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Suanno G, Genna VG, Maurizi E, Dieh AA, Griffith M, Ferrari G. Cell therapy in the cornea: The emerging role of microenvironment. Prog Retin Eye Res 2024; 102:101275. [PMID: 38797320 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2024.101275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
The cornea is an ideal testing field for cell therapies. Its highly ordered structure, where specific cell populations are sequestered in different layers, together with its accessibility, has allowed the development of the first stem cell-based therapy approved by the European Medicine Agency. Today, different techniques have been proposed for autologous and allogeneic limbal and non-limbal cell transplantation. Cell replacement has also been attempted in cases of endothelial cell decompensation as it occurs in Fuchs dystrophy: injection of cultivated allogeneic endothelial cells is now in advanced phases of clinical development. Recently, stromal substitutes have been developed with excellent integration capability and transparency. Finally, cell-derived products, such as exosomes obtained from different sources, have been investigated for the treatment of severe corneal diseases with encouraging results. Optimization of the success rate of cell therapies obviously requires high-quality cultured cells/products, but the role of the surrounding microenvironment is equally important to allow engraftment of transplanted cells, to preserve their functions and, ultimately, lead to restoration of tissue integrity and transparency of the cornea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Suanno
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy; Eye Repair Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Eleonora Maurizi
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine ''S. Ferrari'', University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Anas Abu Dieh
- Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - May Griffith
- Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
| | - Giulio Ferrari
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy; Eye Repair Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy; Ophthalmology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
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2
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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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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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Zhang W, Huang H, Liu X, Zhang L, Li L, Ding Y, Xiao Y, Ali MJ, Sun H, Xiao C. scRNA-Seq: First Atlas and Cellular Landscape of Lacrimal Sac: Implications in Primary Acquired Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction Pathogenesis. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2024; 65:38. [PMID: 38551583 PMCID: PMC10981439 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.65.3.38] [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: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose The aim of this study was to describe the transcriptional changes of individual cellular components in the lacrimal sac in patients with primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction (PANDO) and attempt to construct the first lacrimal sac cellular atlas to elucidate the potential mechanisms that may drive the disease pathogenesis. Methods Lacrimal sac samples were obtained intra-operatively during the endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (EnDCR) procedure from five patients. Single-cell RNA sequencing was performed to analyze each individual cell population including epithelial and immune cells during the early inflammatory and late inflammatory phases of the disease. Results Eleven cell types were identified among 25,791 cells. T cells and B cells were the cell populations with the greatest variation in cell numbers between the two phases and were involved in immune response and epithelium migration-related pathways. The present study showed that epithelial cells highly expressed the genes of senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) and were involved in influencing the inflammation, neutrophil chemotaxis, and migration during the late inflammatory stage. Enhanced activity of CXCLs-CXCRs between the epithelial cells and neutrophils was noted by the cell-cell communication analysis and is suspected to play a role in inflammation by recruiting more neutrophils. Conclusions The study presents a comprehensive single-cell landscape of the lacrimal sac cells in different phases of PANDO. The contribution of T cells, B cells, and epithelial cells to the inflammatory response, and construction of the intercellular signaling networks between the cells within the lacrimal sac has further enhanced the present understanding of the PANDO pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenyue Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
| | - Huan Huang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tissue Microenvironment and Tumor, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Xueru Liu
- Ophthalmic Center, Xinjiang 474 Hospital, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Leilei Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
| | - Lunhao Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Ding
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
| | - Yichuan Xiao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tissue Microenvironment and Tumor, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Mohammad Javed Ali
- Govindram Seksaria Institute of Dacryology, L.V. Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India
| | - Hao Sun
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
| | - Caiwen Xiao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
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Woronkowicz M, Roberts H, Skopiński P. The Role of Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF) System in the Corneal Epithelium Homeostasis-From Limbal Epithelial Stem Cells to Therapeutic Applications. BIOLOGY 2024; 13:144. [PMID: 38534414 DOI: 10.3390/biology13030144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2023] [Revised: 02/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
The corneal epithelium, comprising three layers of cells, represents the outermost portion of the eye and functions as a vital protective barrier while concurrently serving as a critical refractive structure. Maintaining its homeostasis involves a complex regenerative process facilitated by the functions of the lacrimal gland, tear film, and corneal nerves. Crucially, limbal epithelial stem cells located in the limbus (transitional zone between the cornea and the conjunctiva) are instrumental for the corneal epithelium integrity by replenishing and renewing cells. Re-epithelialization failure results in persistent defects, often associated with various ocular conditions including diabetic keratopathy. The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system is a sophisticated network of insulin and other proteins essential for numerous physiological processes. This review examines its role in maintaining the corneal epithelium homeostasis, with a special focus on the interplay with corneal limbal stem cells and the potential therapeutic applications of the system components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Małgorzata Woronkowicz
- NDDH, Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Barnstaple EX31 4JB, UK
- Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, 162 City Road, London EC1V 2PD, UK
| | - Harry Roberts
- West of England Eye Unit, Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Exeter EX2 5DW, UK
- University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter EX1 2HZ, UK
| | - Piotr Skopiński
- Department of Ophthalmology, SPKSO Ophthalmic University Hospital, Medical University of Warsaw, 00-576 Warsaw, Poland
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-004 Warsaw, Poland
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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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7
