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Chi J, Lu M, Wang S, Xu T, Ju R, Liu C, Zhang Z, Jiang Z, Han B. Injectable hydrogels derived from marine polysaccharides as cell carriers for large corneal epithelial defects. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 253:127084. [PMID: 37769782 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.127084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Injectable hydrogels have been employed for sutureless repair of corneal epithelial defects, which can perfectly fit the defect sites and minimize the associated discomfort. However, numerous hydrogels are ineffective in treating large corneal epithelial defects and still suffer from poor biocompatibility or weak applicability when used as cell carriers. Herein, hydroxypropyl chitin/carboxymethyl chitosan (HPCT/CMCS) temperature-sensitive hydrogels are fabricated, and their physicochemical properties and suitability for corneal epithelial repair are investigated. The results demonstrate that HPCT/CMCS hydrogels have excellent temperature sensitivity between 20 and 25 °C and a transparency of over 80 %. Besides, HPCT/CMCS hydrogels can promote cell proliferation and facilitate cell migration of primary rabbit corneal epithelial cells (CEpCs). A rabbit large corneal epithelial defect model (6 mm) is established, and CEpCs are transplanted into defect sites by HPCT/CMCS hydrogels. The results suggest that HPCT/CMCS/CEpCs significantly enhance the repair of large corneal epithelial defects with a healing rate of 99.6 % on day 8, while reducing inflammatory responses and scarring formation. Furthermore, HPCT/CMCS/CEpCs can contribute to the reconstruction of damaged tissues and the recovery of functional capacities. Overall, HPCT/CMCS hydrogels may be a feasible corneal cell carrier material and can provide an alternative approach to large corneal epithelial defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinhua Chi
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Biomedical Materials, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, PR China
| | - Minxin Lu
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Biomedical Materials, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, PR China
| | - Shuo Wang
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Biomedical Materials, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, PR China
| | - Tianjiao Xu
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Biomedical Materials, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, PR China
| | - Ruibao Ju
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Biomedical Materials, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, PR China
| | - Chenqi Liu
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Biomedical Materials, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, PR China
| | - Zhenguo Zhang
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Biomedical Materials, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, PR China
| | - Zhen Jiang
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Biomedical Materials, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, PR China
| | - Baoqin Han
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Biomedical Materials, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, PR China; Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts of Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266235, PR China.
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Sorkou KN, Theotokis P, Deftereou TE, Maria L, Meditskou S, Manthou ME. Detecting Apoptotic Human Lens Epithelial Cells With Transmission Electron Microscopy. Cureus 2023; 15:e45916. [PMID: 37885524 PMCID: PMC10599265 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.45916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Cataract formation is a prevalent issue worldwide, and understanding the cellular processes involved is crucial to advancing treatment options. The scope of the study was to explore the presence of apoptotic cells in the lens epithelium of Greek patients with senile cataracts using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Methods Twenty-one patients with senile cataracts were included in this cross-sectional study, and their anterior lens capsules were thoroughly examined. The presence of apoptosis was ultrastructurally investigated, and its association with age, gender, biomicroscopic type of cataract, the coexistence of exfoliation syndrome (XFS), diabetes mellitus, and glaucoma was statistically correlated. Results We detected apoptotic cells in nine of the 21 patients. Morphological features indicative of apoptosis in the nuclei included degradation, nuclear membrane irregularity, reduction of nuclear volume, condensation, and margination of chromatin. The cytoplasm either appeared denser or contained vacuoles. Budding with membrane blebbing and pinopode-like projections were frequently observed. Apoptotic cells appeared smaller, exhibiting loose connections with neighboring cells and the basement membrane (BM). Interestingly, apoptotic bodies were also detected. Conclusions None of the examined risk factors showed a connection to apoptosis, whereas neighboring lens epithelial cells (LECs) phagocytose apoptotic bodies, seemingly assumed the role of macrophages. Comparing apoptosis rates between populations with different sun exposure levels could help reveal the relationship between ultraviolet B radiation exposure, apoptosis, and cataract formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantina N Sorkou
- Department of Ophthalmology, Frimley Park Hospital, National Health Service (NHS), Camberley, GBR
- 2nd Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, GRC
| | - Paschalis Theotokis
- Laboratory of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, GRC
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology and Neuroimmunology, 2nd Department of Neurology, AHEPA University Hospital, Thessaloniki, GRC
| | | | - Lambropoulou Maria
- Laboratory of Histology and Embryology, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, GRC
| | - Soultana Meditskou
- Laboratory of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, GRC
| | - Maria Eleni Manthou
- Laboratory of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, GRC
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Liu Z, Huang S, Zheng Y, Zhou T, Hu L, Xiong L, Li DWC, Liu Y. The lens epithelium as a major determinant in the development, maintenance, and regeneration of the crystalline lens. Prog Retin Eye Res 2023; 92:101112. [PMID: 36055924 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2022.101112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The crystalline lens is a transparent and refractive biconvex structure formed by lens epithelial cells (LECs) and lens fibers. Lens opacity, also known as cataracts, is the leading cause of blindness in the world. LECs are the principal cells of lens throughout human life, exhibiting different physiological properties and functions. During the embryonic stage, LECs proliferate and differentiate into lens fibers, which form the crystalline lens. Genetics and environment are vital factors that influence normal lens development. During maturation, LECs help maintain lens homeostasis through material transport, synthesis and metabolism as well as mitosis and proliferation. If disturbed, this will result in loss of lens transparency. After cataract surgery, the repair potential of LECs is activated and the structure and transparency of the regenerative tissue depends on postoperative microenvironment. This review summarizes recent research advances on the role of LECs in lens development, homeostasis, and regeneration, with a particular focus on the role of cholesterol synthesis (eg., lanosterol synthase) in lens development and homeostasis maintenance, and how the regenerative potential of LECs can be harnessed to develop surgical strategies and improve the outcomes of cataract surgery (Fig. 1). These new insights suggest that LECs are a major determinant of the physiological and pathological state of the lens. Further studies on their molecular biology will offer possibility to explore new approaches for cataract prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenzhen Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Shan Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Yingfeng Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Tian Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Leyi Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Lang Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - David Wan-Cheng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Yizhi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, 510060, China; Research Unit of Ocular Development and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China.
