal stroma using an existing 3D digital human corneal model and a suitable support structure. These were 3D bioprinted from an in-house collagen-based bio-ink containing encapsulated corneal keratocytes. Keratocytes exhibited high cell viability both at day 1 post-printing (>90%) and at day 7 (83%). We established 3D bio-printing to be a feasible method by which artificial corneal structures can be engineered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail Isaacson
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Stephen Swioklo
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Che J Connon
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK.
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22
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Olivieri M, Cristaldi M, Pezzino S, Rusciano D, Tomasello B, Anfuso CD, Lupo G. Phenotypic characterization of the SIRC (Statens Seruminstitut Rabbit Cornea) cell line reveals a mixed epithelial and fibroblastic nature. Exp Eye Res 2018; 172:123-127. [PMID: 29653143 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2018.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [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: 12/11/2017] [Revised: 04/04/2018] [Accepted: 04/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate, in the Statens Seruminstitut Rabbit Cornea (SIRC) cell line, the presence of epithelial and fibroblastic markers, comparing their levels with those of the human Retinal Pigmented Epithelial (ARPE-19) cell line, and the Human Keratocyte (HK) cell line, respectively. SIRC cells, often described as of epithelial origin, are used as a corneal epithelial barrier model to study the permeability of ophthalmic drugs. However, they show a morphology that is more consistent with a fibroblastic cell phenotype, similar to corneal keratocytes. Our comparative analyses of cell type specific markers demonstrated that SIRC do not express cytokeratins 19 and 16 (typical of ARPE-19) and cytokeratin 9 (typical of HK); they do express cytokeratins 3 and 18 common to all three cell lines, and cytokeratin 12 typical of ARPE-19. Tight junction proteins were absent in HK, and lower in SIRC than in ARPE-19. All cell lines expressed the markers lumican and vimentin, with SIRC expressing intermediate levels between HK and ARPE-19; alpha-SMA was highly expressed in all lines. These markers, considered typical of fibroblasts, can be, however, expressed by epithelial cells during wound healing. These results might suggest that long-term in vitro cultivation of cell lines leads to a derangement of their specific phenotype, most likely due to genetic and epigenetic factors. This could be the reason why SIRC cells came to exhibit a hybrid nature between epithelial and fibroblastic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Barbara Tomasello
- Sooft Italia SpA, Catania, Italy; Dept Drug Science, Section of Biochemistry, University of Catania, Italy
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Karamanou K, Perrot G, Maquart FX, Brézillon S. Lumican as a multivalent effector in wound healing. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2018; 129:344-351. [PMID: 29501701 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2018.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2017] [Revised: 01/31/2018] [Accepted: 02/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Wound healing, a complex physiological process, is responsible for tissue repair after exposure to destructive stimuli, without resulting in complete functional regeneration. Injuries can be stromal or epithelial, and most cases of wound repair have been studied in the skin and cornea. Lumican, a small leucine-rich proteoglycan, is expressed in the extracellular matrices of several tissues, such as the cornea, cartilage, and skin. This molecule has been shown to regulate collagen fibrillogenesis, keratinocyte phenotypes, and corneal transparency modulation. Lumican is also involved in the extravasation of inflammatory cells and angiogenesis, which are both critical in stromal wound healing. Lumican is the only member of the small leucine-rich proteoglycan family expressed by the epithelia during wound healing. This review summarizes the importance of lumican in wound healing and potential methods of lumican drug delivery to target wound repair are discussed. The involvement of lumican in corneal wound healing is described based on in vitro and in vivo models, with critical emphasis on its underlying mechanisms of action. Similarly, the expression and role of lumican in the healing of other tissues are presented, with emphasis on skin wound healing. Overall, lumican promotes normal wound repair and broadens new therapeutic perspectives for impaired wound healing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantina Karamanou
- Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Laboratoire de Biochimie Médicale et Biologie Moléculaire, Reims, France; Biochemistry, Biochemical Analysis & Matrix Pathobiology Research Group, Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Patras, Patras, Greece; CNRS UMR 7369, Matrice Extracellulaire et Dynamique Cellulaire, Reims, France
| | - Gwenn Perrot
- Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Laboratoire de Biochimie Médicale et Biologie Moléculaire, Reims, France; CNRS UMR 7369, Matrice Extracellulaire et Dynamique Cellulaire, Reims, France
| | - Francois-Xavier Maquart
- Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Laboratoire de Biochimie Médicale et Biologie Moléculaire, Reims, France; CNRS UMR 7369, Matrice Extracellulaire et Dynamique Cellulaire, Reims, France; CHU Reims, Laboratoire Central de Biochimie, Reims, France
| | - Stéphane Brézillon
- Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Laboratoire de Biochimie Médicale et Biologie Moléculaire, Reims, France; CNRS UMR 7369, Matrice Extracellulaire et Dynamique Cellulaire, Reims, France.