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Bonnet C, González S, Deng SX. Ocular Surface Regeneration by Limbal Stem Cells Therapies: State of the Art, Challenges, and Perspectives. Stem Cells Transl Med 2023; 12:714-719. [PMID: 37715946 PMCID: PMC10630076 DOI: 10.1093/stcltm/szad058] [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: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Limbal stem cells (LSCs) are adult stem cells located at the limbus ensuring the continuous renewal of the corneal epithelium, critical to maintain an optimal visual function. Damages to the LSCs or their niche microenvironment lead to limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD), a potentially blinding disease. Transplantation of LSCs as a treatment for severe to total LSCD has gained popularity since 1980s, owing to the clinical success of the first direct limbal autograft transplantation. Recent advances in the understanding of the LSCs' molecular identity and regulation have enabled preclinical and clinical advancements of promising LSCs therapies. However, lack of standardization of the diagnostic methods, staging of the disease severity, manufacturing process, and clinical outcome measures have hindered the advancement of the therapy. To move these therapies to the clinic, optimization and standardization of the diagnostic strategy, cell product manufacturing, and assessment of clinical efficacy with potency assays are key points to the development of customized therapies. Recent findings suggest that residual LSCs exist in eyes presenting with clinical signs of total LSCD, which opens new therapeutic strategies for eyes with partial LSCD. Prospective, randomized, multicentric controlled clinical trials are necessary to determine the efficacy of different LSCs therapies for different stages of LSCD using a set of standardized outcome measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clémence Bonnet
- Stein Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Ophthalmology Department, Cochin Hospital and Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Sheyla González
- Stein Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Sophie X Deng
- Stein Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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8
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Ahsanuddin S, Wu AY. Single-cell transcriptomics of the ocular anterior segment: a comprehensive review. Eye (Lond) 2023; 37:3334-3350. [PMID: 37138096 PMCID: PMC10156079 DOI: 10.1038/s41433-023-02539-3] [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: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Elucidating the cellular and genetic composition of ocular tissues is essential for uncovering the pathophysiology of ocular diseases. Since the introduction of single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) in 2009, vision researchers have performed extensive single-cell analyses to better understand transcriptome complexity and heterogeneity of ocular structures. This technology has revolutionized our ability to identify rare cell populations and to make cross-species comparisons of gene expression in both steady state and disease conditions. Importantly, single-cell transcriptomic analyses have enabled the identification of cell-type specific gene markers and signalling pathways between ocular cell populations. While most scRNA-seq studies have been conducted on retinal tissues, large-scale transcriptomic atlases pertaining to the ocular anterior segment have also been constructed in the past three years. This timely review provides vision researchers with an overview of scRNA-seq experimental design, technical limitations, and clinical applications in a variety of anterior segment-related ocular pathologies. We review open-access anterior segment-related scRNA-seq datasets and illustrate how scRNA-seq can be an indispensable tool for the development of targeted therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Ahsanuddin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai, New York City, NY, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Albert Y Wu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
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Kauppila M, Mörö A, Valle-Delgado JJ, Ihalainen T, Sukki L, Puistola P, Kallio P, Ilmarinen T, Österberg M, Skottman H. Toward Corneal Limbus In Vitro Model: Regulation of hPSC-LSC Phenotype by Matrix Stiffness and Topography During Cell Differentiation Process. Adv Healthc Mater 2023; 12:e2301396. [PMID: 37449943 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202301396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
A functional limbal epithelial stem cells (LSC) niche is a vital element in the regular renewal of the corneal epithelium by LSCs and maintenance of good vision. However, little is known about its unique structure and mechanical properties on LSC regulation, creating a significant gap in development of LSC-based therapies. Herein, the effect of mechanical and architectural elements of the niche on human pluripotent derived LSCs (hPSC-LSC) phenotype and growth is investigated in vitro. Specifically, three formulations of polyacrylamide gels with different controlled stiffnesses are used for culture and characterization of hPSC-LSCs from different stages of differentiation. In addition, limbal mimicking topography in polydimethylsiloxane is utilized for culturing hPSC-LSCs at early time point of differentiation. For comparison, the expression of selected key proteins of the corneal cells is analyzed in their native environment through whole mount staining of human donor corneas. The results suggest that mechanical response and substrate preference of the cells is highly dependent on their developmental stage. In addition, data indicate that cells may carry possible mechanical memory from previous culture matrix, both highlighting the importance of mechanical design of a functional in vitro limbus model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maija Kauppila
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, 33520, Finland
| | - Anni Mörö
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, 33520, Finland
| | - Juan José Valle-Delgado
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, Espoo, 02150, Finland
| | - Teemu Ihalainen
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, 33520, Finland
| | - Lassi Sukki
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, 33520, Finland
| | - Paula Puistola
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, 33520, Finland
| | - Pasi Kallio
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, 33520, Finland
| | - Tanja Ilmarinen
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, 33520, Finland
| | - Monika Österberg
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, Espoo, 02150, Finland
| | - Heli Skottman
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, 33520, Finland
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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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11
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Li W, Gurdziel K, Pitchaikannu A, Gupta N, Hazlett LD, Xu S. The miR-183/96/182 cluster is a checkpoint for resident immune cells and shapes the cellular landscape of the cornea. Ocul Surf 2023; 30:17-41. [PMID: 37536656 PMCID: PMC10834862 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtos.2023.07.012] [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: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The conserved miR-183/96/182 cluster (miR-183C) regulates both corneal sensory innervation and corneal resident immune cells (CRICs). This study is to uncover its role in CRICs and in shaping the corneal cellular landscape at a single-cell (sc) level. METHODS Corneas of naïve, young adult [2 and 6 months old (mo)], female miR-183C knockout (KO) mice and wild-type (WT) littermates were harvested and dissociated into single cells. Dead cells were removed using a Dead Cell Removal kit. CD45+ CRICs were enriched by Magnetic Activated Cell Sorting (MACS). scRNA libraries were constructed and sequenced followed by comprehensive bioinformatic analyses. RESULTS The composition of major cell types of the cornea stays relatively stable in WT mice from 2 to 6 mo, however the compositions of subtypes of corneal cells shift with age. Inactivation of miR-183C disrupts the stability of the major cell-type composition and age-related transcriptomic shifts of subtypes of corneal cells. The diversity of CRICs is enhanced with age. Naïve mouse cornea contains previously-unrecognized resident fibrocytes and neutrophils. Resident macrophages (ResMφ) adopt cornea-specific function by expressing abundant extracellular matrix (ECM) and ECM organization-related genes. Naïve cornea is endowed with partially-differentiated proliferative ResMφ and contains microglia-like Mφ. Resident lymphocytes, including innate lymphoid cells (ILCs), NKT and γδT cells, are the major source of innate IL-17a. miR-183C limits the diversity and polarity of ResMφ. CONCLUSION miR-183C serves as a checkpoint for CRICs and imposes a global regulation of the cellular landscape of the cornea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weifeng Li
- Predoctoral Training Program in Human Genetics, McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Department of Genetic Medicine, USA; Wilmer Eye Institute, School of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Ahalya Pitchaikannu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Naman Gupta
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Linda D Hazlett
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Shunbin Xu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA.