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Andjelic S, Drašlar K, Hvala A, Hawlina M. Structural Characteristics of the Lens in Presenile Cataract. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:802275. [PMID: 35004779 PMCID: PMC8727346 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.802275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this work is to examine the structure of the anterior lens epithelial cells (aLECs) of presenile idiopathic cortical cataract to investigate the possible structural reasons for its development. The anterior lens capsules (aLCs: basement membrane and associated lens epithelial cells) were obtained from routine uneventful cataract surgery of 5 presenile cataract patients (16 and 41 years old women and 29, 39, and 45 years old men). None of the patients had family history of cataract, medication, or trauma and they were otherwise healthy. In addition, the patients did not have any other abnormal features in the ocular status except cataract. The aLCs were prepared for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The most prominent abnormal features observed by SEM for all 5 studied presenile cataract patients were the changes of the aLECs structure with the dents, the selective concavity of some LECs, at their apical side centrally toward the nucleus. In addition, TEM showed the thinning of the lens epithelium with the segmentally concave cells and the compressed and elongated nuclei. Abnormal and distinguishable structural features were observed in the anterior lens epithelium aLECs in all 5 patients with presenile cataract. Disturbed structure of aLECs, regularly present in presenile cataract type is shown that might be associated with water accumulation in the presenile idiopathic cortical cataract lens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofija Andjelic
- Eye Hospital, University Medical Centre, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Kazimir Drašlar
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Anastazija Hvala
- Department of Pathology, Medical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Marko Hawlina
- Eye Hospital, University Medical Centre, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Ping X, Cheng Y, Bao J, Shi K, Zou J, Shentu X. KPNA4 is involved in cataract formation via the nuclear import of p53. Gene 2021; 786:145621. [PMID: 33798680 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2021.145621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
KPNA4 (also called importin-α3) belongs to the importin α adaptor proteins family, which orchestrates classical nuclear transport processes, importin-α/importin-β1 pathway, and involves in cellular homeostasis. Disruption of balanced transport pathways may result in ectopic nuclear proteins and eventually cause diseases, mainly under the situation of cellular stress, such as oxidative stress. Little evidence is available on its cellular functions for high specific expression in lens. We firstly studied the role of KPNA4 in cataract formation. Lens defects were observed at an early age in kpna4 gene knockout zebrafish, generated by the CRISPR/Cas9 system. Those phenotype, including cloudy center part of the lens, via bright field microscopy, and the thinning of the LE layer, wider space between the adjacent LE and LF cells, irregular cells morphology and the increased number of holes inside the LE cells, which were detected by transmission electron microscopy, recapitulate the clinical features of cataract patients. As the p53-specific adaptor of the nuclear import, KPNA4 upregulated with the same pattern of p53 in hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis in human lens epithelia cells. Furthermore, the loss of Kpna4 resulted in the accumulation of p53 in the center of lens. Taken together, we showed that KPNA4 was involved in the formation of cataract, likely by mediating p53 nuclear transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiyuan Ping
- Eye Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab of Ophthalmology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province 310009, China
| | - Yalan Cheng
- Ninghai First Hospital, Ningbo 315600, China
| | - Jing Bao
- Eye Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab of Ophthalmology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province 310009, China
| | - Kexin Shi
- Eye Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab of Ophthalmology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province 310009, China
| | - Jian Zou
- Eye Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab of Ophthalmology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province 310009, China; The Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xingchao Shentu
- Eye Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab of Ophthalmology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province 310009, China.
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