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24
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Zhu S, Xu X, Liu K, Gu Q, Wei F, Jin H. Peptide GC31 inhibits chemokines and ICAM-1 expression in corneal fibroblasts exposed to LPS or poly(I:C) by blocking the NF-κB and MAPK pathways. Exp Eye Res 2017; 164:109-117. [PMID: 28778400 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2017.07.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2016] [Revised: 07/10/2017] [Accepted: 07/28/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
In keratitis, keratocytes play a vital role by releasing inflammatory cytokines and expressing intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1). GC31 is a peptide derived from thrombomodulin, an endogenous protein with potential anti-inflammation properties. We evaluated the protective effect of GC31 in LPS- or poly(I:C)-induced corneal fibroblasts. Cultured keratocytes were treated with either LPS or poly(I:C); The mRNA and protein expressions of IL-6, IL-8, MCP-1, and IFN-γ were determined by real-time RT-PCR and ELISA. The expression level of ICAM-1 was estimated by real-time RT-PCR, immunofluorescence, and western blot. The underlying pathways were investigated by detecting NF-κB p65 translocation and phosphorylation of IκBα, p65, p38, JNK, and ERK. The MTS assay was used to measure cell viability of keratocytes after GC31 incubation. The elevation of IL-6, IL-8, MCP-1, and IFN-γ expression induced by LPS or poly(I:C) was significantly inhibited by GC31 in a dose-dependent manner at both mRNA and protein levels. GC31 also reduced the expression of ICAM-1 in keratocytes after LPS or poly(I:C) stimulation. LPS or poly(I:C) induced p65 translocation and phosphorylation of IκBα, p65, p38, and JNK were suppressed by GC31.GC31 is not only an effective inhibitor of LPS-induced inflammatory response, but it also inhibits poly(I:C)-induced release of inflammatory cytokines and ICAM-1 expression by blocking the NF-κB and MAPK (p38 and JNK) pathways. This suggested that GC31 may exert a protective effect in attenuating corneal inflammation by suppressing the immune response of the fibroblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaopin Zhu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, No. 100, Haining Road, Shanghai, People's Republic of China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Fundus Disease, No. 100, Haining Road, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Xun Xu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, No. 100, Haining Road, Shanghai, People's Republic of China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Fundus Disease, No. 100, Haining Road, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Kun Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, No. 100, Haining Road, Shanghai, People's Republic of China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Fundus Disease, No. 100, Haining Road, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Qing Gu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, No. 100, Haining Road, Shanghai, People's Republic of China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Fundus Disease, No. 100, Haining Road, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Fang Wei
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, No. 100, Haining Road, Shanghai, People's Republic of China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Fundus Disease, No. 100, Haining Road, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Huiyi Jin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, No. 100, Haining Road, Shanghai, People's Republic of China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Fundus Disease, No. 100, Haining Road, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
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25
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Zhang L, Anderson MC, Liu CY. The role of corneal stroma: A potential nutritional source for the cornea. J Nat Sci 2017; 3:e428. [PMID: 28936480 PMCID: PMC5605150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Corneal stroma plays a pivotal role in normal visual function. Anatomically, it is located between the outer epithelium and the inner endothelium and is the thickest layer of the cornea. Keratocytes in the stroma produce a variety of cellular products, including growth factors/cytokines, extracellular matrix (ECM) components, and kinases. These products support normal corneal development and homeostasis.