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12
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Liu X, Zhang S, Mao Y, Lin S, Wu H, Ou S. Optimization of method for achieving a single-cell suspension from mouse corneas. Exp Eye Res 2023:109544. [PMID: 37336469 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2023.109544] [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: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 05/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
The single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) technique is used to explore the biological characteristics of tissues under pathological and physiological conditions that include certain chronic eye diseases. Harvesting of single-cell suspensions is one challenge inherent to scRNA-seq procedures. This study aimed to use an optimized method to digest a whole mouse cornea to harvest single-cell suspensions. We utilized five different mouse cornea digestion methods to obtain single-cell suspensions: (1) 5 dissected mouse corneas were cut into pieces (∼0.5 mm) and digested in trypsin for 10 min, and this digestion was repeated for 10 cycles; (2) 5 dissected mouse corneas were cut into pieces and incubated with 5 mg/ml collagenase A at 37 °C for 1h and then further digested in trypsin at 37 °C for 10 min; (3) used the same approach as that used in method 2, but the second digestion step was performed in TrypLE for 20 min; (4) used the same approach as that used in method 2, but the concentration of collagenase A was 2 mg/ml and the incubation time was 2h; (5) used the same approach as that used in method 3, but the corneas were incubated in 2 mg/ml collagenase A at 37 °C for 2h. Trypan blue staining was used to calculate the cell viability and agglomeration rate. The cell types and percentages were determined using immunofluorescence staining. RNA integrity number (RIN) was measured by Agilent 2100. Method 1 showed the lowest cell yield (0.375 × 105), epithelial cell percentage, and less than 70% cell viability, thus not a proper protocol. Method 2 showed the highest cell viability (over 90%), percentage of single-cell (89.53%), and high cell quantity (1.05 × 105). Method 3 had a significantly lower cell viability (55.30%). Cell agglomeration rates of method 4 and 5 reached up to 20% and 13%, and with lower cell viability (72.51%, 59.87%, respectively) and decreased epithelial cell rate compared to method 2 and 3. The results suggest that method 2 (5 mg/ml collagenase A and trypsin) is a preferred protocol for digesting mouse cornea to obtain single-cell suspension which achieves the criterion of single-cell RNA sequencing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaodong Liu
- Eye Institute and Affiliated Xiamen Eye Center of Xiamen University, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Cornea & Ocular Surface Diseases, Xiamen, Fujian, 361002, China; School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361002, China; Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Xiamen, Fujian, 361002, China
| | - Shengpeng Zhang
- Eye Institute and Affiliated Xiamen Eye Center of Xiamen University, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Cornea & Ocular Surface Diseases, Xiamen, Fujian, 361002, China; School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361002, China; Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Xiamen, Fujian, 361002, China
| | - Yi Mao
- The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 350000, Guizhou, China; Eye Institute and Affiliated Xiamen Eye Center of Xiamen University, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Cornea & Ocular Surface Diseases, Xiamen, Fujian, 361002, China; School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361002, China
| | - Sijie Lin
- Eye Institute and Affiliated Xiamen Eye Center of Xiamen University, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Cornea & Ocular Surface Diseases, Xiamen, Fujian, 361002, China
| | - Huping Wu
- Eye Institute and Affiliated Xiamen Eye Center of Xiamen University, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Cornea & Ocular Surface Diseases, Xiamen, Fujian, 361002, China; School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361002, China; Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Xiamen, Fujian, 361002, China.
| | - Shangkun Ou
- The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 350000, Guizhou, China; Eye Institute and Affiliated Xiamen Eye Center of Xiamen University, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Cornea & Ocular Surface Diseases, Xiamen, Fujian, 361002, China; School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361002, China; Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Xiamen, Fujian, 361002, China.
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13
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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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14
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Delcroix V, Mauduit O, Lee HS, Ivanova A, Umazume T, Knox SM, de Paiva CS, Dartt DA, Makarenkova HP. The First Transcriptomic Atlas of the Adult Lacrimal Gland Reveals Epithelial Complexity and Identifies Novel Progenitor Cells in Mice. Cells 2023; 12:1435. [PMID: 37408269 PMCID: PMC10216974 DOI: 10.3390/cells12101435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 05/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The lacrimal gland (LG) secretes aqueous tears. Previous studies have provided insights into the cell lineage relationships during tissue morphogenesis. However, little is known about the cell types composing the adult LG and their progenitors. Using scRNAseq, we established the first comprehensive cell atlas of the adult mouse LG to investigate the cell hierarchy, its secretory repertoire, and the sex differences. Our analysis uncovered the complexity of the stromal landscape. Epithelium subclustering revealed myoepithelial cells, acinar subsets, and two novel acinar subpopulations: Tfrchi and Car6hi cells. The ductal compartment contained Wfdc2+ multilayered ducts and an Ltf+ cluster formed by luminal and intercalated duct cells. Kit+ progenitors were identified as: Krt14+ basal ductal cells, Aldh1a1+ cells of Ltf+ ducts, and Sox10+ cells of the Car6hi acinar and Ltf+ epithelial clusters. Lineage tracing experiments revealed that the Sox10+ adult populations contribute to the myoepithelial, acinar, and ductal lineages. Using scRNAseq data, we found that the postnatally developing LG epithelium harbored key features of putative adult progenitors. Finally, we showed that acinar cells produce most of the sex-biased lipocalins and secretoglobins detected in mouse tears. Our study provides a wealth of new data on LG maintenance and identifies the cellular origin of sex-biased tear components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Delcroix
- Department of Molecular and Experimental Medicine, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; (V.D.); (H.S.L.); (A.I.); (T.U.)
| | - Olivier Mauduit
- Department of Molecular and Experimental Medicine, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; (V.D.); (H.S.L.); (A.I.); (T.U.)
| | - Hyun Soo Lee
- Department of Molecular and Experimental Medicine, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; (V.D.); (H.S.L.); (A.I.); (T.U.)
- Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Republic of Korea
| | - Anastasiia Ivanova
- Department of Molecular and Experimental Medicine, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; (V.D.); (H.S.L.); (A.I.); (T.U.)
| | - Takeshi Umazume
- Department of Molecular and Experimental Medicine, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; (V.D.); (H.S.L.); (A.I.); (T.U.)
| | - Sarah M. Knox
- Department of Cell and Tissue Biology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA;
- Program in Craniofacial Biology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Cintia S. de Paiva
- The Ocular Surface Center, Department of Ophthalmology, Cullen Eye Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
| | - Darlene A. Dartt
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA;
| | - Helen P. Makarenkova
- Department of Molecular and Experimental Medicine, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; (V.D.); (H.S.L.); (A.I.); (T.U.)
