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Gulino ME, Ordóñez-Morán P, Mahida YR. Establishment of a 3D organoid culture model for the investigation of adult slow-cycling putative intestinal stem cells. Histochem Cell Biol 2024; 162:351-362. [PMID: 39073425 DOI: 10.1007/s00418-024-02312-x] [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] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
The study of intestinal stem cells is a prerequisite for the development of therapies aimed at regenerating the gut. To enable investigation of adult slow-cycling H2B-GFP-retaining putative small intestinal (SI) stem cells in vitro, we have developed a three-dimensional (3D) SI organoid culture model based on the Tet-Op histone 2 B (H2B)-green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusion protein (Tet-Op-H2B-GFP) transgenic mouse. SI crypts were isolated from 6- to 12-week-old Tet-Op-H2B-GFP transgenic mice and cultured with appropriate growth factors and an animal-derived matrix (Matrigel). For in vitro transgene expression, doxycycline was added to the culture medium for 24 h. By pulse-chase experiments, H2B-GFP expression and retention were assessed through direct GFP fluorescence observations, both by confocal and fluorescence microscopy and by immunohistochemistry. The percentages of H2B-GFP-retaining putative SI stem cells and H2B-GFP-retaining Paneth cells persisting in organoids were determined by scoring relevant GFP-positive cells. Our results indicate that 24 h exposure to doxycycline (pulse) induced ubiquitous expression of H2B-GFP in the SI organoids. During subsequent culture, in the absence of doxycycline (chase), there was a gradual loss (due to cell division) of H2B-GFP. At 6-day chase, slow-cycling H2B-GFP-retaining putative SI stem cells and H2B-GFP-retaining Paneth cells were detected in the SI organoids. The developed culture model allows detection of slow-cycling H2B-GFP-retaining putative SI stem cells and will enable the study of self-renewal and regeneration for further characterization of these cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Eugenia Gulino
- Translational Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK.
| | - Paloma Ordóñez-Morán
- Translational Medical Sciences Unit, School of Medicine, Centre for Cancer Sciences, Biodiscovery Institute-3, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Yashwant R Mahida
- Translational Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK
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Stoddard-Bennett T, Bonnet C, Deng SX. Three-Dimensional Reconstruction of Subbasal Nerve Density in Eyes With Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency: A Pilot Study. Cornea 2024; 43:1278-1284. [PMID: 38923539 PMCID: PMC11371539 DOI: 10.1097/ico.0000000000003571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Corneal subbasal nerve parameters have been previously reported using 2-dimensional scans of in vivo laser scanning confocal microscopy (IVCM) in eyes with limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD). This study aims to develop and validate a method to better quantify corneal subbasal nerve parameters and changes from reconstructed 3-dimensional (3D) images. METHODS IVCM volume scans from 73 eyes with various degrees of LSCD (mild/moderate/severe) confirmed by multimodal anterior segment imaging including IVCM and 20 control subjects were included. Using ImageJ, the scans were manually aligned and compiled to generate a 3D reconstruction. Using filament-tracing semiautomated software (Imaris), subbasal nerve density (SND), corneal nerve fiber length, long nerves (>200 μm), and branch points were quantified and correlated with other biomarkers of LSCD. RESULTS 3D SND decreased in eyes with LSCD when compared with control subjects. The decrease was significant for moderate and severe LSCD ( P < 0.01). 3D SND was reduced by 3.7% in mild LSCD, 32.4% in moderate LSCD, and 96.5% in severe LSCD. The number of long nerves and points of branching correlated with the severity of LSCD ( P < 0.0001) and with declining SND (R 2 = 0.66 and 0.67, respectively). When compared with 2-dimensional scans, 3D reconstructions yielded significant increases of SND and branch points in all conditions except severe LSCD. 3D analysis showed a 46% increase in long nerves only in mild LSCD ( P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS This proof-of-concept study validates the use of 3D reconstruction to better characterize the corneal subbasal nerve in eyes with LSCD. In the future, this concept could be used with machine learning to automate the measurements.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Clémence Bonnet
- Stein Eye Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA
- Paris Cité Université, AP-HP, Paris, France ; and
| | - Sophie X Deng
- Stein Eye Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA
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Suanno G, Genna VG, Maurizi E, Dieh AA, Griffith M, Ferrari G. Cell therapy in the cornea: The emerging role of microenvironment. Prog Retin Eye Res 2024; 102:101275. [PMID: 38797320 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2024.101275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
The cornea is an ideal testing field for cell therapies. Its highly ordered structure, where specific cell populations are sequestered in different layers, together with its accessibility, has allowed the development of the first stem cell-based therapy approved by the European Medicine Agency. Today, different techniques have been proposed for autologous and allogeneic limbal and non-limbal cell transplantation. Cell replacement has also been attempted in cases of endothelial cell decompensation as it occurs in Fuchs dystrophy: injection of cultivated allogeneic endothelial cells is now in advanced phases of clinical development. Recently, stromal substitutes have been developed with excellent integration capability and transparency. Finally, cell-derived products, such as exosomes obtained from different sources, have been investigated for the treatment of severe corneal diseases with encouraging results. Optimization of the success rate of cell therapies obviously requires high-quality cultured cells/products, but the role of the surrounding microenvironment is equally important to allow engraftment of transplanted cells, to preserve their functions and, ultimately, lead to restoration of tissue integrity and transparency of the cornea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Suanno
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy; Eye Repair Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Eleonora Maurizi
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine ''S. Ferrari'', University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Anas Abu Dieh
- Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - May Griffith
- Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
| | - Giulio Ferrari
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy; Eye Repair Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy; Ophthalmology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
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Wang Y, Ge H, Chen P, Wang Y. Wnt/β-catenin signaling in corneal epithelium development, homeostasis, and pathobiology. Exp Eye Res 2024; 246:110022. [PMID: 39117134 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2024.110022] [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: 04/18/2024] [Revised: 07/07/2024] [Accepted: 08/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Abstract
The corneal epithelium is located on the most anterior surface of the eyeball and protects against external stimuli. The development of the corneal epithelium and the maintenance of corneal homeostasis are essential for the maintenance of visual acuity. It has been discovered recently via the in-depth investigation of ocular surface illnesses that the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is necessary for the growth and stratification of corneal epithelial cells as well as the control of endothelial cell stability. In addition, the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is directly linked to the development of common corneal illnesses such as keratoconus, fungal keratitis, and corneal neovascularization. This review mainly summarizes the role of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in the development, homeostasis, and pathobiology of cornea, hoping to provide new insights into the study of corneal epithelium and the treatment of related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yihui Wang
- School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, Shandong Province, China
| | - Huanhuan Ge
- School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, Shandong Province, China
| | - Peng Chen
- School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, Shandong Province, China; Institute of Stem Cell Regeneration Medicine, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China.
| | - Ye Wang
- Qingdao Central Hospital, University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (Qingdao Central Medical Group), Qingdao, Shandong 266042, China.
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Jiang H, Liu M, Yang W, Hong YK, Xu D, Nalbant EK, Clutter ED, Foroozandeh P, Kaplan N, Wysocki J, Batlle D, Miller SD, Lu K, Peng H. Activation of limbal epithelial proliferation is partly controlled by the ACE2-LCN2 pathway. iScience 2024; 27:110534. [PMID: 39175771 PMCID: PMC11338997 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.110534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 05/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 08/24/2024] Open
Abstract
In response to corneal injury, an activation of corneal epithelial stem cells and their direct progeny the early transit amplifying (eTA) cells to rapidly proliferate is critical for proper re-epithelialization. Thus, it is important to understand how such stem/eTA cell activation is regulated. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is predominantly expressed in the stem/eTA-enriched limbal epithelium but its role in the limbal epithelium was unclear. Single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) suggested that Ace2 involved the proliferation of the stem/eTA cells. Ace2 was reduced following corneal injury. Such reduction enhanced limbal epithelial proliferation and downregulated LCN2, a negative regulator of proliferation in a variety of tissues, via upregulating TGFA and consequently activating epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Inhibition of EGFR or overexpression of LCN2 reversed the increased proliferation in limbal epithelial cells lacking ACE2. Our findings demonstrate that after corneal injury, ACE2 is downregulated, which activates limbal epithelial cell proliferation via a TGFA/EGFR/LCN2 pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huimin Jiang
- Departments of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Min Liu
- Departments of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Wending Yang
- Departments of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Yi-Kai Hong
- Departments of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Dan Xu
- Microbiology-Immunology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Elif Kayaalp Nalbant
- Departments of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Elwin D. Clutter
- Departments of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Parisa Foroozandeh
- Departments of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Nihal Kaplan
- Departments of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Jan Wysocki
- Medicine (Nephrology and Hypertension), Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Daniel Batlle
- Medicine (Nephrology and Hypertension), Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Stephen D. Miller
- Microbiology-Immunology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Kurt Lu
- Departments of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Han Peng
- Departments of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
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Li Z, Böhringer D, Stachon T, Nastaranpour M, Fries FN, Seitz B, Ulrich M, Munteanu C, Langenbucher A, Szentmáry N. Culturing Limbal Epithelial Cells of Long-term Stored Corneal Donors (Organ Culture) In Vitro - A Stepwise Linear Regression Algorithm. Klin Monbl Augenheilkd 2024; 241:964-971. [PMID: 37130569 DOI: 10.1055/a-2084-7168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To assess various potential factors on human limbal epithelial cell (LEC) outgrowth in vitro using corneal donor tissue following long-term storage (organ culture) and a stepwise linear regression algorithm. METHODS Of 215 donors, 304 corneoscleral rings were used for our experiments. For digestion of the limbal tissue and isolation of the limbal epithelial cells, the tissue pieces were incubated with 4.0 mg/mL collagenase A at 37 °C with 95% relative humidity and a 5% CO2 atmosphere overnight. Thereafter, limbal epithelial cells were separated from limbal keratocytes using a 20-µm CellTricks filter. The separated human LECs were cultured in keratinocyte serum-free medium medium, 1% penicillin/streptomycin (P/S), 0.02% epidermal growth factor (EGF), and 0.3% bovine pituitary extract (BPE). The potential effect of donor age (covariate), postmortem time (covariate), medium time (covariate), size of the used corneoscleral ring (360°, 270°180°, 120°, 90°, less than 90°) (covariate), endothelial cell density (ECD) (covariate), gender (factor), number of culture medium changes during organ culture (factor), and origin of the donor (donating institution and storing institution, factor) on the limbal epithelial cell outgrowth was analyzed with a stepwise linear regression algorithm. RESULTS The rate of successful human LEC outgrowth was 37.5%. From the stepwise linear regression algorithm, we found out that the relevant influencing parameters on the LEC growth were intercept (p < 0.001), donor age (p = 0.002), number of culture medium changes during organ culture (p < 0.001), total medium time (p = 0.181), and size of the used corneoscleral ring (p = 0.007), as well as medium time × size of the corneoscleral ring (p = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS The success of LEC outgrowth increases with lower donor age, lower number of organ culture medium changes during storage, shorter medium time in organ culture, and smaller corneoscleral ring size. Our stepwise linear regression algorithm may help us in optimizing LEC cultures in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Li
- Dr. Rolf M. Schwiete Center for Limbal Stem Cell and Congenital Aniridia Research, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Daniel Böhringer
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Tanja Stachon
- Dr. Rolf M. Schwiete Center for Limbal Stem Cell and Congenital Aniridia Research, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Mahsa Nastaranpour
- Dr. Rolf M. Schwiete Center for Limbal Stem Cell and Congenital Aniridia Research, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Fabian Norbert Fries
- Dr. Rolf M. Schwiete Center for Limbal Stem Cell and Congenital Aniridia Research, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
- Department of Ophthalmology, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Berthold Seitz
- Department of Ophthalmology, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Myriam Ulrich
- Dr. Rolf M. Schwiete Center for Limbal Stem Cell and Congenital Aniridia Research, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | | | | | - Nóra Szentmáry
- Dr. Rolf M. Schwiete Center for Limbal Stem Cell and Congenital Aniridia Research, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
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7
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Nureen L, Biazik J, Carnell M, Di Girolamo N. A detailed survey of the murine limbus, its stem cell distribution, and its boundaries with the cornea and conjunctiva. Stem Cells Transl Med 2024:szae055. [PMID: 39077915 DOI: 10.1093/stcltm/szae055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024] Open
Abstract
The narrow intersection between the cornea and conjunctiva, otherwise known as the limbus, is purported to harbor stem cells (SCs) that replenish the ocular surface epithelium throughout life. Damage to this site or depletion of its SCs can have dire consequences for eye health and vision. To date, various SC and keratin proteins have been used to identify the limbus, however, none could definitively mark its boundaries. Herein, we use the mouse as a model system to investigate whether structural and phenotypic features can be used to define the limbus and its boundaries with adjacent tissues. We demonstrate that differentially aligned blood and lymphatic vessels, intraepithelial nerves, and basal epithelial cellular and nuclei dimensions can be used as structural landmarks of the limbus. Identification of these features enabled approximation of the limbal expanse, which varied across distinct ocular surface quadrants, with the superior nasal and inferior temporal limbus being the widest and narrowest, respectively. Moreover, label-retaining SCs were unevenly distributed across the ocular circumference, with increased numbers in the superior temporal and inferior temporal moieties. These findings will heighten our current understanding of the SC niche, be beneficial for accurately predicting SC distribution to improve their isolation and devising efficacious cell therapies, and importantly, aid the ongoing search for novel SC markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lamia Nureen
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Joanna Biazik
- Electron Microscope Unit, Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Michael Carnell
- Katharina Gaus Light Microscopy Facility, Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Nick Di Girolamo
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
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8