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Soiberman U, Foster JW, Jun AS, Chakravarti S. Pathophysiology of Keratoconus: What Do We Know Today. Open Ophthalmol J 2017; 11:252-261. [PMID: 28932341 PMCID: PMC5585454 DOI: 10.2174/1874364101711010252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2017] [Revised: 04/01/2017] [Accepted: 06/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Keratoconus is a common corneal ectasia that leads to progressive visual impairment. Numerous studies have shown abnormal protein expression patterns in keratoconic corneas. However, the specific mechanisms causing this disease remain ambiguous. This review aims to provide an update on morphological studies of the keratoconic cornea, relate these early studies with current findings from proteomic, biochemical and cell culture studies and to postulate possible pathogenic pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uri Soiberman
- Cornea Division, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - James W Foster
- Cornea Division, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Albert S Jun
- Cornea Division, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Shukti Chakravarti
- Cornea Division, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
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27
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Manetti M, Favuzza E, Sgambati E, Mencucci R, Marini M. A case of in vivo iontophoresis-assisted corneal collagen cross-linking for keratoconus: An immunohistochemical study. Acta Histochem 2017; 119:343-347. [PMID: 28215504 DOI: 10.1016/j.acthis.2017.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2016] [Revised: 01/16/2017] [Accepted: 02/09/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The standard corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL), that includes the removal of corneal epithelium to permit adequate penetration of riboflavin in the stroma, is an established procedure to halting keratoconus progression. However, as epithelial removal may cause postoperative pain and an increased risk of corneal infection, new therapeutic approaches have been proposed. Iontophoresis is a recently developed non-invasive technique which provides the use of electrical current during CXL to enhance transepithelial penetration of riboflavin into the corneal stroma. Here, we describe for the first time the morphological changes of the corneal stromal compartment in a patient with keratoconus who underwent in vivo iontophoresis-assisted CXL (ionto-CXL) before full-thickness corneal transplantation. Immunohistochemistry for type I collagen and CD34 was performed to investigate the stromal distribution of collagen fibers and keratocytes, respectively. The histology of ionto-CXL-treated keratoconic cornea, collected 6 months after the intervention, was compared with that of healthy corneas and either untreated or standard CXL-treated keratoconic corneas. An attempt to restore a normal stromal architecture was observed in the ionto-CXL-treated cornea compared with untreated keratoconic corneas. In particular, the ionto-CXL-treated cornea showed a parallel distribution of type I collagen fibers, although fiber interweaving appeared less organized than in healthy corneas and standard CXL-treated keratoconic corneas. Moreover, the distribution of CD34-positive keratocytes was improved in keratoconic corneas following ionto-CXL treatment, though a scattered CD34 immunoreactivity was still noticeable in the subepithelial stroma. This study provides histological evidence that ionto-CXL may represent a non-invasive alternative in the management of progressive keratoconus in adults.