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15
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Niu W, Zhang Y, Liu H, Liang N, Xu L, Li Y, Yao W, Shi W, Liu Z. Single-Cell Profiling Uncovers the Roles of Endometrial Fibrosis and Microenvironmental Changes in Adenomyosis. J Inflamm Res 2023; 16:1949-1965. [PMID: 37179754 PMCID: PMC10167994 DOI: 10.2147/jir.s402734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Adenomyosis (AM) is a common benign uterine disorder that has deleterious effects on women's health. However, the pathogenesis of AM is not clearly understood. We aimed to investigate the pathophysiological changes and molecular mechanism in AM. Methods Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) was employed to construct a transcriptomic atlas of various cell subsets from the ectopic endometrium (EC) and eutopic endometrium (EM) of one AM patient and evaluate differential expression. The Cell Ranger software pipeline (version 4.0.0) was applied to conduct sample demultiplexing, barcode processing and mapping reads to the reference genome (human GRCh38). Different cell types were classified with markers with the "FindAllMarkers" function, and differential gene expression analysis was performed with Seurat software in R. The findings were confirmed by Reverse Transcription Real-Time PCR using samples from three AM patients. Results We identified nine cell types: endothelial cells, epithelial cells, myoepithelial cells, smooth muscle cells, fibroblasts, lymphocytes, mast cells, macrophages and unknown cells. A number of differentially expressed genes, including CLO4A1, MMP1, TPM2 and CXCL8, were identified from all cell types. Functional enrichment showed that aberrant gene expression in fibroblasts and immune cells was related to fibrosis-associated terms, such as extracellular matrix dysregulation, focal adhesion and the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. We also identified fibroblast subtypes and determined a potential developmental trajectory related to AM. In addition, we identified increased cell-cell communication patterns in EC, highlighting the imbalanced microenvironment in AM progression. Conclusion Our results support the theory of endometrial-myometrial interface disruption for AM, and repeated tissue injury and repair could lead to increased fibrosis in the endometrium. Therefore, the present study reveals the association between fibrosis, the microenvironment, and AM pathogenesis. This study provides insight into the molecular mechanisms regulating AM progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weipin Niu
- Central Laboratory, The Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, People’s Republic of China
- Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yinuo Zhang
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hongyun Liu
- Department of Gynecology, Linyi Central Hospital, Linyi, People’s Republic of China
| | - Na Liang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Li Xu
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yalin Li
- First College of Clinical Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wei Yao
- Department of Gynecology, The Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wei Shi
- Department of Gynecology, The Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhiyong Liu
- Central Laboratory, The Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, People’s Republic of China
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16
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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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17
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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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18
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Ma B, Zhou Y, Hu Y, Duan H, Sun Z, Wang P, Li W, Han W, Qi H. Mapping Resident Immune Cells in the Murine Ocular Surface and Lacrimal Gland by Flow Cytometry. Ocul Immunol Inflamm 2023; 31:748-759. [PMID: 36867079 DOI: 10.1080/09273948.2023.2182327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The ocular surface and lacrimal gland have a frontline position in mucosal immunology. However, there have been few updates to the immune cell atlas of these tissues in recent years. PURPOSE To map the immune cells in murine ocular surface tissues and lacrimal gland. METHODS Central and peripheral corneas, conjunctiva, and lacrimal gland were dissociated into single cell suspensions, followed by flow cytometry. Discrepancy of immune cells between the central and peripheral corneas was compared. In the conjunctiva and lacrimal gland, myeloid cells were clustered by tSNE and FlowSOM based on the expression of F4/80, Ly6C, Ly6G, and MHC II. ILCs, type 1 immune cells, and type 3 immune cells were analyzed. RESULTS The number of immune cells in peripheral corneas was about 16 folds of that in central corneas. B cells accounted for 8.74% of immune cells in murine peripheral corneas. In the conjunctiva and lacrimal gland, most myeloid cells tended out to be monocytes, macrophages, and classical dendritic cells (cDCs). ILC3 were 6.28% and 3.63% of ILCs in the conjunctiva and lacrimal gland, respectively. Th1, Tc1, and NK cells were predominant type 1 immune cells. γδ T17 cells and ILC3 outnumbered Th17 cells among type 3 T cells. CONCLUSION B cells resident in murine corneas were reported for the first time. Additionally, we proposed a strategy of clustering myeloid cells to better understand their heterogeneity in the conjunctiva and lacrimal gland based on tSNE and FlowSOM. Furthermore, we identified the ILC3 in the conjunctiva and lacrimal gland for the first time. Compositions of type 1 and type 3 immune cells were summarized. Our study provides a fundamental reference and novel insights for ocular surface immune homeostasis and diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baikai Ma
- Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Restoration of Damaged Ocular Nerve, Beijing, China
| | - Yifan Zhou
- Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Restoration of Damaged Ocular Nerve, Beijing, China
| | - Yuzhe Hu
- Department of Immunology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Beijing, China.,Peking University Center for Human Disease Genomics, Beijing, China
| | - Hongyu Duan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Restoration of Damaged Ocular Nerve, Beijing, China
| | - Zhengze Sun
- Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Restoration of Damaged Ocular Nerve, Beijing, China
| | - Pingzhang Wang
- Department of Immunology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Beijing, China.,Peking University Center for Human Disease Genomics, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Li
- Eye Institute of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,Xiang'an Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Xiamen, China
| | - Wenling Han
- Department of Immunology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Beijing, China.,Peking University Center for Human Disease Genomics, Beijing, China
| | - Hong Qi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Restoration of Damaged Ocular Nerve, Beijing, China
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19
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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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20
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Kopecny LR, Lee BWH, Coroneo MT. A systematic review on the effects of ROCK inhibitors on proliferation and/or differentiation in human somatic stem cells: A hypothesis that ROCK inhibitors support corneal endothelial healing via acting on the limbal stem cell niche. Ocul Surf 2023; 27:16-29. [PMID: 36586668 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtos.2022.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2022] [Revised: 12/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Rho kinase inhibitors (ROCKi) have attracted growing multidisciplinary interest, particularly in Ophthalmology where the question as to how they promote corneal endothelial healing remains unresolved. Concurrently, stem cell biology has rapidly progressed in unravelling drivers of stem cell (SC) proliferation and differentiation, where mechanical niche factors and the actin cytoskeleton are increasingly recognized as key players. There is mounting evidence from the study of the peripheral corneal endothelium that supports the likelihood of an internal limbal stem cell niche. The possibility that ROCKi stimulate the endothelial SC niche has not been addressed. Furthermore, there is currently a paucity of data that directly evaluates whether ROCKi promotes corneal endothelial healing by acting on this limbal SC niche located near the transition zone. Therefore, we performed a systematic review examining the effects ROCKi on the proliferation and differentiation of human somatic SC, to provide insight into its effects on various human SC populations. An appraisal of electronic searches of four databases identified 1 in vivo and 58 in vitro studies (36 evaluated proliferation while 53 examined differentiation). Types of SC studied included mesenchymal (n = 32), epithelial (n = 11), epidermal (n = 8), hematopoietic and other (n = 8). The ROCK 1/2 selective inhibitor Y-27632 was used in almost all studies (n = 58), while several studies evaluated ≥2 ROCKi (n = 4) including fasudil, H-1152, and KD025. ROCKi significantly influenced human somatic SC proliferation in 81% of studies (29/36) and SC differentiation in 94% of studies (50/53). The present systemic review highlights that ROCKi are influential in regulating human SC proliferation and differentiation, and provides evidence to support the hypothesis that ROCKi promotes corneal endothelial division and maintenance via acting on the inner limbal SC niche.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lloyd R Kopecny
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
| | - Brendon W H Lee
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Clinical Medicine, University of New South Wales, Level 2 South Wing, Edmund Blacket Building, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, NSW, 2031, Australia
| | - Minas T Coroneo
- Department of Ophthalmology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, Australia
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21
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Lee V, Rompolas P. Corneal regeneration: insights in epithelial stem cell heterogeneity and dynamics. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2022; 77:101981. [PMID: 36084496 PMCID: PMC9938714 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2022.101981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
The discovery of slow-cycling cells at the corneal periphery three decades ago established the limbus as the putative corneal stem cell niche. Since then, studies have underscored the importance of the limbal stem cells in maintaining the health and function of the ocular surface. Advancements in our understanding of stem cell biology have been successfully translated into stem cell therapies for corneal diseases. Here, we review recent developments in mouse genetics, intravital imaging, and single-cell genomics that have revealed an underappreciated complexity of the limbal stem cells, from their molecular identity, function, and interactions with their niche environment. Continued efforts to elucidate stem cell dynamics of this extraordinary tissue are critical for not only understanding stem cell biology but also for advancing therapeutic innovation and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivian Lee
- Department of Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Dermatology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
| | - Panteleimon Rompolas
- Department of Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Dermatology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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22
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Sonam S, Bangru S, Perry KJ, Chembazhi UV, Kalsotra A, Henry JJ. Cellular and molecular profiles of larval and adult Xenopus corneal epithelia resolved at the single-cell level. Dev Biol 2022; 491:13-30. [PMID: 36049533 PMCID: PMC10241109 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2022.08.007] [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: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Corneal Epithelial Stem Cells (CESCs) and their proliferative progeny, the Transit Amplifying Cells (TACs), are responsible for homeostasis and maintaining corneal transparency. Owing to our limited knowledge of cell fates and gene activity within the cornea, the search for unique markers to identify and isolate these cells remains crucial for ocular surface reconstruction. We performed single-cell RNA sequencing of corneal cells from larval and adult stages of Xenopus. Our results indicate that as the cornea develops and matures, there is an increase in cellular diversity, which is accompanied by a substantial shift in transcriptional profile, gene regulatory network and cell-cell communication dynamics. Our data also reveals several novel genes expressed in corneal cells and changes in gene expression during corneal differentiation at both developmental time-points. Importantly, we identify specific basal cell clusters in both the larval and adult cornea that comprise a relatively undifferentiated cell type and express distinct stem cell markers, which we propose are the putative larval and adult CESCs, respectively. This study offers a detailed atlas of single-cell transcriptomes in the frog cornea. In the future, this work will be useful to elucidate the function of novel genes in corneal epithelial homeostasis, wound healing and regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Surabhi Sonam
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL, USA
| | - Sushant Bangru
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL, USA; Cancer Center@Illinois, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL, USA
| | - Kimberly J Perry
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL, USA
| | - Ullas V Chembazhi
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL, USA
| | - Auinash Kalsotra
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL, USA; Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL, USA; Cancer Center@Illinois, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL, USA.