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Dermitzakis I, Kampitsi DD, Manthou ME, Evangelidis P, Vakirlis E, Meditskou S, Theotokis P. Ontogeny of Skin Stem Cells and Molecular Underpinnings. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2024; 46:8118-8147. [PMID: 39194698 DOI: 10.3390/cimb46080481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2024] [Revised: 07/21/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Skin stem cells (SCs) play a pivotal role in supporting tissue homeostasis. Several types of SCs are responsible for maintaining and regenerating skin tissue. These include bulge SCs and others residing in the interfollicular epidermis, infundibulum, isthmus, sebaceous glands, and sweat glands. The emergence of skin SCs commences during embryogenesis, where multipotent SCs arise from various precursor populations. These early events set the foundation for the diverse pool of SCs that will reside in the adult skin, ready to respond to tissue repair and regeneration demands. A network of molecular cues regulates skin SC behavior, balancing quiescence, self-renewal, and differentiation. The disruption of this delicate equilibrium can lead to SC exhaustion, impaired wound healing, and pathological conditions such as skin cancer. The present review explores the intricate mechanisms governing the development, activation, and differentiation of skin SCs, shedding light on the molecular signaling pathways that drive their fate decisions and skin homeostasis. Unraveling the complexities of these molecular drivers not only enhances our fundamental knowledge of skin biology but also holds promise for developing novel strategies to modulate skin SC fate for regenerative medicine applications, ultimately benefiting patients with skin disorders and injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iasonas Dermitzakis
- Department of Histology-Embryology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Despoina Dimitria Kampitsi
- Department of Histology-Embryology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Maria Eleni Manthou
- Department of Histology-Embryology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Paschalis Evangelidis
- Hematology Unit-Hemophilia Centre, 2nd Propedeutic Department of Internal Medicine, Hippocration Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54642 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Efstratios Vakirlis
- First Department of Dermatology and Venereology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54643 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Soultana Meditskou
- Department of Histology-Embryology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Paschalis Theotokis
- Department of Histology-Embryology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
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Pimple SN, Pedler MG, Shieh B, Mandava A, McCourt E, Petrash JM. Human Breast Milk Enhances Cellular Proliferation in Cornea Wound Healing. Curr Eye Res 2024:1-7. [PMID: 38979814 DOI: 10.1080/02713683.2024.2374836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Corneal epithelial defects from trauma or surgery heal as new epithelial cells grow centripetally from the limbus and replenish the epithelium. Corneal wound healing requires cell signalling molecules. However, a topical treatment with these components is not available. Human breast milk (HBM) offers a potential, novel treatment as it contains bioactive molecules important in epithelial cell healing. This study seeks to investigate the potential of HBM in cornea wound healing. METHODS Balb/c mice, 8-12 weeks old, were anesthetized prior to creating a 2 mm central cornea epithelial defect. Mice were randomly assigned to a treatment group: HBM, ophthalmic ointment containing neomycin, polymyxin B, dexamethasone (RxTx), or saline and treated 4x/day for 2 days. Wound area was quantified by fluorescein and ImageJ at 0, 8, 24, and 48 h post wounding and eyes used for histology, RT-qPCR, and ELISA. RESULTS Wounded corneas treated with HBM demonstrated increased re-epithelialization at 8 h post injury compared to saline treatments. ELISA showed significantly higher Ki67 in HBM treated eyes vs. saline control at 8 h (p = 0.0278). Additionally, immunohistology revealed more Ki67 positive cells in the HBM group compared to saline at 8 h and 24 h (p = 0.0063 8 h; p = 0.0007 24 h). For inflammatory analysis, HBM group IL-1β levels were similar to the saline group, and higher than RxTx treated eyes (p < 0.05). Immunohistochemical staining for CD11b (macrophage marker) revealed HBM-treated eyes had significantly more positive cells vs. saline. RT-qPCR of limbal stem cell markers (LESCs) revealed upregulation of Integrin αV at 8 h with HBM vs. saline. CONCLUSIONS HBM treatment on corneas with debridement of epithelium demonstrated improved healing, cellular proliferation, and upregulation of the LESC gene transcript, integrin αV, after wounding. Future studies could investigate LESC response to different signalling molecules in HBM to better understand the efficacy of this potential therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah N Pimple
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado School of Medicine | Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Michelle G Pedler
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado School of Medicine | Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Biehuoy Shieh
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado School of Medicine | Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Anjali Mandava
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado School of Medicine | Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Emily McCourt
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado School of Medicine | Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - J Mark Petrash
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado School of Medicine | Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
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10
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Arif W, Narendran S, Kannan NB, Ramasamy K, Veerappan M, Chidambaranathan GP. Age-related reduction in the functional properties of adult stem cells located in the peripheral region of human retinal pigment epithelium. Indian J Ophthalmol 2024; 72:S688-S695. [PMID: 38623706 PMCID: PMC11338411 DOI: 10.4103/ijo.ijo_2491_23] [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: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Adult stem cells (SCs) with self-renewal and multilineage potential have been reported upon culturing human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. The current study aimed to identify the location of SCs in human RPE and to elucidate the age-related changes. METHODS Peripheral, equatorial, and central RPE cells from donors of three age groups were analyzed for their sphere-forming, clonal, and label-retaining cell properties. Furthermore, native human RPE flatmounts were immunostained for SC and proliferating cell markers. RESULTS Cells with higher sphere-forming and clonal ability were identified only in young donors (<30 years) and were restricted to the periphery. Upon culturing, cells from peripheral and equatorial regions had the label-retaining cell (LRC) property. With aging, the LRCs were restricted to the periphery and were reduced. In young donors, Ki67 + proliferating cells were not observed in native RPE. However, such cells were observed in the peripheral RPE of older donors correlating with the need for regeneration. The native RPE cells were negative for SC marker expression. CONCLUSION The above findings highlighted the presence of SCs with the ability to proliferate in the peripheral RPE and a reduction in these functional properties of SCs with aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Waseema Arif
- Department of Immunology and Stem Cell Biology, Aravind Medical Research Foundation, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India
- Department of Biotechnology, Aravind Medical Research Foundation -Affiliated to Alagappa University, Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu, India
- Unit of One Health, ICMR- Vector Control Research Centre, Puducherry, India
| | | | - Naresh Babu Kannan
- Retina and Vitreous Services, Aravind Eye Hospital and Post Graduate Institute of Ophthalmology, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Kim Ramasamy
- Retina and Vitreous Services, Aravind Eye Hospital and Post Graduate Institute of Ophthalmology, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Muthukkaruppan Veerappan
- Department of Immunology and Stem Cell Biology, Aravind Medical Research Foundation, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Gowri Priya Chidambaranathan
- Department of Immunology and Stem Cell Biology, Aravind Medical Research Foundation, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India
- Department of Biotechnology, Aravind Medical Research Foundation -Affiliated to Alagappa University, Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu, India
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Zhu J, Lan X, Mo K, Zhang W, Huang Y, Tan J, Wang L, Ji J, Ke Q, Ouyang H. Deficiency of SECTM1 impairs corneal wound healing in aging. Aging Cell 2024:e14247. [PMID: 38887148 DOI: 10.1111/acel.14247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The corneal epithelium is the outermost transparent barrier of the eyeball and undergoes continuous self-renewal by limbal stem cells (LSCs) during its lifetime; however, the impact of aging on LSCs remains largely unknown. Here, we showed that the healing ability of the cornea in elderly macaques (Macaca fascicularis) was significantly decreased compared to that of younger macaques. This delayed wound closure accompanied a disordered cell arrangement and corneal opacity. A novel cytokine, Secreted and Transmembrane 1 (SECTM1), was found to facilitate corneal healing and was upregulated in young macaques upon wounding. Mechanistically, SECTM1 is essential for LSC migration and proliferation, and may partially function through Cell Division Cycle Associated 7 (CDCA7). Notably, the topical application of SECTM1 to aged wounded corneas dramatically promoted re-epithelialization and improved corneal transparency in both mice and macaques. Our work suggests that aging may impair the expression of healing response factors and injury repair in non-human primate corneas, and that SECTM1 application could potentially benefit corneal wound healing in clinical treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology Visual Science, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xihong Lan
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology Visual Science, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kunlun Mo
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology Visual Science, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology Visual Science, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ying Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology Visual Science, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jieying Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology Visual Science, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Li Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology Visual Science, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jianping Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology Visual Science, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qiong Ke
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Center for Stem Cell Biology and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Department of Histoembryology and Cell Biology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Hong Ouyang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology Visual Science, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
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12
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Ikuta T, Kanda H. Tumor formation at ileocecal junction associated with interleukin-1β upregulation in aryl hydrocarbon receptor-deficient mouse. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 2024; 38:e23736. [PMID: 38769691 DOI: 10.1002/jbt.23736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-dependent transcription factor. We previously reported spontaneous ileocecal tumorigenesis in AhR-deficient mice after the age of 10 weeks, which originated in the confined area between ileum and cecum. This study aimed to investigate the underlying mechanism that causes tumor development at this particular location. To observe mucosal architecture in detail, tissues of ileocecal region were stained with methylene blue. Gene expression profile in the ileocecal tissue was compared with cecum. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed with ileocecal tissues using antibodies against ileum-specific Reg3β or cecum-specific Pitx2. In AhR+/+ mice and AhR+/- mice, that do not develop lesions, methylene blue staining revealed the gradually changing shape and arrangement of villi from ileum to cecum. It was also observed in AhR-deficient mice before developing lesions. Microarray-based analysis revealed abundant antimicrobial genes, such as Reg3, in the ileocecal tissue while FGFR2 and Pitx2 were specific to cecum. Immunohistochemical analysis of AhR-deficient mice indicated that lesions originated from the ileocecal junction, a boundary area between different epithelial types. Site-specific gene expression analysis revealed higher expression of IL-1β at the ileocecal junction compared with the ileum or cecum of 9-11-week-old AhR-deficient mice. These findings indicate that AhR plays a vital function in the ileocecal junction. Regulating AhR activity can potentially manage the stability of ileocecal tissue possessing cancer-prone characteristics. This investigation contributes to understanding homeostasis in different epithelial transitional tissues, frequently associated with pathological states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Togo Ikuta
- Department of Cancer Prevention, Research Institute for Clinical Oncology, Saitama Cancer Center, Saitama, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Kanda
- Department of Pathology, Saitama Cancer Center, Saitama, Japan
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13
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Di Girolamo N. Biologicals and Biomaterials for Corneal Regeneration and Vision Restoration in Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024:e2401763. [PMID: 38777343 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202401763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
The mammalian cornea is decorated with stem cells bestowed with the life-long task of renewing the epithelium, provided they remain healthy, functional, and in sufficient numbers. If not, a debilitating disease known as limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) can develop causing blindness. Decades after the first stem cell (SC) therapy is devised to treat this condition, patients continue to suffer unacceptable failures. During this time, improvements to therapeutics have included identifying better markers to isolate robust SC populations and nurturing them on crudely modified biological or biomaterial scaffolds including human amniotic membrane, fibrin, and contact lenses, prior to their delivery. Researchers are now gathering information about the biomolecular and biomechanical properties of the corneal SC niche to decipher what biological and/or synthetic materials can be incorporated into these carriers. Advances in biomedical engineering including electrospinning and 3D bioprinting with surface functionalization and micropatterning, and self-assembly models, have generated a wealth of biocompatible, biodegradable, integrating scaffolds to choose from, some of which are being tested for their SC delivery capacity in the hope of improving clinical outcomes for patients with LSCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nick Di Girolamo
- Mechanisms of Disease and Translational Research, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
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14
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Rice G, Farrelly O, Huang S, Kuri P, Curtis E, Ohman L, Li N, Lengner C, Lee V, Rompolas P. Sox9 marks limbal stem cells and is required for asymmetric cell fate switch in the corneal epithelium. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.08.588195. [PMID: 38645161 PMCID: PMC11030424 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.08.588195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Adult tissues with high cellular turnover require a balance between stem cell renewal and differentiation, yet the mechanisms underlying this equilibrium are unclear. The cornea exhibits a polarized lateral flow of progenitors from the peripheral stem cell niche to the center; attributed to differences in cellular fate. To identify genes that are critical for regulating the asymmetric fates of limbal stem cells and their transient amplified progeny in the central cornea, we utilized an in vivo cell cycle reporter to isolate proliferating basal cells across the anterior ocular surface epithelium and performed single-cell transcriptional analysis. This strategy greatly increased the resolution and revealed distinct basal cell identities with unique expression profiles of structural genes and transcription factors. We focused on Sox9; a transcription factor implicated in stem cell regulation across various organs. Sox9 was found to be differentially expressed between limbal stem cells and their progeny in the central corneal. Lineage tracing analysis confirmed that Sox9 marks long-lived limbal stem cells and conditional deletion led to abnormal differentiation and squamous metaplasia in the central cornea. These data suggest a requirement for Sox9 for the switch to asymmetric fate and commitment toward differentiation, as transient cells exit the limbal niche. By inhibiting terminal differentiation of corneal progenitors and forcing them into perpetual symmetric divisions, we replicated the Sox9 loss-of-function phenotype. Our findings reveal an essential role for Sox9 for the spatial regulation of asymmetric fate in the corneal epithelium that is required to sustain tissue homeostasis.