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28
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Greene CA, Green CR, Dickinson ME, Johnson V, Sherwin T. Keratocytes are induced to produce collagen type II: A new strategy for in vivo corneal matrix regeneration. Exp Cell Res 2016; 347:241-249. [PMID: 27539660 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2016.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2016] [Revised: 07/21/2016] [Accepted: 08/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The stroma, the middle layer of the cornea, is a connective tissue making up most of the corneal thickness. The stromal extracellular matrix (ECM) consists of highly organised lamellae which are made up of tightly packed fibrils primarily composed of collagens type I and V. This layer is interspersed with keratocytes, mesenchymal cells of neural crest origin. We have previously shown that adult corneal keratocytes exhibit phenotypic plasticity and can be induced into a neuronal phenotype. In the current study we evaluated the potential of keratocytes to produce collagen type II via phenotypic reprogramming with exogenous chondrogenic factors. The cornea presents a challenge to tissue engineers owing to its high level of organisation and the phenotypic instability of keratocytes. Traditional approaches based on a scar model do not support the engineering of functional stromal tissue. Type II collagen is not found in the adult cornea but is reported to be expressed during corneal development, raising the possibility of using such an approach to regenerate the corneal ECM. Keratocytes in culture and within intact normal and diseased tissue were induced to produce collagen type II upon treatment with transforming growth factor Beta3 (TGFβ3) and dexamethasone. In vivo treatment of rat corneas also resulted in collagen type II deposition and a threefold increase in corneal hardness and elasticity. Furthermore, the treatment of corneas and subsequent deposition of collagen type II did not cause opacity, fibrosis or scarring. The induction of keratocytes with specific exogenous factors and resulting deposition of type II collagen in the stroma can potentially be controlled by withdrawal of the factors. This might be a promising new approach for in vivo corneal regeneration strategies aimed at increasing corneal integrity in diseases associated with weakened ectatic corneal tissue such as keratoconus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carol Ann Greene
- University of Auckland, Department of Ophthalmology, New Zealand.
| | - Colin R Green
- University of Auckland, Department of Ophthalmology, New Zealand
| | - Michelle E Dickinson
- University of Auckland, Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, New Zealand
| | - Virginia Johnson
- University of Auckland, Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, New Zealand
| | - Trevor Sherwin
- University of Auckland, Department of Ophthalmology, New Zealand
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29
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Lynch AP, O'Sullivan F, Ahearne M. The effect of growth factor supplementation on corneal stromal cell phenotype in vitro using a serum-free media. Exp Eye Res 2016; 151:26-37. [PMID: 27456135 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2016.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2015] [Revised: 04/07/2016] [Accepted: 07/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
In order to expand cells quickly and in high numbers for corneal tissue engineering applications corneal stromal cells, or keratocytes, are often cultured in the presence of serum. However, keratocytes become fibroblastic when exposed to serum leading to a downregulation of corneal stromal specific markers. The purpose of this current study was to determine if corneal stromal cells, made fibroblastic by serum, could display native quiescent keratocyte characteristics when cultured under serum-free conditions supplemented by different growth factors. Markers specific to a native keratocyte phenotype such as keratocan and aldehyde dehydrogenase 3A1 (ALDH3A1) and those specific to a fibrotic phenotype such as α-smooth muscle actin (αSMA) and collagen type III were examined. Cells were cultured in monolayer, self-assembled pellets or collagen hydrogels. Growth factors known to modulate keratocyte phenotype were chosen to supplement the serum free media, specifically insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and transforming growth factor beta 1 and 3 (Tβ1 and Tβ3). The effects of serum-free media, growth factors and culture system on cell proliferation and morphology and extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis were evaluated. The expression of keratocyte markers was evaluated by real-time PCR, immunofluorescent staining and western blotting. In addition, cell migration was tested using scratch assays. When serum was removed from the cells they displayed a reduction in proliferation and ECM synthesis (not significant), in addition to a significant decrease in migratory capacity (p < 0.05). Serum-free media promoted increased expression of keratocan (130.68 ± 47.44-fold increase; p < 0.05) and collagen type I (15.58 ± 9.49-fold increase; p < 0.05). However, there was no significant change in ALDH3A1 and αSMA expression, while collagen type III expression was significantly increased (44.66 ± 25.61-fold increase; p < 0.05). In addition, cells retained an elongated fibroblastic morphology. In monolayer, the addition of Tβ1 and Tβ3 to serum free media resulted in reduced expression of keratocan, ALDH3A1 and collagen type I and III, increased expression of αSMA (p < 0.05) and an increase in cell proliferation and ECM synthesis. Pellet cultured cells demonstrated a significant increase in ALDH3A1 and collagen type I over 14 days relative to day 5 (p < 0.05), however the expression of fibrotic markers was also enhanced. Cells in collagen hydrogels did not increase expression of keratocyte markers in serum free conditions and underwent contraction in Tβ1 and Tβ3 supplemented media. These results demonstrate that corneal fibroblasts only partially express the phenotypic characteristics of keratocytes when cultured in serum-free medium. While growth factors did not significantly enhance this phenotype, it appears that pellet or self-assembled culture could be more beneficial to promoting a keratocyte phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy P Lynch
- Trinity Centre for Bioengineering, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Pearse Street, Dublin 2, Ireland; Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, School of Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
| | - Finbarr O'Sullivan
- National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Mark Ahearne
- Trinity Centre for Bioengineering, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Pearse Street, Dublin 2, Ireland; Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, School of Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland.