| | - Jonathan J Henry
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL, USA.
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23
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Di Girolamo N, Park M. Cell identity changes in ocular surface Epithelia. Prog Retin Eye Res 2022:101148. [DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2022.101148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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24
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Maiti G, Monteiro de Barros MR, Hu N, Dolgalev I, Roshan M, Foster JW, Tsirigos A, Wahlin KJ, Chakravarti S. Single cell RNA-seq of human cornea organoids identifies cell fates of a developing immature cornea. PNAS NEXUS 2022; 1:pgac246. [PMID: 36712326 PMCID: PMC9802453 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgac246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The cornea is a protective and refractive barrier in the eye crucial for vision. Understanding the human cornea in health, disease, and cell-based treatments can be greatly advanced with cornea organoids developed in culture from induced pluripotent stem cells. While a limited number of studies have investigated the single-cell transcriptomic composition of the human cornea, its organoids have not been examined similarly. Here, we elucidated the transcriptomic cell fate map of 4-month-old human cornea organoids and human donor corneas. The organoids harbor cell clusters that resemble cells of the corneal epithelium, stroma, and endothelium, with subpopulations that capture signatures of early developmental states. Unlike the adult cornea where the largest cell population is stromal, the organoids contain large proportions of epithelial and endothelial-like cells. These corneal organoids offer a 3D model to study corneal diseases and integrated responses of different cell types.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Maiti
- Department of Ophthalmology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, Science Building, Fifth Floor 435 E 30th, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Maithê Rocha Monteiro de Barros
- Department of Ophthalmology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, Science Building, Fifth Floor 435 E 30th, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Nan Hu
- Department of Ophthalmology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, Science Building, Fifth Floor 435 E 30th, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Igor Dolgalev
- Applied Bioinformatics Laboratories, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, Science Building, Eighth Floor, 435 E 30th, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Mona Roshan
- University of California San Diego, ACTRI Building Rm Lower level 3E419, 9452 Medical Center Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - James W Foster
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins school of Medicine, Smith M037, 400 Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Aristotelis Tsirigos
- Applied Bioinformatics Laboratories, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, Science Building, Eighth Floor, 435 E 30th, New York, NY 10016, USA,Department of Pathology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, Science Building, Fifth Floor 435 E 30th, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Karl J Wahlin
- University of California San Diego, ACTRI Building Rm Lower level 3E419, 9452 Medical Center Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
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25
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Masood F, Chang JH, Akbar A, Song A, Hu WY, Azar DT, Rosenblatt MI. Therapeutic Strategies for Restoring Perturbed Corneal Epithelial Homeostasis in Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency: Current Trends and Future Directions. Cells 2022; 11:3247. [PMID: 36291115 PMCID: PMC9600167 DOI: 10.3390/cells11203247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Limbal stem cells constitute an important cell population required for regeneration of the corneal epithelium. If insults to limbal stem cells or their niche are sufficiently severe, a disease known as limbal stem cell deficiency occurs. In the absence of functioning limbal stem cells, vision-compromising conjunctivalization of the corneal epithelium occurs, leading to opacification, inflammation, neovascularization, and chronic scarring. Limbal stem cell transplantation is the standard treatment for unilateral cases of limbal stem cell deficiency, but bilateral cases require allogeneic transplantation. Herein we review the current therapeutic utilization of limbal stem cells. We also describe several limbal stem cell markers that impact their phenotype and function and discuss the possibility of modulating limbal stem cells and other sources of stem cells to facilitate the development of novel therapeutic interventions. We finally consider several hurdles for widespread adoption of these proposed methodologies and discuss how they can be overcome to realize vision-restoring interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faisal Masood
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Jin-Hong Chang
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Anosh Akbar
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Amy Song
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Wen-Yang Hu
- Department of Urology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Dimitri T. Azar
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Mark I. Rosenblatt
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
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26
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van Zyl T, Yan W, McAdams AM, Monavarfeshani A, Hageman GS, Sanes JR. Cell atlas of the human ocular anterior segment: Tissue-specific and shared cell types. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2200914119. [PMID: 35858321 PMCID: PMC9303934 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2200914119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The anterior segment of the eye consists of the cornea, iris, ciliary body, crystalline lens, and aqueous humor outflow pathways. Together, these tissues are essential for the proper functioning of the eye. Disorders of vision have been ascribed to defects in all of them; some disorders, including glaucoma and cataract, are among the most prevalent causes of blindness in the world. To characterize the cell types that compose these tissues, we generated an anterior segment cell atlas of the human eye using high-throughput single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNAseq). We profiled 195,248 nuclei from nondiseased anterior segment tissues of six human donors, identifying >60 cell types. Many of these cell types were discrete, whereas others, especially in the lens and cornea, formed continua corresponding to known developmental transitions that persist in adulthood. Having profiled each tissue separately, we performed an integrated analysis of the entire anterior segment, revealing that some cell types are unique to a single structure, whereas others are shared across tissues. The integrated cell atlas was then used to investigate cell type-specific expression patterns of more than 900 human ocular disease genes identified through either Mendelian inheritance patterns or genome-wide association studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tavé van Zyl
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
- Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
| | - Wenjun Yan
- Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
| | - Alexi M. McAdams
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
- Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
| | - Aboozar Monavarfeshani
- Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
- Boston Children’s Hospital, F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Gregory S. Hageman
- Sharon Eccles Steele Center for Translational Medicine, John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84132
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84132
| | - Joshua R. Sanes
- Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
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27
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Single-cell atlas of keratoconus corneas revealed aberrant transcriptional signatures and implicated mechanical stretch as a trigger for keratoconus pathogenesis. Cell Discov 2022; 8:66. [PMID: 35821117 PMCID: PMC9276680 DOI: 10.1038/s41421-022-00397-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Keratoconus is a common ectatic corneal disorder in adolescents and young adults that can lead to progressive visual impairment or even legal blindness. Despite the high prevalence, its etiology is not fully understood. In this study, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-Seq) analysis on 39,214 cells from central corneas of patients with keratoconus and healthy individuals, to define the involvement of each cell type during disease progression. We confirmed the central role of corneal stromal cells in this disease, where dysregulation of collagen and extracellular matrix (ECM) occurred. Differential gene expression and histological analyses revealed two potential novel markers for keratoconus stromal cells, namely CTSD and CTSK. Intriguingly, we detected elevated levels of YAP1 and TEAD1, the master regulators of biomechanical homeostasis, in keratoconus stromal cells. Cyclical mechanical experiments implicated the mechanical stretch in prompting protease production in corneal stromal cells during keratoconus progression. In the epithelial cells of keratoconus corneas, we observed reduced basal cells and abnormally differentiated superficial cells, unraveling the corneal epithelial lesions that were usually neglected in clinical diagnosis. In addition, several elevated cytokines in immune cells of keratoconus samples supported the involvement of inflammatory response in the progression of keratoconus. Finally, we revealed the dysregulated cell-cell communications in keratoconus, and found that only few ligand-receptor interactions were gained but a large fraction of interactional pairs was erased in keratoconus, especially for those related to protease inhibition and anti-inflammatory process. Taken together, this study facilitates the understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying keratoconus pathogenesis, providing insights into keratoconus diagnosis and potential interventions.