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15
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Kistenmacher S, Schwämmle M, Martin G, Ulrich E, Tholen S, Schilling O, Gießl A, Schlötzer-Schrehardt U, Bucher F, Schlunck G, Nazarenko I, Reinhard T, Polisetti N. Enrichment, Characterization, and Proteomic Profiling of Small Extracellular Vesicles Derived from Human Limbal Mesenchymal Stromal Cells and Melanocytes. Cells 2024; 13:623. [PMID: 38607062 PMCID: PMC11011788 DOI: 10.3390/cells13070623] [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: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Limbal epithelial progenitor cells (LEPC) rely on their niche environment for proper functionality and self-renewal. While extracellular vesicles (EV), specifically small EVs (sEV), have been proposed to support LEPC homeostasis, data on sEV derived from limbal niche cells like limbal mesenchymal stromal cells (LMSC) remain limited, and there are no studies on sEVs from limbal melanocytes (LM). In this study, we isolated sEV from conditioned media of LMSC and LM using a combination of tangential flow filtration and size exclusion chromatography and characterized them by nanoparticle tracking analysis, transmission electron microscopy, Western blot, multiplex bead arrays, and quantitative mass spectrometry. The internalization of sEV by LEPC was studied using flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. The isolated sEVs exhibited typical EV characteristics, including cell-specific markers such as CD90 for LMSC-sEV and Melan-A for LM-sEV. Bioinformatics analysis of the proteomic data suggested a significant role of sEVs in extracellular matrix deposition, with LMSC-derived sEV containing proteins involved in collagen remodeling and cell matrix adhesion, whereas LM-sEV proteins were implicated in other cellular bioprocesses such as cellular pigmentation and development. Moreover, fluorescently labeled LMSC-sEV and LM-sEV were taken up by LEPC and localized to their perinuclear compartment. These findings provide valuable insights into the complex role of sEV from niche cells in regulating the human limbal stem cell niche.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Kistenmacher
- Eye Center, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Killianstrasse 5, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Melanie Schwämmle
- Eye Center, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Killianstrasse 5, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Schaenzlestrasse 1, D–79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Gottfried Martin
- Eye Center, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Killianstrasse 5, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Eva Ulrich
- Eye Center, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Killianstrasse 5, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Tholen
- Institute of Surgical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Freiburg, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, 79085 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Oliver Schilling
- Institute of Surgical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Freiburg, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, 79085 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Andreas Gießl
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlan-gen-Nürnberg, Schwabachanlage 6, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Ursula Schlötzer-Schrehardt
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlan-gen-Nürnberg, Schwabachanlage 6, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Felicitas Bucher
- Eye Center, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Killianstrasse 5, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Günther Schlunck
- Eye Center, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Killianstrasse 5, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Irina Nazarenko
- Institute for Infection Prevention and Hospital Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Reinhard
- Eye Center, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Killianstrasse 5, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Naresh Polisetti
- Eye Center, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Killianstrasse 5, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
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16
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Chauhan A, Gangopadhyay S, Koshta K, Singh S, Singh D, Srivastava V. Activated fibroblasts modify keratinocyte stem niche through TET1 and IL-6 to promote their rapid transformation in a mouse model of prenatal arsenic exposure. Sci Rep 2024; 14:6904. [PMID: 38519574 PMCID: PMC10959921 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-56547-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Early life exposure to environmental pollutants such as arsenic (As) can increase the risk of cancers in the offspring. In an earlier study, we showed that only prenatal As exposure significantly increases epidermal stem cell proliferation and accelerates skin tumorigenesis in BALB/c mouse offspring. In the present work, we have examined the role of As-conditioned dermal fibroblasts (DFs) in creating pro-tumorigenic niches for Keratinocyte stem cells (KSCs) in the offspring. DFs isolated from prenatally exposed animals showed increased levels of activation markers (α-SMA, Fibronectin, Collagen IV), induction of ten-eleven translocation methylcytosine dioxygenase 1(TET1), and secreted high levels of niche modifying IL-6. This led to enhanced proliferation, migration, and survival of KSCs. Increased IL-6 production in As-conditioned fibroblast was driven through TET1 mediated 5-mC to 5-hmC conversion at -698/-526 and -856/-679 region on its promoter. IL-6 further acted through downstream activation of JAK2-STAT3 signaling, promoting epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in KSCs. Inhibition of pSTAT3 induced by IL-6 reduced the EMT process in KSCs resulting in a significant decrease in their proliferation, migration, and colony formation. Our results indicate that IL-6 produced by prenatally conditioned fibroblasts plays a major role in regulating the KSC niche and promoting skin tumor development in As-exposed offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anchal Chauhan
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, Ghaziabad, 201002, India
- Systems Toxicology Group, FEST Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Vishvigyan Bhawan, 31, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Lucknow, 226001, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Siddhartha Gangopadhyay
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, Ghaziabad, 201002, India
- Systems Toxicology Group, FEST Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Vishvigyan Bhawan, 31, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Lucknow, 226001, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Kavita Koshta
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, Ghaziabad, 201002, India
- Systems Toxicology Group, FEST Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Vishvigyan Bhawan, 31, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Lucknow, 226001, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Sukhveer Singh
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, Ghaziabad, 201002, India
- Systems Toxicology Group, FEST Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Vishvigyan Bhawan, 31, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Lucknow, 226001, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Dhirendra Singh
- Animal Facility, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (CSIR-IITR), Vishvigyan Bhawan, 31, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Lucknow, 226001, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Vikas Srivastava
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, Ghaziabad, 201002, India.
- Systems Toxicology Group, FEST Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Vishvigyan Bhawan, 31, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Lucknow, 226001, Uttar Pradesh, India.
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17
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Davidson KC, Sung M, Brown KD, Contet J, Belluschi S, Hamel R, Moreno-Moral A, Dos Santos RL, Gough J, Polo JM, Daniell M, Parfitt GJ. Single nuclei transcriptomics of the in situ human limbal stem cell niche. Sci Rep 2024; 14:6749. [PMID: 38514716 PMCID: PMC10957941 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-57242-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The corneal epithelium acts as a barrier to pathogens entering the eye; corneal epithelial cells are continuously renewed by uni-potent, quiescent limbal stem cells (LSCs) located at the limbus, where the cornea transitions to conjunctiva. There has yet to be a consensus on LSC markers and their transcriptome profile is not fully understood, which may be due to using cadaveric tissue without an intact stem cell niche for transcriptomics. In this study, we addressed this problem by using single nuclei RNA sequencing (snRNAseq) on healthy human limbal tissue that was immediately snap-frozen after excision from patients undergoing cataract surgery. We identified the quiescent LSCs as a sub-population of corneal epithelial cells with a low level of total transcript counts. Moreover, TP63, KRT15, CXCL14, and ITGβ4 were found to be highly expressed in LSCs and transiently amplifying cells (TACs), which constitute the corneal epithelial progenitor populations at the limbus. The surface markers SLC6A6 and ITGβ4 could be used to enrich human corneal epithelial cell progenitors, which were also found to specifically express the putative limbal progenitor cell markers MMP10 and AC093496.1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn C Davidson
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | | | - Karl D Brown
- Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA), Melbourne, Australia
| | - Julian Contet
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | | | | | | | | | - Julian Gough
- Mogrify Limited, Cambridge, England, UK
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, England, UK
| | - Jose M Polo
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.
- Mogrify Limited, Cambridge, England, UK.
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Clayton, VIC, Australia.
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.
- Adelaide Centre for Epigenetics, Faculty of Medicine Nursing and Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia.
- The South Australian Immunogenomics Cancer Institute, Faculty of Medicine Nursing and Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia.
| | - Mark Daniell
- Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA), Melbourne, Australia.
| | - Geraint J Parfitt
- Mogrify Limited, Cambridge, England, UK.
- Ophthalmology Discovery Research, AbbVie, Irvine, CA, USA.
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18
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Thomasy SM, Leonard BC, Greiner MA, Skeie JM, Raghunathan VK. Squishy matters - Corneal mechanobiology in health and disease. Prog Retin Eye Res 2024; 99:101234. [PMID: 38176611 PMCID: PMC11193890 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2023.101234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
The cornea, as a dynamic and responsive tissue, constantly interacts with mechanical forces in order to maintain its structural integrity, barrier function, transparency and refractive power. Cells within the cornea sense and respond to various mechanical forces that fundamentally regulate their morphology and fate in development, homeostasis and pathophysiology. Corneal cells also dynamically regulate their extracellular matrix (ECM) with ensuing cell-ECM crosstalk as the matrix serves as a dynamic signaling reservoir providing biophysical and biochemical cues to corneal cells. Here we provide an overview of mechanotransduction signaling pathways then delve into the recent advances in corneal mechanobiology, focusing on the interplay between mechanical forces and responses of the corneal epithelial, stromal, and endothelial cells. We also identify species-specific differences in corneal biomechanics and mechanotransduction to facilitate identification of optimal animal models to study corneal wound healing, disease, and novel therapeutic interventions. Finally, we identify key knowledge gaps and therapeutic opportunities in corneal mechanobiology that are pressing for the research community to address especially pertinent within the domains of limbal stem cell deficiency, keratoconus and Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy. By furthering our understanding corneal mechanobiology, we can contextualize discoveries regarding corneal diseases as well as innovative treatments for them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara M Thomasy
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California - Davis, Davis, CA, United States; Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science, School of Medicine, University of California - Davis, Davis, CA, United States; California National Primate Research Center, Davis, CA, United States.
| | - Brian C Leonard
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California - Davis, Davis, CA, United States; Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science, School of Medicine, University of California - Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Mark A Greiner
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States; Iowa Lions Eye Bank, Coralville, IA, United States
| | - Jessica M Skeie
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States; Iowa Lions Eye Bank, Coralville, IA, United States
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19
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Wolosin JM. A Keratin 12 Expression-Based Analysis of Stem-Precursor Cells and Differentiation in the Limbal-Corneal Epithelium Using Single-Cell RNA-Seq Data. BIOLOGY 2024; 13:145. [PMID: 38534415 DOI: 10.3390/biology13030145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 02/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
The corneal epithelium (CE) is spread between two domains, the outer vascularized limbus and the avascular cornea proper. Epithelial cells undergo constant migration from the limbus to the vision-critical central cornea. Coordinated with this migration, the cells undergo differentiation changes where a pool of unique stem/precursor cells at the limbus yields the mature cells that reach the corneal center. Differentiation is heralded by the expression of the corneal-specific Krt12. Processing data acquired by scRNA-Seq showed that the increase in Krt12 expression occurs in four distinct steps within the limbus, plus a single continuous increase in the cornea. Differential gene analysis demonstrated that these domains reflect discreet stages of CE differentiation and yielded extensive information of the genes undergoing down- or upregulation in the sequential transition from less to more differentiate conditions. The approach allowed the identification of multiple gene cohorts, including (a) the genes which have maximal expression in the most primitive, Krt12-negative cell cohort, which is likely to include the stem/precursor cells; (b) the sets of genes that undergo continuous increase or decrease along the whole differentiation path; and (c) the genes showing maximal positive or negative correlation with the changes in Krt12.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Mario Wolosin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Black Family Stem Cell Institute and Vision Research Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA
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20
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Zekušić M, Bujić Mihica M, Skoko M, Vukušić K, Risteski P, Martinčić J, Tolić IM, Bendelja K, Ramić S, Dolenec T, Vrgoč Zimić I, Puljić D, Petric Vicković I, Iveković R, Batarilo I, Prosenc Zmrzljak U, Hoffmeister A, Vučemilo T. New characterization and safety evaluation of human limbal stem cells used in clinical application: fidelity of mitotic process and mitotic spindle morphologies. Stem Cell Res Ther 2023; 14:368. [PMID: 38093301 PMCID: PMC10720168 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-023-03586-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Limbal stem cells (LSCs) are crucial for the regeneration of the corneal epithelium in patients with limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD). Thus, LSCs during cultivation in vitro should be in highly homogeneous amounts, while potency and expression of stemness without tumorigenesis would be desirable. Therefore, further characterization and safety evaluation of engineered limbal grafts is required to provide safe and high-quality therapeutic applications. METHODS After in vitro expansion, LSCs undergo laboratory characterization in a single-cell suspension, cell culture, and in limbal grafts before transplantation. Using a clinically applicable protocol, the data collected on LSCs at passage 1 were summarized, including: identity (cell size, morphology); potency (yield, viability, population doubling time, colony-forming efficiency); expression of putative stem cell markers through flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry. Then, mitotic chromosome stability and normal mitotic outcomes were explored by using live-cell imaging. Finally, impurities, bacterial endotoxins and sterility were determined. RESULTS Expression of the stemness marker p63 in single-cell suspension and in cell culture showed high values by different methods. Limbal grafts showed p63-positive cells (78.7 ± 9.4%), Ki67 proliferation (41.7 ± 15.9%), while CK3 was negative. Impurity with 3T3 feeder cells and endotoxins was minimized. We presented mitotic spindles with a length of 11.40 ± 0.54 m and a spindle width of 8.05 ± 0.55 m as new characterization in LSC culture. Additionally, live-cell imaging of LSCs (n = 873) was performed, and only a small fraction < 2.5% of aberrant interphase cells was observed; 2.12 ± 2.10% of mitotic spindles exhibited a multipolar phenotype during metaphase, and 3.84 ± 3.77% of anaphase cells had a DNA signal present within the spindle midzone, indicating a chromosome bridge or lagging chromosome phenotype. CONCLUSION This manuscript provides, for the first time, detailed characterization of the parameters of fidelity of the mitotic process and mitotic spindle morphologies of LSCs used in a direct clinical application. Our data show that p63-positive CK3-negative LSCs grown in vitro for clinical purposes undergo mitotic processes with extremely high fidelity, suggesting high karyotype stability. This finding confirms LSCs as a high-quality and safe therapy for eye regeneration in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marija Zekušić
- Department of Transfusion and Regenerative Medicine, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Marina Bujić Mihica
- Department of Transfusion and Regenerative Medicine, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Marija Skoko
- Department of Transfusion and Regenerative Medicine, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Kruno Vukušić
- Division of Molecular Biology, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Patrik Risteski
- Division of Molecular Biology, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Jelena Martinčić
- Division of Molecular Biology, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Iva M Tolić
- Division of Molecular Biology, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Krešo Bendelja
- Center for Research and Knowledge Transfer in Biotechnology, Laboratory of Immunology, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Snježana Ramić
- Department of Oncological Pathology and Clinical Cytology 'Ljudevit Jurak', University Hospital Center Sestre Milosrdnice, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Tamara Dolenec
- Department of Transfusion and Regenerative Medicine, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ivana Vrgoč Zimić
- Department of Transfusion and Regenerative Medicine, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Dominik Puljić
- Department of Transfusion and Regenerative Medicine, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ivanka Petric Vicković
- Clinical Department of Ophthalmology, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Renata Iveković
- Clinical Department of Ophthalmology, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ivanka Batarilo
- Department of Microbiology, Croatian Institute of Transfusion Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Uršula Prosenc Zmrzljak
- Molecular Biology Department, BIA Separations CRO, Labena d.O.O, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Labena d.o.o, Zagreb, Croatia
| | | | - Tiha Vučemilo
- Department of Transfusion and Regenerative Medicine, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
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Altshuler A, Amitai-Lange A, Nasser W, Dimri S, Bhattacharya S, Tiosano B, Barbara R, Aberdam D, Shimmura S, Shalom-Feuerstein R. Eyes open on stem cells. Stem Cell Reports 2023; 18:2313-2327. [PMID: 38039972 PMCID: PMC10724227 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2023.10.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, the murine cornea has reemerged as a robust stem cell (SC) model, allowing individual SC tracing in living animals. The cornea has pioneered seminal discoveries in SC biology and regenerative medicine, from the first corneal transplantation in 1905 to the identification of limbal SCs and their transplantation to successfully restore vision in the early 1990s. Recent experiments have exposed unexpected properties attributed to SCs and progenitors and revealed flexibility in the differentiation program and a key role for the SC niche. Here, we discuss the limbal SC model and its broader relevance to other tissues, disease, and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Altshuler
- Department of Genetics & Developmental Biology, The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine & Research Institute, Technion Integrated Cancer Center, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 31096, Israel.