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Słoniecka M, Backman LJ, Danielson P. Acetylcholine enhances keratocyte proliferation through muscarinic receptor activation. Int Immunopharmacol 2015; 29:57-62. [PMID: 26049030 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2015.05.039] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2015] [Revised: 04/18/2015] [Accepted: 05/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Acetylcholine (ACh), a classical neurotransmitter, has been shown to be present in various non-neuronal cells, including cells of the eye, such as corneal epithelium and endothelium, and to have widespread physiological effects such as cytoskeleton reorganization, cellular proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ACh on corneal keratocyte proliferation, and the underlying mechanisms, in order to explore its possible effect in corneal wound healing. Primary culture of human keratocytes was established from donated corneas. Cell viability and fraction of proliferating cells were detected by MTS assay and BrdU incorporation ELISA, respectively. Expression of proliferative markers, PCNA and Ki-67, was detected by western blot and immunocytochemistry. Activation of the MAPK/Erk signaling pathway and its involvement in ACh-enhanced proliferation was determined by western blot analysis, MTS, and BrdU ELISA. We found that ACh enhanced keratocyte proliferation even at low concentrations. Stimulation of proliferation was mediated through activation of muscarinic ACh receptors (mAChRs). Western blot analysis revealed that ACh stimulation of keratocytes upregulated the expression of PCNA and Ki-67, and Ki-67 immunocytochemistry showed that ACh-treated cells were in an active phase of the cell cycle. ACh activated MAPK signaling, and this step was crucial for the ACh-enhanced proliferation, as inhibition of the MAPK pathway resulted in ACh having no proliferative effect. In conclusion, ACh enhances keratocyte proliferation and might thus play a role in proper corneal wound healing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Słoniecka
- Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Umeå University, SE-901 87, Umeå, Sweden.
| | - Ludvig J Backman
- Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Umeå University, SE-901 87, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Patrik Danielson
- Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Umeå University, SE-901 87, Umeå, Sweden
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31
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Serratrice N, Cubizolle A, Ibanes S, Mestre-Francés N, Bayo-Puxan N, Creyssels S, Gennetier A, Bernex F, Verdier JM, Haskins ME, Couderc G, Malecaze F, Kalatzis V, Kremer EJ. Corrective GUSB transfer to the canine mucopolysaccharidosis VII cornea using a helper-dependent canine adenovirus vector. J Control Release 2014; 181:22-31. [PMID: 24607662 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2014.02.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [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: 11/17/2013] [Revised: 02/21/2014] [Accepted: 02/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Corneal transparency is maintained, in part, by specialized fibroblasts called keratocytes, which reside in the fibrous lamellae of the stroma. Corneal clouding, a condition that impairs visual acuity, is associated with numerous diseases, including mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) type VII. MPS VII is due to deficiency in β-glucuronidase (β-glu) enzymatic activity, which leads to accumulation of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), and secondary accumulation of gangliosides. Here, we tested the efficacy of canine adenovirus type 2 (CAV-2) vectors to transduce keratocyte in vivo in mice and nonhuman primates, and ex vivo in dog and human corneal explants. Following efficacy studies, we asked if we could treat corneal clouding by the injection a helper-dependent (HD) CAV-2 vector (HD-RIGIE) harboring the human cDNA coding for β-glu (GUSB) in the canine MPS VII cornea. β-Glu activity, GAG content, and lysosome morphology and physiopathology were analyzed. We found that HD-RIGIE injections efficiently transduced coxsackievirus adenovirus receptor-expressing keratocytes in the four species and, compared to mock-injected controls, improved the pathology in the canine MPS VII cornea. The key criterion to corrective therapy was the steady controlled release of β-glu and its diffusion throughout the collagen-dense stroma. These data support the continued evaluation of HD CAV-2 vectors to treat diseases affecting corneal keratocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Serratrice
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, CNRS 5535, Montpellier, France; Université de Montpellier I, Montpellier, France; Université Montpellier 2, Montpellier, France