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28
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Gheiratmand L, Brown DJ, Sandkuijl D, Loboda A, Jester JV. Immuno Tomography (IT) and Imaging Mass Cytometry (IMC) for constructing spatially resolved, multiplexed 3D IMC data sets. Ocul Surf 2022; 25:49-54. [PMID: 35489589 PMCID: PMC10411503 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtos.2022.04.008] [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: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/23/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE We have previously used Immuno Tomography (IT) to identify label-retaining stem cell populations in the cornea and meibomian gland. While this method provides the unique ability to quantify stem cell populations comprised of 1-4 cells, the number of antigens that can be sequentially used to characterize these unique cells is limited by antigen stability after antibody stripping and re-probing. To address this deficiency, we have evaluated the capability of Imaging Mass Cytometry™ (IMC™) to generate multiplexed images using metal-conjugated antibodies to label IT plastic sections and generate 3-dimensional IMC data sets (3D IMC). METHODS K5-H2B-GFP mice, 56 days after doxycycline chase, were sacrificed and eyelid tissue processed for IT. A total of 400 serial, plastic sections, 2 μm thick, were then probed using metal-tagged antibodies specific for sox 9, collagen type I, E-cadherin, Ki67, GFP, αSMA, vimentin, and DNA intercalator. Multiplexed images were then generated using an Imaging Mass Cytometry system (Fluidigm®), and 3D reconstructions were assembled. RESULTS All 8 metal-labeled tags were detected and their images were successfully assembled into 3D IMC data sets. GFP-labeled nuclei were identified within the meibomian glands in comparable numbers to those previously reported for slow-cycling meibomian gland stem cells. CONCLUSIONS These findings demonstrate that IMC can be used on plastic sections to generate multiplexed, 3D data sets that can be reconstructed to show the spatial localization of meibomian gland stem cells. We propose that 3D IMC might prove valuable in more fully characterizing stem cell populations in different tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ladan Gheiratmand
- Standard BioTools Canada Inc. (formerly Fluidigm), 1380 Rodick Road, Suite 400, Markham, ON, Canada.
| | - Donald J Brown
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Daaf Sandkuijl
- Standard BioTools Canada Inc. (formerly Fluidigm), 1380 Rodick Road, Suite 400, Markham, ON, Canada
| | - Alexander Loboda
- Standard BioTools Canada Inc. (formerly Fluidigm), 1380 Rodick Road, Suite 400, Markham, ON, Canada
| | - James V Jester
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
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29
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Li Y, Jeong J, Song W. Molecular Characteristics and Distribution of Adult Human Corneal Immune Cell Types. Front Immunol 2022; 13:798346. [PMID: 35280984 PMCID: PMC8905655 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.798346] [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: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The limbus is located at a 2-mm-wide area between the bulbar conjunctiva and the cornea and has been suggested to be the niche of corneal epithelial stem cells and immune cells. Like the skin and intestines, the cornea is also an important mucosal surface, and immune cells on the cornea play critical roles in immune surveillance to ensure barrier surface homeostasis and protection from various environmental damage and infections. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis of protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type C positive (PTPRC+) hematopoietic cells from the corneal limbus could provide a single cell atlas of all the immune cell subsets. Methods We performed single-cell RNA sequencing to generate transcriptomic profile for 804 sort-purified hematopoietic cells from the corneal limbus of three healthy donors. Results Our analysis identified a primary transcriptomic pattern for multiple immune cell subtypes, including naive T cells, antiviral effector CD8+ T cells, and innate immune cells such as IDO1+ mature regulatory dendritic cells (mregDCs), macrophages, monocytes, and basophils in the human corneal limbus. Conclusion Overall, single-cell transcriptomic analysis of limbal immune cells suggested the possible contribution of these cells on the adaptive and innate immune response of the human cornea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanxiu Li
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China.,Eye Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Joyce Jeong
- College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Weitao Song
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China.,Eye Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Changsha, Hunan, China
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30
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Chen J, Gao D, Chen J, Hou S, He B, Li Y, Li S, Zhang F, Sun X, Jin Y, Sun L, Yang J. Pseudo-Temporal Analysis of Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Reveals Trans-Differentiation Potential of Greater Epithelial Ridge Cells Into Hair Cells During Postnatal Development of Cochlea in Rats. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:832813. [PMID: 35370544 PMCID: PMC8966675 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.832813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The hair cells of the cochlea play a decisive role in the process of hearing damage and recovery, yet knowledge of their regeneration process is still limited. Greater epithelial ridge (GER) cells, a type of cell present during cochlear development that has the characteristics of a precursor sensory cell, disappear at the time of maturation of hearing development. Its development and evolution remain mysterious for many years. Here, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing to profile the gene expression landscapes of rats’ cochlear basal membrane from P1, P7, and P14 and identified eight major subtypes of GER cells. Furthermore, single-cell trajectory analysis for GER cells and hair cells indicated that among the different subtypes of GER, four subtypes had transient cell proliferation after birth and could transdifferentiate into inner and outer hair cells, and two of them mainly transdifferentiated into inner hair cells. The other two subtypes eventually transdifferentiate into outer hair cells. Our study lays the groundwork for elucidating the mechanisms of the key regulatory genes and signaling pathways in the trans-differentiation of GER cell subtypes into hair cells and provides potential clues to understand hair cell regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianyong Chen
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Ear Science, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Otolaryngology and Translational Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Dekun Gao
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Ear Science, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Otolaryngology and Translational Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Junmin Chen
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Ear Science, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Otolaryngology and Translational Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shule Hou
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Ear Science, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Otolaryngology and Translational Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Baihui He
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Ear Science, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Otolaryngology and Translational Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yue Li
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Ear Science, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Otolaryngology and Translational Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuna Li
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Ear Science, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Otolaryngology and Translational Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Fan Zhang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Ear Science, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Otolaryngology and Translational Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiayu Sun
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Ear Science, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Otolaryngology and Translational Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yulian Jin
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Ear Science, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Otolaryngology and Translational Medicine, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Yulian Jin,
| | - Lianhua Sun