| | - Aya Amitai-Lange
- Department of Genetics & Developmental Biology, The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine & Research Institute, Technion Integrated Cancer Center, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 31096, Israel
| | - Waseem Nasser
- Department of Genetics & Developmental Biology, The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine & Research Institute, Technion Integrated Cancer Center, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 31096, Israel
| | - Shalini Dimri
- Department of Genetics & Developmental Biology, The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine & Research Institute, Technion Integrated Cancer Center, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 31096, Israel
| | - Swarnabh Bhattacharya
- Department of Genetics & Developmental Biology, The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine & Research Institute, Technion Integrated Cancer Center, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 31096, Israel
| | - Beatrice Tiosano
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hillel Yaffe Medical Center, Hadera, Israel
| | - Ramez Barbara
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hillel Yaffe Medical Center, Hadera, Israel
| | - Daniel Aberdam
- Université Paris-Cité, INSERM U1138, Centre des Cordeliers, 75270 Paris, France
| | - Shigeto Shimmura
- Department of Clinical Regenerative Medicine, Fujita Medical Innovation Center, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ruby Shalom-Feuerstein
- Department of Genetics & Developmental Biology, The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine & Research Institute, Technion Integrated Cancer Center, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 31096, Israel.
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22
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Pérez I, Galindo S, López-Miguel A, Nieto-Miguel T, de la Mata A, López-Paniagua M, Alberca M, Herreras JM, Calonge M. In Vivo Confocal Microscopy in Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency After Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation: A Sub-analysis from a Phase I-II Clinical Trial. Ophthalmol Ther 2023; 12:3251-3262. [PMID: 37773479 PMCID: PMC10640524 DOI: 10.1007/s40123-023-00809-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The aim of this work is to evaluate the effect of mesenchymal stem cell transplantation (MSCT) and cultivated limbal epithelial transplantation (CLET) therapies on the limbus of patients suffering from limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD). METHODS A sub-analysis of a phase I-II randomized, controlled, and double-masked clinical trial was performed to assess the changes in the anatomical structures of the limbus. In vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) analysis was carried out in LSCD eyes before and 12 months after allogeneic MSCT or CLET. Epithelial phenotype of the central cornea, as well as the presence of transition zones and palisades of Vogt in the limbus, were assessed using Wilcoxon test. RESULTS Twenty-three LSCD (14 MSCT and nine CLET) eyes were included. The epithelial phenotype of the central cornea improved significantly (p < 0.001) from 15 (eight MSCT, seven CLET) and eight (six MSCT, two CLET) LSCD eyes showing conjunctival and mixed phenotypes, respectively, to eight (five MSCT, three CLET), five (two MSCT, three CLET), and ten (seven MSCT, three CLET) eyes showing conjunctival, mixed, and corneal phenotypes, respectively. Transition areas and palisades of Vogt were observed in at least one quadrant in nine (five MSCT, four CLET) and 16 (nine MSCT, seven CLET), and in four (two MSCT, two CLET) and six (three MSCT, three CLET) LSCD eyes before and after surgery, respectively. Changes in the transition zones and palisades were solely significant (p = 0.046) for the nasal and inferior quadrants, respectively. CONCLUSIONS MSCT and CLET improved the central corneal epithelial phenotype despite only minor changes in the anatomical structures of the limbus, as detected by IVCM technology. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT01562002.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inmaculada Pérez
- IOBA (Institute of Applied Ophthalmobiology), Universidad de Valladolid, Campus Miguel Delibes, Paseo Belén, 17, 47011, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Sara Galindo
- IOBA (Institute of Applied Ophthalmobiology), Universidad de Valladolid, Campus Miguel Delibes, Paseo Belén, 17, 47011, Valladolid, Spain
- CIBER-BBN (Biomedical Research Networking Center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine), Carlos III National Institute of Health, Valladolid, Spain
- Department of Cell Biology, Genetics, Histology and Pharmacology, Universidad de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Alberto López-Miguel
- IOBA (Institute of Applied Ophthalmobiology), Universidad de Valladolid, Campus Miguel Delibes, Paseo Belén, 17, 47011, Valladolid, Spain.
- Departamento de Cirugía, Oftalmología, Otorrinolaringología y Fisioterapia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain.
| | - Teresa Nieto-Miguel
- IOBA (Institute of Applied Ophthalmobiology), Universidad de Valladolid, Campus Miguel Delibes, Paseo Belén, 17, 47011, Valladolid, Spain
- CIBER-BBN (Biomedical Research Networking Center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine), Carlos III National Institute of Health, Valladolid, Spain
- Department of Cell Biology, Genetics, Histology and Pharmacology, Universidad de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Ana de la Mata
- IOBA (Institute of Applied Ophthalmobiology), Universidad de Valladolid, Campus Miguel Delibes, Paseo Belén, 17, 47011, Valladolid, Spain
- CIBER-BBN (Biomedical Research Networking Center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine), Carlos III National Institute of Health, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Marina López-Paniagua
- IOBA (Institute of Applied Ophthalmobiology), Universidad de Valladolid, Campus Miguel Delibes, Paseo Belén, 17, 47011, Valladolid, Spain
- CIBER-BBN (Biomedical Research Networking Center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine), Carlos III National Institute of Health, Valladolid, Spain
- Department of Cell Biology, Genetics, Histology and Pharmacology, Universidad de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
- Centro en Red de Medicina Regenerativa y Terapia Celular de Castilla y León, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Mercedes Alberca
- IBGM (Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics) and University Scientific Park, Universidad de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
| | - José M Herreras
- IOBA (Institute of Applied Ophthalmobiology), Universidad de Valladolid, Campus Miguel Delibes, Paseo Belén, 17, 47011, Valladolid, Spain
- CIBER-BBN (Biomedical Research Networking Center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine), Carlos III National Institute of Health, Valladolid, Spain
- Departamento de Cirugía, Oftalmología, Otorrinolaringología y Fisioterapia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Margarita Calonge
- IOBA (Institute of Applied Ophthalmobiology), Universidad de Valladolid, Campus Miguel Delibes, Paseo Belén, 17, 47011, Valladolid, Spain
- CIBER-BBN (Biomedical Research Networking Center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine), Carlos III National Institute of Health, Valladolid, Spain
- Departamento de Cirugía, Oftalmología, Otorrinolaringología y Fisioterapia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
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23
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Chaudhary S, Kate A, Chappidi K, Basu S, Shanbhag SS. Safety and Efficacy of Contact Lenses in Eyes After Simple Limbal Epithelial Transplantation. Cornea 2023; 42:1513-1519. [PMID: 36728263 DOI: 10.1097/ico.0000000000003228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of contact lenses (CLs) in eyes after simple limbal epithelial transplantation (SLET) for limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD). METHODS This retrospective study included 61 eyes with partial or total LSCD which underwent SLET and were fitted with corneal or scleral rigid gas-permeable CLs. The primary outcome measure was best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) with CLs. RESULTS The median age at presentation was 22 years. The most common cause of LSCD was chemical injury [47/61 eyes (77%)]. Twenty-seven eyes (44%) were fitted with corneal rigid gas-permeable lenses, while 34 eyes (56%) were prescribed scleral lenses. The median duration of interval between SLET and CL trial was 10 months (interquartile range: 4-17). The median preoperative BCVA was logarithm of minimal angle of resolution (logMAR) 1.8. This improved to logMAR 1 ( P < 0.001) after SLET and to logMAR 0.6 ( P < 0.001) with CLs. Eyes with chemical injury (logMAR 1 vs. 0.6, P = 0.0001), grade 1 (logMAR 0.8 vs. 0.4, P < 0.0001), and grade 2 (logMAR 0.9 vs. 0.6, P = 0.004) corneal scarring had better improvement in BCVA with CLs. No complications were noted until the last follow-up visit. CONCLUSIONS CLs, both corneal and scleral lenses, provide significant visual improvement in eyes after SLET with residual corneal scarring. These can be safely prescribed in such eyes without any adverse effects. This option can be considered before offering keratoplasty in these eyes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simmy Chaudhary
- The Cornea Institute, KAR Campus, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India
- Bausch & Lomb Contact Lens Centre, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India
| | - Anahita Kate
- The Cornea Institute, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Vijaywada, India
| | - Kiranmayi Chappidi
- The Cornea Institute, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Vijaywada, India
- Brien Holden Institute of Optometry and Vision Sciences, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India
| | - Sayan Basu
- The Cornea Institute, KAR Campus, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India
- Centre for Ocular Regeneration (CORE), L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India; and
- Brien Holden Eye Research Centre (BHERC), L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India
| | - Swapna S Shanbhag
- The Cornea Institute, KAR Campus, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India
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24
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Polisetti N, Martin G, Ulrich E, Glegola M, Schlötzer-Schrehardt U, Schlunck G, Reinhard T. Influence of Organ Culture on the Characteristics of the Human Limbal Stem Cell Niche. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16856. [PMID: 38069177 PMCID: PMC10706739 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242316856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Organ culture storage techniques for corneoscleral limbal (CSL) tissue have improved the quality of corneas for transplantation and allow for longer storage times. Cultured limbal tissue has been used for stem cell transplantation to treat limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) as well as for research purposes to assess homeostasis mechanisms in the limbal stem cell niche. However, the effects of organ culture storage conditions on the quality of limbal niche components are less well described. Therefore, in this study, the morphological and immunohistochemical characteristics of organ-cultured limbal tissue are investigated and compared to fresh limbal tissues by means of light and electron microscopy. Organ-cultured limbal tissues showed signs of deterioration, such as edema, less pronounced basement membranes, and loss of the most superficial layers of the epithelium. In comparison to the fresh limbal epithelium, organ-cultured limbal epithelium showed signs of ongoing proliferative activity (more Ki-67+ cells) and exhibited an altered limbal epithelial phenotype with a loss of N-cadherin and desmoglein expression as well as a lack of precise staining patterns for cytokeratin ((CK)14, CK17/19, CK15). The analyzed extracellular matrix composition was mainly intact (collagen IV, fibronectin, laminin chains) except for Tenascin-C, whose expression was increased in organ-cultured limbal tissue. Nonetheless, the expression patterns of cell-matrix adhesion proteins varied in organ-cultured limbal tissue compared to fresh limbal tissue. A decrease in the number of melanocytes (Melan-A+ cells) and Langerhans cells (HLA-DR+, CD1a+, CD18+) was observed in the organ-cultured limbal tissue. The organ culture-induced alterations of the limbal epithelial stem cell niche might hamper its use in the treatment of LSCD as well as in research studies. In contrast, reduced numbers of donor-derived Langerhans cells seem associated with better clinical outcomes. However, there is a need to consider the preferential use of fresh CSL for limbal transplants and to look at ways of improving the limbal stem cell properties of stored CSL tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naresh Polisetti
- Eye Center, Medical Center—Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Killianstrasse 5, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Gottfried Martin
- Eye Center, Medical Center—Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Killianstrasse 5, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Eva Ulrich
- Eye Center, Medical Center—Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Killianstrasse 5, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Mateusz Glegola
- Eye Center, Medical Center—Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Killianstrasse 5, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Ursula Schlötzer-Schrehardt
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schwabachanlage 6, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Günther Schlunck
- Eye Center, Medical Center—Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Killianstrasse 5, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Reinhard
- Eye Center, Medical Center—Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Killianstrasse 5, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
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25
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Wang X, Li F, Liu X, Zhang H. Applications and Recent Developments of Hydrogels in Ophthalmology. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2023; 9:5968-5984. [PMID: 37906698 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.3c00672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
Hydrogels are a type of functional polymer material with a three-dimensional network structure composed of physically or chemically cross-linked polymers. All hydrogels have two common features: first, their structure contains a large number of hydrophilic groups; therefore, they have a high water content and can swell in water. Second, they have good regulation, and the physical and chemical properties of their cross-linked network can be changed by environmental factors and deliberate modification methods. In recent years, the application of hydrogels in ophthalmology has gradually attracted attention. By selecting an appropriate composition and cross-linking mode, hydrogels can be used in different fields for various applications, such as gel eye drops, in situ gel preparation, intravitreal injection, and corneal contact lenses. This Review provides a detailed introduction to the classification of hydrogels and their applications in glaucoma, vitreous substitutes, fundus diseases, corneal contact lenses, corneal diseases, and cataract surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130041, China
| | - FuQiang Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130041, China
| | - Xin Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130041, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130041, China
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26