| | - Aurelie Cubizolle
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, CNRS 5535, Montpellier, France; Université de Montpellier I, Montpellier, France; Université Montpellier 2, Montpellier, France
| | - Sandy Ibanes
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, CNRS 5535, Montpellier, France; Université de Montpellier I, Montpellier, France; Université Montpellier 2, Montpellier, France
| | - Nadine Mestre-Francés
- Université Montpellier 2, Montpellier, France; Inserm U710, Montpellier, France; Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes, Paris, France
| | - Neus Bayo-Puxan
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, CNRS 5535, Montpellier, France; Université de Montpellier I, Montpellier, France; Université Montpellier 2, Montpellier, France
| | - Sophie Creyssels
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, CNRS 5535, Montpellier, France; Université de Montpellier I, Montpellier, France; Université Montpellier 2, Montpellier, France
| | - Aurelie Gennetier
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, CNRS 5535, Montpellier, France; Université de Montpellier I, Montpellier, France; Université Montpellier 2, Montpellier, France
| | - Florence Bernex
- Institut Régional du Cancer Montpellier, Inserm U896, Montpellier, France
| | - Jean-Michel Verdier
- Université Montpellier 2, Montpellier, France; Inserm U710, Montpellier, France; Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes, Paris, France
| | - Mark E Haskins
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Guilhem Couderc
- Tissue Bank, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Francois Malecaze
- Inserm U563, Toulouse, France; Departement d'Ophtalmologie, Hôpital Purpan, Toulouse, France
| | - Vasiliki Kalatzis
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, CNRS 5535, Montpellier, France; Université de Montpellier I, Montpellier, France; Université Montpellier 2, Montpellier, France
| | - Eric J Kremer
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, CNRS 5535, Montpellier, France; Université de Montpellier I, Montpellier, France; Université Montpellier 2, Montpellier, France.
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32
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Wu J, Rnjak-Kovacina J, Du Y, Funderburgh ML, Kaplan DL, Funderburgh JL. Corneal stromal bioequivalents secreted on patterned silk substrates. Biomaterials 2014; 35:3744-55. [PMID: 24503156 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2013.12.078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [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: 10/28/2013] [Accepted: 12/23/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Emulating corneal stromal tissue is believed to be the most challenging step in bioengineering an artificial human cornea because of the difficulty in reproducing its highly ordered microstructure, the key to the robust biomechanical properties and optical transparency of this tissue. We conducted a comparative study to assess the feasibility of human corneal stromal stem cells (hCSSCs) and human corneal fibroblasts (hCFs) in the generation of human corneal stromal tissue on groove-patterned silk substrates. In serum-free keratocyte differentiation medium, hCSSCs successfully differentiated into keratocytes secreting multilayered lamellae with orthogonally-oriented collagen fibrils, in a pattern mimicking human corneal stromal tissue. The constructs were 90-100 μm thick, containing abundant cornea-specific extracellular matrix (ECM) components, including keratan sulfate, lumican, and keratocan. In contrast, hCFs tended to differentiate into myofibroblasts that deposited less organized collagen in a pattern resembling that of corneal scar tissue. RGD surface coupling coupling was an essential factor in enhancing cell attachment, orientation, proliferation, differentiation and ECM deposition on the silk substratum. These results demonstrated that an approach of combining hCSSCs with an RGD surface-coupled patterned silk film offers a powerful tool to develop highly ordered collagen fibril-based constructs for corneal regeneration and corneal stromal tissue repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Wu
- McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine and Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | | | - Yiqin Du
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Martha L Funderburgh
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - David L Kaplan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA, USA
| | - James L Funderburgh
- McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine and Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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