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Ear Science, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Otolaryngology and Translational Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Lianhua Sun,
| | - Jun Yang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Ear Science, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Otolaryngology and Translational Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Jun Yang,
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31
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Ji X, Zheng M, Fan T, Xu B. Commentary: Novel Cell Culture Paradigm Prolongs Mouse Corneal Epithelial Cell Proliferative Activity In Vitro and In Vivo. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:822728. [PMID: 35252189 PMCID: PMC8894700 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.822728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Xiuna Ji
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Mingyue Zheng
- Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tingjun Fan
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Bin Xu
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
- *Correspondence: Bin Xu,
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Elhusseiny AM, Soleimani M, Eleiwa TK, ElSheikh RH, Frank CR, Naderan M, Yazdanpanah G, Rosenblatt MI, Djalilian AR. OUP accepted manuscript. Stem Cells Transl Med 2022; 11:259-268. [PMID: 35303110 PMCID: PMC8968724 DOI: 10.1093/stcltm/szab028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The corneal epithelium serves to protect the underlying cornea from the external environment and is essential for corneal transparency and optimal visual function. Regeneration of this epithelium is dependent on a population of stem cells residing in the basal layer of the limbus, the junction between the cornea and the sclera. The limbus provides the limbal epithelial stem cells (LESCs) with an optimal microenvironment, the limbal niche, which strictly regulates their proliferation and differentiation. Disturbances to the LESCs and/or their niche can lead to the pathologic condition known as limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) whereby the corneal epithelium is not generated effectively. This has deleterious effects on the corneal and visual function, due to impaired healing and secondary corneal opacification. In this concise review, we summarize the characteristics of LESCs and their niche, and present the current and future perspectives in the management of LSCD with an emphasis on restoring the function of the limbal niche.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdelrahman M Elhusseiny
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvey and Bernice Jones Eye Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Mohammad Soleimani
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Taher K Eleiwa
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Benha University, Benha, Egypt
| | - Reem H ElSheikh
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Charles R Frank
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Morteza Naderan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Farabi Eye Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ghasem Yazdanpanah
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Mark I Rosenblatt
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Ali R Djalilian
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- Corresponding author: Ali R. Djalilian, Cornea Service, Stem Cell Therapy and Corneal Tissue Engineering Laboratory, Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, 1855 W. Taylor Street, M/C 648, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
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Català P, Groen N, Dehnen JA, Soares E, van Velthoven AJH, Nuijts RMMA, Dickman MM, LaPointe VLS. Single cell transcriptomics reveals the heterogeneity of the human cornea to identify novel markers of the limbus and stroma. Sci Rep 2021; 11:21727. [PMID: 34741068 PMCID: PMC8571304 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-01015-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The cornea is the clear window that lets light into the eye. It is composed of five layers: epithelium, Bowman's layer, stroma, Descemet's membrane and endothelium. The maintenance of its structure and transparency are determined by the functions of the different cell types populating each layer. Attempts to regenerate corneal tissue and understand disease conditions requires knowledge of how cell profiles vary across this heterogeneous tissue. We performed a single cell transcriptomic profiling of 19,472 cells isolated from eight healthy donor corneas. Our analysis delineates the heterogeneity of the corneal layers by identifying cell populations and revealing cell states that contribute in preserving corneal homeostasis. We identified expression of CAV1, HOMER3 and CPVL in the corneal epithelial limbal stem cell niche, CKS2, STMN1 and UBE2C were exclusively expressed in highly proliferative transit amplifying cells, CXCL14 was expressed exclusively in the suprabasal/superficial limbus, and NNMT was exclusively expressed by stromal keratocytes. Overall, this research provides a basis to improve current primary cell expansion protocols, for future profiling of corneal disease states, to help guide pluripotent stem cells into different corneal lineages, and to understand how engineered substrates affect corneal cells to improve regenerative therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pere Català
- Department of Cell Biology-Inspired Tissue Engineering, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- University Eye Clinic Maastricht, Maastricht University Medical Center+, PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Jasmin A Dehnen
- Department of Cell Biology-Inspired Tissue Engineering, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- University Eye Clinic Maastricht, Maastricht University Medical Center+, PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Eduardo Soares
- Department of Cell Biology-Inspired Tissue Engineering, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- University Eye Clinic Maastricht, Maastricht University Medical Center+, PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Arianne J H van Velthoven
- Department of Cell Biology-Inspired Tissue Engineering, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- University Eye Clinic Maastricht, Maastricht University Medical Center+, PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Rudy M M A Nuijts
- University Eye Clinic Maastricht, Maastricht University Medical Center+, PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Mor M Dickman
- Department of Cell Biology-Inspired Tissue Engineering, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
- University Eye Clinic Maastricht, Maastricht University Medical Center+, PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
| | - Vanessa L S LaPointe
- Department of Cell Biology-Inspired Tissue Engineering, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
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La T, Chen S, Guo T, Zhao XH, Teng L, Li D, Carnell M, Zhang YY, Feng YC, Cole N, Brown AC, Zhang D, Dong Q, Wang JY, Cao H, Liu T, Thorne RF, Shao FM, Zhang XD, Jin L. Visualization of endogenous p27 and Ki67 reveals the importance of a c-Myc-driven metabolic switch in promoting survival of quiescent cancer cells. Am J Cancer Res 2021; 11:9605-9622. [PMID: 34646389 PMCID: PMC8490506 DOI: 10.7150/thno.63763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Rationale: Recurrent and metastatic cancers often undergo a period of dormancy, which is closely associated with cellular quiescence, a state whereby cells exit the cell cycle and are reversibly arrested in G0 phase. Curative cancer treatment thus requires therapies that either sustain the dormant state of quiescent cancer cells, or preferentially, eliminate them. However, the mechanisms responsible for the survival of quiescent cancer cells remain obscure. Methods: Dual genome-editing was carried out using a CRISPR/Cas9-based system to label endogenous p27 and Ki67 with the green and red fluorescent proteins EGFP and mCherry, respectively, in melanoma cells. Analysis of transcriptomes of isolated EGFP-p27highmCherry-Ki67low quiescent cells was conducted at bulk and single cell levels using RNA-sequencing. The extracellular acidification rate and oxygen consumption rate were measured to define metabolic phenotypes. SiRNA and inducible shRNA knockdown, chromatin immunoprecipitation and luciferase reporter assays were employed to elucidate mechanisms of the metabolic switch in quiescent cells. Results: Dual labelling of endogenous p27 and Ki67 with differentiable fluorescent probes allowed for visualization, isolation, and analysis of viable p27highKi67low quiescent cells. Paradoxically, the proto-oncoprotein c-Myc, which commonly drives malignant cell cycle progression, was expressed at relatively high levels in p27highKi67low quiescent cells and supported their survival through promoting mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). In this context, c-Myc selectively transactivated genes encoding OXPHOS enzymes, including subunits of isocitric dehydrogenase 3 (IDH3), whereas its binding to cell cycle progression gene promoters was decreased in quiescent cells. Silencing of c-Myc or the catalytic subunit of IDH3, IDH3α, preferentially killed quiescent cells, recapitulating the effect of treatment with OXPHOS inhibitors. Conclusion: These results establish a rigorous experimental system for investigating cellular quiescence, uncover the high selectivity of c-Myc in activating OXPHOS genes in quiescent cells, and propose OXPHOS targeting as a potential therapeutic avenue to counter cancer cells in quiescence.