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Peng H, Kaplan N, Liu M, Jiang H, Lavker RM. Keeping an Eye Out for Autophagy in the Cornea: Sample Preparation for Single-Cell RNA-Sequencing. Methods Mol Biol 2023:10.1007/7651_2023_502. [PMID: 37930627 PMCID: PMC11162605 DOI: 10.1007/7651_2023_502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) is a powerful technique that can barcode individual cells and thus used to obtain a gene expression profile for every individual cell within a tissue. This makes scRNA-seq an excellent method for characterizing rare cell populations such as stem cells. We describe how scRNA-seq can be utilized to examine limbal epithelial stem cell population as well as investigate the contribution of autophagy to the function of limbal epithelial stem cells. To accomplish this, we used the Beclin1 heterozygous (Beclin1 het) mouse, a well-established model of autophagy deficiency. We provide a protocol that we developed for the isolation of viable, single-cell suspensions of limbal/corneal tissues, as well as the analysis of scRNA-seq data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Peng
- Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Nihal Kaplan
- Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Min Liu
- Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Huimin Jiang
- Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Robert M Lavker
- Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
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27
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Thia ZZ, Ho YT, Shih KC, Tong L. New developments in the management of persistent corneal epithelial defects. Surv Ophthalmol 2023; 68:1093-1114. [PMID: 37301520 DOI: 10.1016/j.survophthal.2023.06.001] [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: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
A persistent epithelial defect (PED) is a corneal epithelial defect that failed to heal after 2weeks. It is a condition that carries much morbidity, and our understanding of PED remains poor, with current treatment methods often having unsatisfactory outcomes. With PEDs becoming more prevalent, more efforts are required to establish reliable treatment modalities. Our reviews describe the causes of PEDs and the different approaches developed to manage them, as well as their associated limitations. Emphasis is placed on understanding various advances in the development of new treatment modalities. We have also described a case of a woman with a background of graft-versus-host disease on long-term topical corticosteroids who developed complicated PED involving both eyes. The current approach to managing PEDs generally involves exclusion of an active infection, followed by treatment modalities that aim to encourage corneal epithelial healing. Success rates, however, remain far from desirable, as treatment remains challenging due to multiple underlying etiologies. In summary, advances in the development of new therapies may be able to facilitate progress in the understanding and treatment of PED.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhang Zhe Thia
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore; National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore; Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yik To Ho
- Hong Kong University, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | | | - Louis Tong
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore; Singapore National Eye Center, Singapore, Singapore; Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore; Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
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28
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Nureen L, Di Girolamo N. Limbal Epithelial Stem Cells in the Diabetic Cornea. Cells 2023; 12:2458. [PMID: 37887302 PMCID: PMC10605319 DOI: 10.3390/cells12202458] [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: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Continuous replenishment of the corneal epithelium is pivotal for maintaining optical transparency and achieving optimal visual perception. This dynamic process is driven by limbal epithelial stem cells (LESCs) located at the junction between the cornea and conjunctiva, which is otherwise known as the limbus. In patients afflicted with diabetes, hyperglycemia-induced impairments in corneal epithelial regeneration results in persistent epithelial and other defects on the ocular surface, termed diabetic keratopathy (DK), which progressively diminish vision and quality of life. Reports of delayed corneal wound healing and the reduced expression of putative stem cell markers in diabetic relative to healthy eyes suggest that the pathogenesis of DK may be associated with the abnormal activity of LESCs. However, the precise role of these cells in diabetic corneal disease is poorly understood and yet to be comprehensively explored. Herein, we review existing literature highlighting aberrant LESC activity in diabetes, focusing on factors that influence their form and function, and emerging therapies to correct these defects. The consequences of malfunctioning or depleted LESC stocks in DK and limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) are also discussed. These insights could be exploited to identify novel targets for improving the management of ocular surface complications that manifest in patients with diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nick Di Girolamo
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia;
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29
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Bonnet C, González S, Deng SX, Zheng JJ. Wnt activation as a potential therapeutic approach to treat partial limbal stem cell deficiency. Sci Rep 2023; 13:15670. [PMID: 37735479 PMCID: PMC10514048 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-42794-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Limbal epithelial stem/progenitor cells (LSCs) are adult stem cells located at the limbus, tightly regulated by their niche involving numerous signaling pathways, such as Wnt. Wnt proteins are secreted morphogens that play critical roles in embryonic development, stem cell proliferation, self-renewal, tissue regeneration, and remodeling in adults. It has been shown that a small molecule Wnt mimic could improve LSCs expansion ex vivo. Damage to the LSCs and/or their niche can lead to limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD), a condition that can cause corneal blindness and is difficult to treat. This study explored if repopulating residual LSCs in partial LSCD through Wnt activation could be a novel therapeutic approach. To mimic LSCD due to a chemical injury, single cultured LSCs were exposed to various concentrations of sodium hydroxide. A progressive loss of the LSCs phenotype was observed: the percentage of p63bright cells and cytokeratin (K)14+ cells decreased while the percentage of K12+ increased. Wnt activation was attained by treating the LSCs with lithium chloride (LiCl) and a small-molecule Wnt mimic, respectively. After 18 h of treatment, LSCs proliferation was increased, and the LSCs phenotype was recovered, while the untreated cells did not proliferate and lost their phenotype. The percentage of p63bright cells was significantly higher in the Wnt mimic-treated cells compared with untreated cells, while the percentage of K12+ cells was significantly lower. These findings suggest that local Wnt activation may rescue LSCs upon alkaline injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clémence Bonnet
- Department of Ophthalmology, Stein Eye Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, 100 Stein Plaza, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- INSERM, UMRS1138, Team 17, From Physiopathology of Ocular Diseases to Clinical Development, Cordeliers Research Center, Ophthalmology Department, Cochin Hospital, AP-HP, Université Paris Cité, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Sheyla González
- Department of Ophthalmology, Stein Eye Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, 100 Stein Plaza, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Sophie X Deng
- Department of Ophthalmology, Stein Eye Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, 100 Stein Plaza, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Jie J Zheng
- Department of Ophthalmology, Stein Eye Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, 100 Stein Plaza, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
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30
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Yam GHF, Pi S, Du Y, Mehta JS. Posterior corneoscleral limbus: Architecture, stem cells, and clinical implications. Prog Retin Eye Res 2023; 96:101192. [PMID: 37392960 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2023.101192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023]
Abstract
The limbus is a transition from the cornea to conjunctiva and sclera. In human eyes, this thin strip has a rich variation of tissue structures and composition, typifying a change from scleral irregularity and opacity to corneal regularity and transparency; a variation from richly vascularized conjunctiva and sclera to avascular cornea; the neural passage and drainage of aqueous humor. The limbal stroma is enriched with circular fibres running parallel to the corneal circumference, giving its unique role in absorbing small pressure changes to maintain corneal curvature and refractivity. It contains specific niches housing different types of stem cells for the corneal epithelium, stromal keratocytes, corneal endothelium, and trabecular meshwork. This truly reflects the important roles of the limbus in ocular physiology, and the limbal functionality is crucial for corneal health and the entire visual system. Since the anterior limbus containing epithelial structures and limbal epithelial stem cells has been extensively reviewed, this article is focused on the posterior limbus. We have discussed the structural organization and cellular components of the region beneath the limbal epithelium, the characteristics of stem cell types: namely corneal stromal stem cells, endothelial progenitors and trabecular meshwork stem cells, and recent advances leading to the emergence of potential cell therapy options to replenish their respective mature cell types and to correct defects causing corneal abnormalities. We have reviewed different clinical disorders associated with defects of the posterior limbus and summarized the available preclinical and clinical evidence about the developing topic of cell-based therapy for corneal disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary Hin-Fai Yam
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Tissue Engineering and Cell Therapy Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore; McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
| | - Shaohua Pi
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Yiqin Du
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Jodhbir S Mehta
- Tissue Engineering and Cell Therapy Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore; Department of Cornea and External Eye Disease, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore; Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Academic Clinical Program, Duke-National University of Singapore (NUS) Medical School, Singapore.
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Yang W, Lee SK, Lehmann OJ, Wu Z, Hiriyanna S, Swaroop A, Lavker RM, Peng H, Kume T. FoxC1 activates limbal epithelial stem cells following corneal epithelial debridement. Exp Eye Res 2023; 234:109599. [PMID: 37488009 PMCID: PMC10530263 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2023.109599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
Limbal epithelial stem cells are not only critical for corneal epithelial homeostasis but also have the capacity to change from a relatively quiescent mitotic phenotype to a rapidly proliferating cell in response to population depletion following corneal epithelial wounding. Pax6+/- mice display many abnormalities including corneal vascularization and these aberrations are consistent with a limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) phenotype. FoxC1 has an inhibitory effect on corneal avascularity and a positive role in stem cell maintenance in many tissues. However, the role of FoxC1 in limbal epithelial stem cells remains unknown. To unravel FoxC1's role(s) in limbal epithelial stem cell homeostasis, we utilized an adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector to topically deliver human FOXC1 proteins into Pax6 +/- mouse limbal epithelium. Under unperturbed conditions, overexpression of FOXC1 in the limbal epithelium had little significant change in differentiation (PAI-2, Krt12) and proliferation (BrdU, Ki67). Conversely, such overexpression resulted in a marked increase in the expression of putative limbal epithelial stem cell markers, N-cadherin and Lrig1. After corneal injuries in Pax6 +/- mice, FOXC1 overexpression enhanced the behavior of limbal epithelial stem cells from quiescence to a highly proliferative status. Overall, the treatment of AAV8-FOXC1 may be beneficial to the function of limbal epithelial stem cells in the context of a deficiency of Pax6 function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wending Yang
- Departments of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Sun Kyong Lee
- Departments of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Ordan J Lehmann
- Department of Ophthalmology and Medical Genetics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G, 2H7, Canada
| | - Zhijian Wu
- Neurobiology Neurodegeneration& Repair Laboratory (N-NRL), National Eye Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Suja Hiriyanna
- Neurobiology Neurodegeneration& Repair Laboratory (N-NRL), National Eye Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Anand Swaroop
- Neurobiology Neurodegeneration& Repair Laboratory (N-NRL), National Eye Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Robert M Lavker
- Departments of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
| | - Han Peng
- Departments of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
| | - Tsutomu Kume
- Departments of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
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32
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Wang M, Li Y, Wang H, Li M, Wang X, Liu R, Zhang D, Xu W. Corneal regeneration strategies: From stem cell therapy to tissue engineered stem cell scaffolds. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 165:115206. [PMID: 37494785 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Corneal epithelial defects and excessive wound healing might lead to severe complications. As stem cells can self-renew infinitely, they are a promising solution for regenerating the corneal epithelium and treating severe corneal epithelial injury. The chemical and biophysical properties of biological scaffolds, such as the amniotic membrane, fibrin, and hydrogels, can provide the necessary signals for stem cell proliferation and differentiation. Multiple researchers have conducted investigations on these scaffolds and evaluated them as potential therapeutic interventions for corneal disorders. These studies have identified various inherent benefits and drawbacks associated with these scaffolds. In this study, we provided a comprehensive overview of the history and use of various stem cells in corneal repair. We mainly discussed biological scaffolds that are used in stem cell transplantation and innovative materials that are under investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengyuan Wang
- Institute of Regenerative Medicine and Laboratory Technology Innovation, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266071, PR China
| | - Ying Li
- Institute of Regenerative Medicine and Laboratory Technology Innovation, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266071, PR China
| | - Hongqiao Wang
- Blood Purification Department, Qingdao Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Qingdao Hiser Hospital, Qingdao, Shandong 266071, PR China
| | - Meng Li
- Institute of Regenerative Medicine and Laboratory Technology Innovation, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266071, PR China
| | - Xiaomin Wang
- Institute of Regenerative Medicine and Laboratory Technology Innovation, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266071, PR China
| | - Rongzhen Liu
- Institute of Regenerative Medicine and Laboratory Technology Innovation, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266071, PR China
| | - Daijun Zhang
- Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266071, PR China.
| | - Wenhua Xu
- Institute of Regenerative Medicine and Laboratory Technology Innovation, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266071, PR China.