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Latta L, Figueiredo FC, Ashery-Padan R, Collinson JM, Daniels J, Ferrari S, Szentmáry N, Solá S, Shalom-Feuerstein R, Lako M, Xapelli S, Aberdam D, Lagali N. Pathophysiology of aniridia-associated keratopathy: Developmental aspects and unanswered questions. Ocul Surf 2021; 22:245-266. [PMID: 34520870 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtos.2021.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Aniridia, a rare congenital disease, is often characterized by a progressive, pronounced limbal insufficiency and ocular surface pathology termed aniridia-associated keratopathy (AAK). Due to the characteristics of AAK and its bilateral nature, clinical management is challenging and complicated by the multiple coexisting ocular and systemic morbidities in aniridia. Although it is primarily assumed that AAK originates from a congenital limbal stem cell deficiency, in recent years AAK and its pathogenesis has been questioned in the light of new evidence and a refined understanding of ocular development and the biology of limbal stem cells (LSCs) and their niche. Here, by consolidating and comparing the latest clinical and preclinical evidence, we discuss key unanswered questions regarding ocular developmental aspects crucial to AAK. We also highlight hypotheses on the potential role of LSCs and the ocular surface microenvironment in AAK. The insights thus gained lead to a greater appreciation for the role of developmental and cellular processes in the emergence of AAK. They also highlight areas for future research to enable a deeper understanding of aniridia, and thereby the potential to develop new treatments for this rare but blinding ocular surface disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Latta
- Dr. Rolf. M. Schwiete Center for Limbal Stem Cell and Aniridia Research, Saarland University, Homburg, Saar, Germany; Department of Ophthalmology, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg, Saar, Germany.
| | - F C Figueiredo
- Department of Ophthalmology, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - R Ashery-Padan
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel
| | - J M Collinson
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Institute of Medical Sciences, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, United Kingdom
| | - J Daniels
- Cells for Sight, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - S Ferrari
- The Veneto Eye Bank Foundation, Venice, Italy
| | - N Szentmáry
- Dr. Rolf. M. Schwiete Center for Limbal Stem Cell and Aniridia Research, Saarland University, Homburg, Saar, Germany
| | - S Solá
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - R Shalom-Feuerstein
- Department of Genetics and Developmental Biology, The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine and Research Institute, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - M Lako
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - S Xapelli
- Instituto Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal; Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - D Aberdam
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM U1138, Team 17, France; Université de Paris, 75006, Paris, France.
| | - N Lagali
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden; Department of Ophthalmology, Sørlandet Hospital Arendal, Arendal, Norway.
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Di Girolamo N. "Eyeing" corneal stem cell identity, dynamics, and compartmentalization. Cell Stem Cell 2021; 28:1181-1183. [PMID: 34214435 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2021.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The mammalian cornea is maintained by the lifelong self-replenishing activity of its stem cells. In this issue of Cell Stem Cell, Altshuler et al. (2021) and Farrelly et al. (2021) identify two stem cell populations with diverse function and genetic signature, one "active" and one "quiescent," that support corneal health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nick Di Girolamo
- Mechanisms of Disease and Translational Research, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
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Ma J, Zhang L, Zhan H, Mo Y, Ren Z, Shao A, Lin J. Single-cell transcriptomic analysis of endometriosis provides insights into fibroblast fates and immune cell heterogeneity. Cell Biosci 2021; 11:125. [PMID: 34233737 PMCID: PMC8261960 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-021-00637-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Endometriosis is an oestrogen-dependent disease with an unclear aetiology and pathogenesis affecting 6–10% of the global female population, predominantly those of reproductive age. Herein, we profile the transcriptomes of approximately 55,000 single cells from three groups including ectopic endometrium, eutopic endometrium from women with endometriosis, and eutopic endometrium from healthy women to create a single-cell transcriptome atlas of endometriosis. Results We have identified 9 cell types and performed single-cell analysis of fibroblasts, and determined a potential developmental trajectory associated with endometriosis. We also identified fibroblast subpopulations related to endometriosis development and found that StAR played an important role in this process. Moreover, T cells in endometriosis were less activated or inflammatory with decreased effector CD8 + T cells, while the composition ratio of natural killer cells decreased and the percentage of monocytes/macrophages increased in endometriosis cysts. In addition, the effectiveness of immune cells in endometriosis lesions, eutopic endometrium from women with endometriosis, and eutopic endometrium from healthy women was distinct. Cell–cell interaction analyses highlighted the imbalanced immune environment in endometriosis lesions and immune cells in endometriosis could promote the development of the disease. Conclusion Our study provided a systematic characterisation of endometriosis and insights into the aetiology and pathology of endometriosis. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13578-021-00637-x.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junyan Ma
- Key Laboratory of Women's Reproductive Health Research of Zhejiang Province, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Liqi Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hong Zhan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yun Mo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zuanjie Ren
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Anwen Shao
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jun Lin
- Key Laboratory of Women's Reproductive Health Research of Zhejiang Province, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
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