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Jurkunas UV, Yin J, Johns LK, Li S, Negre H, Shaw KL, Samarakoon L, Ayala AR, Kheirkhah A, Katikireddy K, Gauthier A, Ong Tone S, Kaufman AR, Ellender S, Hernandez Rodriguez DE, Daley H, Dana R, Armant M, Ritz J. Cultivated autologous limbal epithelial cell (CALEC) transplantation: Development of manufacturing process and clinical evaluation of feasibility and safety. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadg6470. [PMID: 37595035 PMCID: PMC10438443 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adg6470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023]
Abstract
To treat unilateral limbal stem cell (LSC) deficiency, we developed cultivated autologous limbal epithelial cells (CALEC) using an innovative xenobiotic-free, serum-free, antibiotic-free, two-step manufacturing process for LSC isolation and expansion onto human amniotic membrane with rigorous quality control in a good manufacturing practices facility. Limbal biopsies were used to generate CALEC constructs, and final grafts were evaluated by noninvasive scanning microscopy and tested for viability and sterility. Cultivated cells maintained epithelial cell phenotype with colony-forming and proliferative capacities. Analysis of LSC biomarkers showed preservation of "stemness." After preclinical development, a phase 1 clinical trial enrolled five patients with unilateral LSC deficiency. Four of these patients received CALEC transplants, establishing preliminary feasibility. Clinical case histories are reported, with no primary safety events. On the basis of these results, a second recruitment phase of the trial was opened to provide longer term safety and efficacy data on more patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ula V. Jurkunas
- Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jia Yin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lynette K. Johns
- Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sanming Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Helene Negre
- Connell and O'Reilly Families Cell Manipulation Core Facility, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kit L. Shaw
- Connell and O'Reilly Families Cell Manipulation Core Facility, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Ahmad Kheirkhah
- Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kishore Katikireddy
- Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alex Gauthier
- Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Stephan Ong Tone
- Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Aaron R. Kaufman
- Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Stacey Ellender
- Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Heather Daley
- Connell and O'Reilly Families Cell Manipulation Core Facility, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Reza Dana
- Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Myriam Armant
- TransLab, Translational Research Program, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jerome Ritz
- Connell and O'Reilly Families Cell Manipulation Core Facility, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Feinberg K, Tajdaran K, Mirmoeini K, Daeschler SC, Henriquez MA, Stevens KE, Mulenga CM, Hussain A, Hamrah P, Ali A, Gordon T, Borschel GH. The Role of Sensory Innervation in Homeostatic and Injury-Induced Corneal Epithelial Renewal. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12615. [PMID: 37628793 PMCID: PMC10454376 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The cornea is the window through which we see the world. Corneal clarity is required for vision, and blindness occurs when the cornea becomes opaque. The cornea is covered by unique transparent epithelial cells that serve as an outermost cellular barrier bordering between the cornea and the external environment. Corneal sensory nerves protect the cornea from injury by triggering tearing and blink reflexes, and are also thought to regulate corneal epithelial renewal via unknown mechanism(s). When protective corneal sensory innervation is absent due to infection, trauma, intracranial tumors, surgery, or congenital causes, permanent blindness results from repetitive epithelial microtraumas and failure to heal. The condition is termed neurotrophic keratopathy (NK), with an incidence of 5:10,000 people worldwide. In this report, we review the currently available therapeutic solutions for NK and discuss the progress in our understanding of how the sensory nerves induce corneal epithelial renewal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantin Feinberg
- Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Kiana Tajdaran
- Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Kaveh Mirmoeini
- Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
- Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Simeon C. Daeschler
- Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
- Department of Hand, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Burn Center, BG Trauma Hospital, Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery, University of Heidelberg, 67071 Ludwigshafen, Germany
| | - Mario A. Henriquez
- Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Katelyn E. Stevens
- Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Chilando M. Mulenga
- Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Arif Hussain
- Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Pedram Hamrah
- Cornea Service, New England Eye Center, Tufts Medical Center, Department of Ophthalmology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA
- Center for Translational Ocular Immunology, Department of Ophthalmology, Tufts Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA
| | - Asim Ali
- Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada
- Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 3A9, Canada
| | - Tessa Gordon
- Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Gregory H. Borschel
- Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
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Swamynathan SK, Swamynathan S. Corneal epithelial development and homeostasis. Differentiation 2023; 132:4-14. [PMID: 36870804 PMCID: PMC10363238 DOI: 10.1016/j.diff.2023.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
The corneal epithelium (CE), the most anterior cellular structure of the eye, is a self-renewing stratified squamous tissue that protects the rest of the eye from external elements. Each cell in this exquisite three-dimensional structure needs to have proper polarity and positional awareness for the CE to serve as a transparent, refractive, and protective tissue. Recent studies have begun to elucidate the molecular and cellular events involved in the embryonic development, post-natal maturation, and homeostasis of the CE, and how they are regulated by a well-coordinated network of transcription factors. This review summarizes the status of related knowledge and aims to provide insight into the pathophysiology of disorders caused by disruption of CE development, and/or homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sudha Swamynathan
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
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36
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Aketa N, Kasai M, Noda S, Asano J, Kunieda A, Kawanishi S, Maruyama Y, Honda F. Insights into the clinical development of regenerative medical products through a comparison of three cell-based products recently approved for limbal stem cell deficiency. Ocul Surf 2023; 29:220-225. [PMID: 37257692 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtos.2023.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Three regenerative medical products for limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD), a rare and intractable ocular surface disease, have recently been approved in Japan. To our knowledge, this is the first time multiple stem-cell-based medical products have been approved for the same ocular disease. Development plans and study designs for each product differ, resulting in differences in indications. Since cell-based products have a heterogeneous formulation and often target rare diseases, they require a flexible approach to development. This review article describes the status and prospects of the clinical development of regenerative medical products by summarizing the issues of the three products from the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) standpoint. Implementing stem cell-based products is challenging, requiring scientific and flexible review by regulatory authorities. To overcome these issues in the development process, developers and regulatory authorities need to communicate and fully discuss study protocols from the early stage of development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naohiko Aketa
- Office of Cellular and Tissue-based Products, Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masaki Kasai
- Office of Pharmacovigilance II, Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shinichi Noda
- Office of Cellular and Tissue-based Products, Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Junichi Asano
- Biostatistics Group, Center for Product Evaluation, Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akiyoshi Kunieda
- Office of Cellular and Tissue-based Products, Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shohei Kawanishi
- Office of Cellular and Tissue-based Products, Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshiaki Maruyama
- Office of Cellular and Tissue-based Products, Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Futaba Honda
- Office of Cellular and Tissue-based Products, Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency, Tokyo, Japan
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37
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Bisevac J, Katta K, Petrovski G, Moe MC, Noer A. Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Activation Induces Differentiation in Human Limbal Epithelial Stem Cells Cultured Ex Vivo. Biomedicines 2023; 11:1829. [PMID: 37509479 PMCID: PMC10377110 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11071829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Human limbal epithelial stem cells (hLESCs) continuously replenish lost or damaged human corneal epithelial cells. The percentage of stem/progenitor cells in autologous ex vivo expanded tissue is essential for the long-term success of transplantation in patients with limbal epithelial stem cell deficiency. However, the molecular processes governing the stemness and differentiation state of hLESCs remain uncertain. Therefore, we sought to explore the impact of canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling activation on hLESCs by treating ex vivo expanded hLESC cultures with GSK-3 inhibitor LY2090314. Real-time qRT-PCR and microarray data reveal the downregulation of stemness (TP63), progenitor (SOX9), quiescence (CEBPD), and proliferation (MKI67, PCNA) genes and the upregulation of genes for differentiation (CX43, KRT3) in treated- compared to non-treated samples. The pathway activation was shown by AXIN2 upregulation and enhanced levels of accumulated β-catenin. Immunocytochemistry and Western blot confirmed the findings for most of the above-mentioned markers. The Wnt/β-catenin signaling profile demonstrated an upregulation of WNT1, WNT3, WNT5A, WNT6, and WNT11 gene expression and a downregulation for WNT7A and DKK1 in the treated samples. No significant differences were found for WNT2, WNT16B, WIF1, and DKK2 gene expression. Overall, our results demonstrate that activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in ex vivo expanded hLESCs governs the cells towards differentiation and reduces proliferation and stem cell maintenance capability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jovana Bisevac
- Center for Eye Research and Innovative Diagnostics, Department of Ophthalmology, Oslo University Hospital, P.O. Box 4956 Nydalen, 0424 Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, 0318 Oslo, Norway
| | - Kirankumar Katta
- Department of Immunology, Oslo University Hospital, Hf Rikshospitalet, 0424 Oslo, Norway
| | - Goran Petrovski
- Center for Eye Research and Innovative Diagnostics, Department of Ophthalmology, Oslo University Hospital, P.O. Box 4956 Nydalen, 0424 Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, 0318 Oslo, Norway
| | - Morten Carstens Moe
- Center for Eye Research and Innovative Diagnostics, Department of Ophthalmology, Oslo University Hospital, P.O. Box 4956 Nydalen, 0424 Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, 0318 Oslo, Norway
| | - Agate Noer
- Center for Eye Research and Innovative Diagnostics, Department of Ophthalmology, Oslo University Hospital, P.O. Box 4956 Nydalen, 0424 Oslo, Norway
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Sun D, Shi WY, Dou SQ. Single-cell RNA sequencing in cornea research: Insights into limbal stem cells and their niche regulation. World J Stem Cells 2023; 15:466-475. [PMID: 37342216 PMCID: PMC10277966 DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.v15.i5.466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The corneal epithelium is composed of stratified squamous epithelial cells on the outer surface of the eye, which acts as a protective barrier and is critical for clear and stable vision. Its continuous renewal or wound healing depends on the proliferation and differentiation of limbal stem cells (LSCs), a cell population that resides at the limbus in a highly regulated niche. Dysfunction of LSCs or their niche can cause limbal stem cell deficiency, a disease that is manifested by failed epithelial wound healing or even blindness. Nevertheless, compared to stem cells in other tissues, little is known about the LSCs and their niche. With the advent of single-cell RNA sequencing, our understanding of LSC characteristics and their microenvironment has grown considerably. In this review, we summarized the current findings from single-cell studies in the field of cornea research and focused on important advancements driven by this technology, including the heterogeneity of the LSC population, novel LSC markers and regulation of the LSC niche, which will provide a reference for clinical issues such as corneal epithelial wound healing, ocular surface reconstruction and interventions for related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Sun
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao 266000, Shandong Province, China
- Qingdao Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao 266000, Shandong Province, China
| | - Wei-Yun Shi
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao 266000, Shandong Province, China
- Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan 250000, Shandong Province, China
- School of Ophthalmology, Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao 266000, Shandong Province, China
| | - Sheng-Qian Dou
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao 266000, Shandong Province, China
- Qingdao Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao 266000, Shandong Province, China
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Zhang Z, Yang L, Li Y, Sun D, Chen R, Dou S, Liu T, Zhang S, Zhou Q, Xie L. Interference of sympathetic overactivation restores limbal stem/progenitor cells function and accelerates corneal epithelial wound healing in diabetic mice. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 161:114523. [PMID: 36931034 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Diabetic keratopathy (DK), the diabetic complication in the cornea, is characterized by the delayed epithelial regeneration and sensory nerve degeneration. The involvement of limbal stem/progenitor cells (LSPCs) dysfunction has been reported, however the pathogenic mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we confirmed the dysfunction of LSPCs in diabetic mouse and human corneas. The sympathetic nerve in the cornea was adjacent to LSPCs, and the sympathetic overactivation was found in diabetic mice. Surgical and pharmacological ablation of sympathetic nerves rescued the LSPCs function and promoted corneal epithelial regeneration in diabetic mice. In contrast, both topical norepinephrine (NE) application and chemogenetic sympathetic overactivation directly impaired the stemness and proliferation characteristics of LSPCs, as well as the normal epithelial regeneration. Moreover, we identified that β2-adrenoceptor (Adrb2) was the predominant adrenergic receptor expressed in LSPCs by corneal limbal single-cell sequencing and real time PCR (RT-PCR) analysis of sorted LSPCs. The Adrb2 knockout mice exhibited the enhancement of epithelial regeneration and LSPCs function, compared with the wild-type mice. Similarly, topical application of the Adrb2 specific antagonist ICI 118, 551 effectively accelerated diabetic corneal epithelial regeneration with the restored LSPCs function. Mechanistically, sonic hedgehog (Shh) activity mediated the downstream effects of NE-Adrb2 signaling pathway in regulating LSPCs and epithelial regeneration. Taken together, our data revealed the involvement of sympathetic overactivation in the impairment of diabetic LSPCs function and corneal epithelial regeneration through the NE-Adrb2-Shh signaling pathway. The interference of sympathetic overactivation may provide novel treatment strategies for diabetic keratopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenzhen Zhang
- Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China; State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, China
| | - Lingling Yang
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, China
| | - Ya Li
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, China
| | - Di Sun
- School of Ophthalmology, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Rong Chen
- School of Ophthalmology, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Shengqian Dou
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, China
| | - Ting Liu
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, China
| | - Sai Zhang
- School of Ophthalmology, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Qingjun Zhou
- Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China; State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, China; School of Ophthalmology, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China.
| | - Lixin Xie
- Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China; State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, China; School of Ophthalmology, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China.
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40
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Galenza A, Moreno-Roman P, Su YH, Acosta-Alvarez L, Debec A, Guichet A, Knapp JM, Kizilyaprak C, Humbel BM, Kolotuev I, O'Brien LE. Basal stem cell progeny establish their apical surface in a junctional niche during turnover of an adult barrier epithelium. Nat Cell Biol 2023; 25:658-671. [PMID: 36997641 PMCID: PMC10317055 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-023-01116-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023]
Abstract
Barrier epithelial organs face the constant challenge of sealing the interior body from the external environment while simultaneously replacing the cells that contact this environment. New replacement cells-the progeny of basal stem cells-are born without barrier-forming structures such as a specialized apical membrane and occluding junctions. Here, we investigate how new progeny acquire barrier structures as they integrate into the intestinal epithelium of adult Drosophila. We find they gestate their future apical membrane in a sublumenal niche created by a transitional occluding junction that envelops the differentiating cell and enables it to form a deep, microvilli-lined apical pit. The transitional junction seals the pit from the intestinal lumen until differentiation-driven, basal-to-apical remodelling of the niche opens the pit and integrates the now-mature cell into the barrier. By coordinating junctional remodelling with terminal differentiation, stem cell progeny integrate into a functional, adult epithelium without jeopardizing barrier integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Galenza
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Physiology and Institute of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Paola Moreno-Roman
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Physiology and Institute of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Foldscope Instruments, Inc., Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Yu-Han Su
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Physiology and Institute of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Lehi Acosta-Alvarez
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Physiology and Institute of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Alain Debec
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Institut Jacques Monod, Paris, France
- Institute of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, iEES, Sorbonne University, UPEC, CNRS, IRD, INRA, Paris, France
| | - Antoine Guichet
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Institut Jacques Monod, Paris, France
| | | | - Caroline Kizilyaprak
- Université de Lausanne, Bâtiment Biophore, Quartier Sorge, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Bruno M Humbel
- Université de Lausanne, Bâtiment Biophore, Quartier Sorge, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Provost's Office, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, Tancha, Japan
| | - Irina Kolotuev
- Université de Lausanne, Bâtiment Biophore, Quartier Sorge, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Lucy Erin O'Brien
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Physiology and Institute of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Chan-Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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41
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Genet N, Genet G, Chavkin NW, Paila U, Fang JS, Vasavada HH, Goldberg JS, Acharya BR, Bhatt NS, Baker K, McDonnell SP, Huba M, Sankaranarayanan D, Ma GZM, Eichmann A, Thomas JL, Ffrench-Constant C, Hirschi KK. Connexin 43-mediated neurovascular interactions regulate neurogenesis in the adult brain subventricular zone. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112371. [PMID: 37043357 PMCID: PMC10564973 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The subventricular zone (SVZ) is the largest neural stem cell (NSC) niche in the adult brain; herein, the blood-brain barrier is leaky, allowing direct interactions between NSCs and endothelial cells (ECs). Mechanisms by which direct NSC-EC interactions in the adult SVZ control NSC behavior are unclear. We found that Cx43 is highly expressed by SVZ NSCs and ECs, and its deletion in either leads to increased NSC proliferation and neuroblast generation, suggesting that Cx43-mediated NSC-EC interactions maintain NSC quiescence. This is further supported by single-cell RNA sequencing and in vitro studies showing that ECs control NSC proliferation by regulating expression of genes associated with NSC quiescence and/or activation in a Cx43-dependent manner. Cx43 mediates these effects in a channel-independent manner involving its cytoplasmic tail and ERK activation. Such insights inform adult NSC regulation and maintenance aimed at stem cell therapies for neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nafiisha Genet
- Department of Cell Biology, Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; Departments of Medicine and Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06511, USA; Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06511, USA.
| | - Gael Genet
- Department of Cell Biology, Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Nicholas W Chavkin
- Department of Cell Biology, Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Umadevi Paila
- Department of Cell Biology, Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Jennifer S Fang
- Departments of Medicine and Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06511, USA; Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Hema H Vasavada
- Department of Cell Biology, Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; Departments of Medicine and Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06511, USA; Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Joshua S Goldberg
- Departments of Medicine and Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06511, USA; Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Bipul R Acharya
- Department of Cell Biology, Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Neha S Bhatt
- Departments of Medicine and Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06511, USA; Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Kasey Baker
- Departments of Medicine and Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06511, USA; Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06511, USA; Departments of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06511, USA; Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06511, USA; Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Stephanie P McDonnell
- Department of Cell Biology, Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Mahalia Huba
- Department of Cell Biology, Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Danya Sankaranarayanan
- Department of Cell Biology, Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Gerry Z M Ma
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK; Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
| | - Anne Eichmann
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06511, USA; Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Jean-Leon Thomas
- Departments of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06511, USA; Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06511, USA; Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Charles Ffrench-Constant
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK; Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
| | - Karen K Hirschi
- Department of Cell Biology, Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; Departments of Medicine and Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06511, USA; Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06511, USA.
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Bhattacharya S, Mukherjee A, Pisano S, Dimri S, Knaane E, Altshuler A, Nasser W, Dey S, Shi L, Mizrahi I, Blum N, Jokel O, Amitai-Lange A, Kaganovsky A, Mimouni M, Socea S, Midlij M, Tiosano B, Hasson P, Feral C, Wolfenson H, Shalom-Feuerstein R. The biophysical property of the limbal niche maintains stemness through YAP. Cell Death Differ 2023:10.1038/s41418-023-01156-7. [PMID: 37095157 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-023-01156-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The cell fate decisions of stem cells (SCs) largely depend on signals from their microenvironment (niche). However, very little is known about how biochemical niche cues control cell behavior in vivo. To address this question, we focused on the corneal epithelial SC model in which the SC niche, known as the limbus, is spatially segregated from the differentiation compartment. We report that the unique biomechanical property of the limbus supports the nuclear localization and function of Yes-associated protein (YAP), a putative mediator of the mechanotransduction pathway. Perturbation of tissue stiffness or YAP activity affects SC function as well as tissue integrity under homeostasis and significantly inhibited the regeneration of the SC population following SC depletion. In vitro experiments revealed that substrates with the rigidity of the corneal differentiation compartment inhibit nuclear YAP localization and induce differentiation, a mechanism that is mediated by the TGFβ-SMAD2/3 pathway. Taken together, these results indicate that SC sense biomechanical niche signals and that manipulation of mechano-sensory machinery or its downstream biochemical output may bear fruits in SC expansion for regenerative therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swarnabh Bhattacharya
- Department of Genetics & Developmental Biology, The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine & Research Institute, Technion Integrated Cancer Center, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, 31096, Haifa, Israel.
- Department of Medical Oncology and Center for Functional Cancer Epigenetics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
- Departments of Medicine, Brigham & Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
| | - Abhishek Mukherjee
- Department of Genetics & Developmental Biology, The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine & Research Institute, Technion Integrated Cancer Center, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, 31096, Haifa, Israel
| | - Sabrina Pisano
- Université Côte d'Azur, INSERM, CNRS, IRCAN, 06107, Nice, France
| | - Shalini Dimri
- Department of Genetics & Developmental Biology, The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine & Research Institute, Technion Integrated Cancer Center, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, 31096, Haifa, Israel
| | - Eman Knaane
- Department of Genetics & Developmental Biology, The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine & Research Institute, Technion Integrated Cancer Center, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, 31096, Haifa, Israel
| | - Anna Altshuler
- Department of Genetics & Developmental Biology, The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine & Research Institute, Technion Integrated Cancer Center, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, 31096, Haifa, Israel
| | - Waseem Nasser
- Department of Genetics & Developmental Biology, The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine & Research Institute, Technion Integrated Cancer Center, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, 31096, Haifa, Israel
| | - Sunanda Dey
- Department of Genetics & Developmental Biology, The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine & Research Institute, Technion Integrated Cancer Center, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, 31096, Haifa, Israel
| | - Lidan Shi
- Department of Genetics & Developmental Biology, The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine & Research Institute, Technion Integrated Cancer Center, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, 31096, Haifa, Israel
| | - Ido Mizrahi
- Department of Genetics & Developmental Biology, The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine & Research Institute, Technion Integrated Cancer Center, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, 31096, Haifa, Israel
| | - Noam Blum
- Department of Genetics & Developmental Biology, The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine & Research Institute, Technion Integrated Cancer Center, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, 31096, Haifa, Israel
| | - Ophir Jokel
- Department of Genetics & Developmental Biology, The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine & Research Institute, Technion Integrated Cancer Center, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, 31096, Haifa, Israel
| | - Aya Amitai-Lange
- Department of Genetics & Developmental Biology, The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine & Research Institute, Technion Integrated Cancer Center, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, 31096, Haifa, Israel
| | - Anna Kaganovsky
- Department of Genetics & Developmental Biology, The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine & Research Institute, Technion Integrated Cancer Center, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, 31096, Haifa, Israel
| | - Michael Mimouni
- Department of Ophthalmology, Rambam Health Care Campus, 31096, Haifa, Israel
| | - Sergiu Socea
- Department of Ophthalmology, Rambam Health Care Campus, 31096, Haifa, Israel
| | - Mohamad Midlij
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hilel Yafe Medical Center, Hadera, Israel
| | - Beatrice Tiosano
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hilel Yafe Medical Center, Hadera, Israel
| | - Peleg Hasson
- Department of Genetics & Developmental Biology, The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine & Research Institute, Technion Integrated Cancer Center, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, 31096, Haifa, Israel
| | - Chloe Feral
- Université Côte d'Azur, INSERM, CNRS, IRCAN, 06107, Nice, France
| | - Haguy Wolfenson
- Department of Genetics & Developmental Biology, The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine & Research Institute, Technion Integrated Cancer Center, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, 31096, Haifa, Israel.
| | - Ruby Shalom-Feuerstein
- Department of Genetics & Developmental Biology, The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine & Research Institute, Technion Integrated Cancer Center, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, 31096, Haifa, Israel.
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43
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Polisetti N, Martin G, Cristina Schmitz HR, Schlötzer-Schrehardt U, Schlunck G, Reinhard T. Characterization of Porcine Ocular Surface Epithelial Microenvironment. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087543. [PMID: 37108705 PMCID: PMC10145510 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The porcine ocular surface is used as a model of the human ocular surface; however, a detailed characterization of the porcine ocular surface has not been documented. This is due, in part, to the scarcity of antibodies produced specifically against the porcine ocular surface cell types or structures. We performed a histological and immunohistochemical investigation on frozen and formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded ocular surface tissue from domestic pigs using a panel of 41 different antibodies related to epithelial progenitor/differentiation phenotypes, extracellular matrix and associated molecules, and various niche cell types. Our observations suggested that the Bowman's layer is not evident in the cornea; the deep invaginations of the limbal epithelium in the limbal zone are analogous to the limbal interpalisade crypts of human limbal tissue; and the presence of goblet cells in the bulbar conjunctiva. Immunohistochemistry analysis revealed that the epithelial progenitor markers cytokeratin (CK)15, CK14, p63α, and P-cadherin were expressed in both the limbal and conjunctival basal epithelium, whereas the basal cells of the limbal and conjunctival epithelium did not stain for CK3, CK12, E-cadherin, and CK13. Antibodies detecting marker proteins related to the extracellular matrix (collagen IV, Tenascin-C), cell-matrix adhesion (β-dystroglycan, integrin α3 and α6), mesenchymal cells (vimentin, CD90, CD44), neurons (neurofilament), immune cells (HLA-ABC; HLA-DR, CD1, CD4, CD14), vasculature (von Willebrand factor), and melanocytes (SRY-homeobox-10, human melanoma black-45, Tyrosinase) on the normal human ocular surface demonstrated similar immunoreactivity on the normal porcine ocular surface. Only a few antibodies (directed against N-cadherin, fibronectin, agrin, laminin α3 and α5, melan-A) appeared unreactive on porcine tissues. Our findings characterize the main immunohistochemical properties of the porcine ocular surface and provide a morphological and immunohistochemical basis useful to research using porcine models. Furthermore, the analyzed porcine ocular structures are similar to those of humans, confirming the potential usefulness of pig eyes to study ocular surface physiology and pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naresh Polisetti
- Eye Center, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Killianstrasse 5, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Gottfried Martin
- Eye Center, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Killianstrasse 5, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Heidi R Cristina Schmitz
- CEMT-Freiburg, Experimental Surgery, Hospital-Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Breisacher Str. 66, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Ursula Schlötzer-Schrehardt
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schwabachanlage 6, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Günther Schlunck
- Eye Center, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Killianstrasse 5, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Reinhard
- Eye Center, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Killianstrasse 5, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
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44
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Bonnet C, Ruiz M, Gonzalez S, Tseng CH, Bourges JL, Behar-Cohen F, Deng SX. Single mRNA detection of Wnt signaling pathway in the human limbus. Exp Eye Res 2023; 229:109337. [PMID: 36702232 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2022.109337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Limbal epithelial stem/progenitor cells (LSCs) are adult stem cells located at the limbus, tightly regulated by their close microenvironment. It has been shown that Wnt signaling pathway is crucial for LSCs regulation. Previous differential gene profiling studies confirmed the preferential expression of specific Wnt ligands (WNT2, WNT6, WNT11, WNT16) and Wnt inhibitors (DKK1, SFRP5, WIF1, FRZB) in the limbal region compared to the cornea. Among all frizzled receptors, frizzled7 (Fzd7) was found to be preferentially expressed in the basal limbal epithelium. However, the exact localization of Wnt signaling molecules-producing cells in the limbus remains unknown. The current study aims to evaluate the in situ spatial expression of these 4 Wnt ligands, 4 Wnt inhibitors, and Fzd7. Wnt ligands, DKK1, and Fzd7 expression were scattered within the limbal epithelium, at a higher abundance in the basal layer than the superficial layer. SFRP5 expression was diffuse among the limbal epithelium, whereas WIF1 and FRZB expression was clustered at the basal limbal epithelial layer corresponding to the areas of high levels of Fzd7 expression. Quantitation of the fluorescence intensity showed that all 4 Wnt ligands, 3 Wnt inhibitors (WIF1, DKK1, FRZB), and Fzd7 were highly expressed at the basal layer of the limbus, then in a decreasing gradient toward the superficial layer (P < 0.05). The expression levels of all 4 Wnt ligands, FRZB, and Fzd7 in the basal epithelial layer were higher in the limbus than the central cornea (P < 0.05). All 4 Wnt ligands, 4 Wnt inhibitors, and Fzd7 were also highly expressed in the limbal stroma immediately below the epithelium but not in the corneal stroma (P < 0.05). In addition, Fzd7 had a preferential expression in the superior limbus compared to other limbal quadrants (P < 0.05). Taken together, the unique expression patterns of the Wnt molecules in the limbus suggests the involvement of both paracrine and autocrine effects in LSCs regulation, and a fine balance between Wnt activators and inhibitors to govern LSC fate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clémence Bonnet
- Stein Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; INSERM, UMRS1138, Team 17, From Physiopathology of Ocular Diseases to Clinical Development, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Paris University, And Cornea Departement, Cochin Hospital, AP-HP, F-75014, Paris, France
| | - Maxime Ruiz
- Stein Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Sheyla Gonzalez
- Stein Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Chi-Hong Tseng
- David Geffen School of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine and Health Services Research, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Jean-Louis Bourges
- INSERM, UMRS1138, Team 17, From Physiopathology of Ocular Diseases to Clinical Development, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Paris University, And Cornea Departement, Cochin Hospital, AP-HP, F-75014, Paris, France
| | - Francine Behar-Cohen
- INSERM, UMRS1138, Team 17, From Physiopathology of Ocular Diseases to Clinical Development, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Paris University, And Cornea Departement, Cochin Hospital, AP-HP, F-75014, Paris, France
| | - Sophie X Deng
- Stein Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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Lu ZJ, Ye JG, Wang DL, Li MK, Zhang QK, Liu Z, Huang YJ, Pan CN, Lin YH, Shi ZX, Zheng YF. Integrative Single-Cell RNA-Seq and ATAC-Seq Analysis of Mouse Corneal Epithelial Cells. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2023; 64:30. [PMID: 36943152 PMCID: PMC10043503 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.64.3.30] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Corneal epithelial homeostasis is maintained by coordinated gene expression across distinct cell populations, but the gene regulatory programs underlying this cellular diversity remain to be characterized. Here we applied single-cell multi-omics analysis to delineate the gene regulatory profile of mouse corneal epithelial cells under normal homeostasis. Methods Single cells isolated from the cornea epithelium (with marginal conjunctiva) of adult mice were subjected to scRNA-seq and scATAC-seq using the 10×Genomics platform. Cell types were clustered by the graph-based visualization method uniform manifold approximation and projection and unbiased computational informatics analysis. The scRNA-seq and scATAC-seq datasets were integrated following the integration pipeline described in ArchR and Seurat. Results We characterized diverse corneal epithelial cell types based on gene expression signatures and chromatin accessibility. We found that cell type-specific accessibility regions were mainly located at distal regions, suggesting essential roles of distal regulatory elements in determining corneal epithelial cell diversity. Trajectory analyses revealed a continuum of cell state transition and higher coordination between transcription factor (TF) motif accessibility and gene expression during corneal epithelial cell differentiation. By integrating transcriptomic and chromatin accessibility analysis, we identified cell type-specific and shared gene regulation programs. We also uncovered critical TFs driving corneal epithelial cell differentiation, such as nuclear factor I (NFI) family members, Rarg, Elf3. We found that nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) family members were positive TFs in limbal cells and some superficial cells, but they were involved in regulating distinct biological processes. Conclusions Our study presents a comprehensive gene regulatory landscape of mouse cornea epithelial cells, and provides valuable foundations for future investigation of corneal epithelial homeostasis in the context of cornea pathologies and regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao-Jing Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
- Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory, Guangzhou, China
- Research Unit of Ocular Development and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, China
| | - Jin-Guo Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Dong-Liang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Meng-Ke Li
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qi-Kai Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yan-Jing Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Cai-Neng Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yu-Heng Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhuo-Xing Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ying-Feng Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
- Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory, Guangzhou, China
- Research Unit of Ocular Development and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, China
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A Novel Technique of Amniotic Membrane Preparation Mimicking Limbal Epithelial Crypts Enhances the Number of Progenitor Cells upon Expansion. Cells 2023; 12:cells12050738. [PMID: 36899873 PMCID: PMC10001367 DOI: 10.3390/cells12050738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023] Open
Abstract
We aimed to investigate whether a novel technique of human amniotic membrane (HAM) preparation that mimics the crypts in the limbus enhances the number of progenitor cells cultured ex vivo. The HAMs were sutured on polyester membrane (1) standardly, to obtain a flat HAM surface, or (2) loosely, achieving the radial folding to mimic crypts in the limbus. Immunohistochemistry was used to demonstrate a higher number of cells positive for progenitor markers p63α (37.56 ± 3.34% vs. 62.53 ± 3.32%, p = 0.01) and SOX9 (35.53 ± 0.96% vs. 43.23 ± 2.32%, p = 0.04), proliferation marker Ki-67 (8.43 ± 0.38 % vs. 22.38 ± 1.95 %, p = 0.002) in the crypt-like HAMs vs. flat HAMs, while no difference was found for the quiescence marker CEBPD (22.99 ± 2.96% vs. 30.49 ± 3.33 %, p = 0.17). Most of the cells stained negative for the corneal epithelial differentiation marker KRT3/12, and some were positive for N-cadherin in the crypt-like structures, but there was no difference in staining for E-cadherin and CX43 in crypt-like HAMs vs. flat HAMs. This novel HAM preparation method enhanced the number of progenitor cells expanded in the crypt-like HAM compared to cultures on the conventional flat HAM.
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Oie Y, Sugita S, Yokokura S, Nakazawa T, Tomida D, Satake Y, Shimazaki J, Hara Y, Shiraishi A, Quantock AJ, Ogasawara T, Inoie M, Nishida K. Clinical Trial of Autologous Cultivated Limbal Epithelial Cell Sheet Transplantation for Patients with Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency. Ophthalmology 2023; 130:608-614. [PMID: 36736434 DOI: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2023.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE OR PURPOSE To confirm the efficacy and safety of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)-compliant autologous cultivated limbal epithelial cell sheets in government-controlled clinical trials that adhered to Good Clinical Practice stipulations for patients with unilateral limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD). DESIGN A prospective, multi-center, open-label, uncontrolled, single-arm clinical trial. SUBJECTS, PARTICIPANTS OR CONTROLS Ten consecutive eyes of 10 patients with unilateral LSCD were followed for two years after surgery. Preoperative LSCD stage was IIB in four eyes and III in six eyes. METHODS A limbal tissue biopsy was obtained from the healthy eye, after which limbal stem cells were dissociated and cultivated on temperature-responsive culture surfaces. All cell sheets were fabricated in a GMP-grade facility under established standard operating procedures. Cell sheets were evaluated using defined shipment criteria before transplantation, and only those that met the criteria were used. The cell sheet was transplanted onto each of the patients' diseased eye after removing the conjunctival scar tissue that covered the corneal surface. The severity of LSCD was determined according to a staging method agreed upon by global consensus, with eyes evaluated as being in stages IA-C representing successful corneal epithelial reconstruction. LSCD diagnosis and staging were determined by the trial's Eligibility Judgment Committee and Effect Assessment Committee using slit-lamp photographs including fluorescein staining. Both committees comprised two or three third-party cornea specialists, who were provided with information anonymously and randomly. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Corneal epithelial reconstruction rate was the primary endpoint. RESULTS Corneal epithelial reconstruction was successful in six of 10 eyes (60%) one year postoperatively and was significantly higher than the 15% clinically significant efficacy rate achieved by allogeneic limbal transplantation. The reconstruction rate was 70% of eyes two years postoperatively. Additionally, improvements in visual acuity were noted in 50% and 60% of eyes at one and two years, respectively. No clinically significant transplantation-related adverse events were observed. CONCLUSION The efficacy and safety of cultivated limbal epithelial cell sheet transplantation were thus confirmed, and the cell sheet, named Nepic, is now approved as a Cellular and Tissue-Based Product in Japan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshinori Oie
- Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine; Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | | | - Shunji Yokokura
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine; Sendai 980-8574, Japan
| | - Toru Nakazawa
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine; Sendai 980-8574, Japan
| | - Daisuke Tomida
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tokyo Dental College, Ichikawa General Hospital; Chiba 272-8513, Japan
| | - Yoshiyuki Satake
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tokyo Dental College, Ichikawa General Hospital; Chiba 272-8513, Japan
| | - Jun Shimazaki
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tokyo Dental College, Ichikawa General Hospital; Chiba 272-8513, Japan
| | - Yuko Hara
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine; Toon 791-0295, Japan
| | - Atsushi Shiraishi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine; Toon 791-0295, Japan
| | - Andrew J Quantock
- School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Cardiff University; Cardiff CF24 4HQ, Wales, United Kingdom
| | | | - Masukazu Inoie
- Japan Tissue Engineering Co, Ltd; Gamagori 443-0022, Japan
| | - Kohji Nishida
- Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine; Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
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PAX6 Expression Patterns in the Adult Human Limbal Stem Cell Niche. Cells 2023; 12:cells12030400. [PMID: 36766742 PMCID: PMC9913671 DOI: 10.3390/cells12030400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Paired box 6 (PAX6), a nuclear transcription factor, determines the fate of limbal epithelial progenitor cells (LEPC) and maintains epithelial cell identity. However, the expression of PAX6 in limbal niche cells, primarily mesenchymal stromal cells (LMSC), and melanocytes is scarce and not entirely clear. To distinctly assess the PAX6 expression in limbal niche cells, fresh and organ-cultured human corneoscleral tissues were stained immunohistochemically. Furthermore, the expression of PAX6 in cultured limbal cells was investigated. Immunostaining revealed the presence of PAX6-negative cells which were positive for vimentin and the melanocyte markers Melan-A and human melanoma black-45 in the basal layer of the limbal epithelium. PAX6 staining was not observed in the limbal stroma. Moreover, the expression of PAX6 was observed by Western blot in cultured LEPC but not in cultured LMSC or LM. These data indicate a restriction of PAX6 expression to limbal epithelial cells at the limbal stem cell niche. These observations warrant further studies for the presence of other PAX isoforms in the limbal stem cell niche.
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Wang B, Guo H, Liu D, Wu S, Liu J, Lan X, Huang H, An F, Zhu J, Ji J, Wang L, Ouyang H, Li M. ETS1-HMGA2 Axis Promotes Human Limbal Epithelial Stem Cell Proliferation. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2023; 64:12. [PMID: 36652264 PMCID: PMC9855287 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.64.1.12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose This study aimed to investigate the role and molecular mechanism of ETS1 in the proliferation and differentiation of human limbal epithelial stem cells (LESCs). Methods RNA-seq and quantitative real-time PCR were used to determine gene expression changes when ETS1 and HMGA2 was knocked down using short-hairpin RNAs or overexpressed by lentivirus. Immunofluorescence and flow cytometry experiments were performed to assess the roles of ETS1 and HMGA2 in LESC proliferation. ETS1-bound cis-regulatory elements and target genes in LESCs were identified using chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing. The epigenetic features of ETS1-binding sites were assessed by the published histone modification and chromatin accessibility profiles. Results ETS1 was robustly expressed in LESCs but dramatically reduced on differentiation into corneal epithelial cells (CECs). ETS1 knockdown in LESCs inhibited cellular proliferation and activated CEC markers (KRT3, KRT12, CLU, and ALDH3A1). When ETS1 was overexpressed during CEC differentiation, LESC-associated genes were upregulated while CEC-associated genes were downregulated. The genome-wide binding profile of ETS1 was identified in LESCs. ETS1 occupied H3K4me3-marked promoters and H3K27ac/H3K4me1-marked enhancers. ETS1-binding sites were also enriched for chromatin accessibility signal. HMGA2 showed a consistent expression pattern with ETS1. ETS1 activates HMAG2 by binding to its promoter. Knockdown and overexpression experiments suggested that HMGA2 can promote LESC proliferation and inhibits its differentiation. Conclusions ETS1 promotes LESC proliferation and inhibits its differentiation via activating HMGA2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bofeng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huizhen Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Dongmei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Siqi Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiafeng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xihong Lan
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huaxing Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fengjiao An
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jin Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jianping Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Li Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hong Ouyang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mingsen Li
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
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Soleimani M, Cheraqpour K, Koganti R, Baharnoori SM, Djalilian AR. Concise Review: Bioengineering of Limbal Stem Cell Niche. Bioengineering (Basel) 2023; 10:111. [PMID: 36671683 PMCID: PMC9855097 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering10010111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 01/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The corneal epithelium is composed of nonkeratinized stratified squamous cells and has a significant turnover rate. Limbal integrity is vital to maintain the clarity and avascularity of the cornea as well as regeneration of the corneal epithelium. Limbal epithelial stem cells (LESCs) are located in the basal epithelial layer of the limbus and preserve this homeostasis. Proper functioning of LESCs is dependent on a specific microenvironment, known as the limbal stem cell niche (LSCN). This structure is made up of various cells, an extracellular matrix (ECM), and signaling molecules. Different etiologies may damage the LSCN, leading to limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD), which is characterized by conjunctivalization of the cornea. In this review, we first summarize the basics of the LSCN and then focus on current and emerging bioengineering strategies for LSCN restoration to combat LSCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Soleimani
- Eye Research Center, Farabi Eye Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1336616351, Iran
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Kasra Cheraqpour
- Eye Research Center, Farabi Eye Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1336616351, Iran
| | - Raghuram Koganti
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Seyed Mahbod Baharnoori
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Ali R. Djalilian
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
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