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Ng XY, Peh GSL, Yam GHF, Tay HG, Mehta JS. Corneal Endothelial-like Cells Derived from Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells for Cell Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12433. [PMID: 37569804 PMCID: PMC10418878 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241512433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Corneal endothelial dysfunction is one of the leading causes of corneal blindness, and the current conventional treatment option is corneal transplantation using a cadaveric donor cornea. However, there is a global shortage of suitable donor graft material, necessitating the exploration of novel therapeutic approaches. A stem cell-based regenerative medicine approach using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) offers a promising solution, as they possess self-renewal capabilities, can be derived from adult somatic cells, and can be differentiated into all cell types including corneal endothelial cells (CECs). This review discusses the progress and challenges in developing protocols to induce iPSCs into CECs, focusing on the different media formulations used to differentiate iPSCs to neural crest cells (NCCs) and subsequently to CECs, as well as the characterization methods and markers that define iPSC-derived CECs. The hurdles and solutions for the clinical application of iPSC-derived cell therapy are also addressed, including the establishment of protocols that adhere to good manufacturing practice (GMP) guidelines. The potential risks of genetic mutations in iPSC-derived CECs associated with long-term in vitro culture and the danger of potential tumorigenicity following transplantation are evaluated. In all, this review provides insights into the advancement and obstacles of using iPSC in the treatment of corneal endothelial dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Yu Ng
- Tissue Engineering and Cell Therapy Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore 169856, Singapore; (X.Y.N.); (G.S.L.P.); (G.H.-F.Y.)
| | - Gary S. L. Peh
- Tissue Engineering and Cell Therapy Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore 169856, Singapore; (X.Y.N.); (G.S.L.P.); (G.H.-F.Y.)
- Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Academic Clinical Program, SingHealth and Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore;
| | - Gary Hin-Fai Yam
- Tissue Engineering and Cell Therapy Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore 169856, Singapore; (X.Y.N.); (G.S.L.P.); (G.H.-F.Y.)
- Corneal Regeneration Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh, 6614, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Hwee Goon Tay
- Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Academic Clinical Program, SingHealth and Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore;
- Centre for Vision Research, DUKE-NUS Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore
| | - Jodhbir S. Mehta
- Tissue Engineering and Cell Therapy Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore 169856, Singapore; (X.Y.N.); (G.S.L.P.); (G.H.-F.Y.)
- Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Academic Clinical Program, SingHealth and Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore;
- Centre for Vision Research, DUKE-NUS Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore
- Department of Cornea and External Eye Disease, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore 168751, Singapore
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Nakai H, Tsuchiya Y, Koike N, Asano T, Ueno M, Umemura Y, Sasawaki Y, Ono R, Hamuro J, Sotozono C, Yagita K. Comprehensive Analysis Identified the Circadian Clock and Global Circadian Gene Expression in Human Corneal Endothelial Cells. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2022; 63:16. [PMID: 35579906 PMCID: PMC9123520 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.63.5.16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To investigate circadian clock oscillation and circadian global gene expression in cultured human corneal endothelial cells (cHCECs) to elucidate and assess the potential function of circadian regulation in HCECs. Methods In this study, we introduced a circadian bioluminescence reporter, Bmal1:luciferase (Bmal1:luc), into cHCECs and subsequently monitored real-time bioluminescence rhythms. RNA-sequencing data analysis was then performed using sequential time-course samples of the cHCECs to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the circadian gene expression rhythms. The potential relevance of rhythmically expressed genes was then assessed by systematic approaches using functional clustering and individual gene annotations. Results Bmal1:luc bioluminescence exhibited clear circadian oscillation in the cHCECs. The core clock genes and clock-related genes showed high-amplitude robust circadian messenger RNA (mRNA) expression rhythms in cHCECs after treatment with dexamethasone, and 329 genes that exhibited circadian mRNA expression rhythms were identified (i.e., genes involved in various physiological processes including glycolysis, mitochondrial function, antioxidative systems, hypoxic responses, apoptosis, and extracellular matrix regulation, which represent the physiological functions of HCECs). Conclusions Our findings revealed that cHCECs have a robust and functional circadian clock, and our discovery that a large number of genes exhibit circadian mRNA expression rhythms in cHCECs suggests a potential contribution of circadian regulation to fine-tune HCEC functions for daily changes in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroko Nakai
- Department of Physiology and Systems Bioscience, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan.,Department of Ophthalmology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yoshiki Tsuchiya
- Department of Physiology and Systems Bioscience, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Nobuya Koike
- Department of Physiology and Systems Bioscience, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Taiki Asano
- Department of Physiology and Systems Bioscience, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Morio Ueno
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Umemura
- Department of Physiology and Systems Bioscience, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yuh Sasawaki
- Department of Physiology and Systems Bioscience, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Ryutaro Ono
- Department of Physiology and Systems Bioscience, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Junji Hamuro
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Chie Sotozono
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Yagita
- Department of Physiology and Systems Bioscience, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
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3
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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: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 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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4
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Smeringaiova I, Paaske Utheim T, Jirsova K. Ex vivo expansion and characterization of human corneal endothelium for transplantation: a review. Stem Cell Res Ther 2021; 12:554. [PMID: 34717745 PMCID: PMC8556978 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-021-02611-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The corneal endothelium plays a key role in maintaining corneal transparency. Its dysfunction is currently treated with penetrating or lamellar keratoplasty. Advanced cell therapy methods seek to address the persistent global deficiency of donor corneas by enabling the renewal of the endothelial monolayer with tissue-engineered grafts. This review provides an overview of recently published literature on the preparation of endothelial grafts for transplantation derived from cadaveric corneas that have developed over the last decade (2010–2021). Factors such as the most suitable donor parameters, culture substrates and media, endothelial graft storage conditions, and transplantation methods are discussed. Despite efforts to utilize alternative cellular sources, such as induced pluripotent cells, cadaveric corneas appear to be the best source of cells for graft preparation to date. However, native endothelial cells have a limited natural proliferative capacity, and they often undergo rapid phenotype changes in ex vivo culture. This is the main reason why no culture protocol for a clinical-grade endothelial graft prepared from cadaveric corneas has been standardized so far. Currently, the most established ex vivo culture protocol involves the peel-and-digest method of cell isolation and cell culture by the dual media method, including the repeated alternation of high and low mitogenic conditions. Culture media are enriched by additional substances, such as signaling pathway (Rho-associated protein kinase, TGF-β, etc.) inhibitors, to stimulate proliferation and inhibit unwanted morphological changes, particularly the endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition. To date, this promising approach has led to the development of endothelial grafts for the first in-human clinical trial in Japan. In addition to the lack of a standard culture protocol, endothelial-specific markers are still missing to confirm the endothelial phenotype in a graft ready for clinical use. Because the corneal endothelium appears to comprise phenotypically heterogeneous populations of cells, the genomic and proteomic expression of recently proposed endothelial-specific markers, such as Cadherin-2, CD166, or SLC4A11, must be confirmed by additional studies. The preparation of endothelial grafts is still challenging today, but advances in tissue engineering and surgery over the past decade hold promise for the successful treatment of endothelial dysfunctions in more patients worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrida Smeringaiova
- Laboratory of the Biology and Pathology of the Eye, Institute of Biology and Medical Genetics, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Albertov 4, 128 00, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Tor Paaske Utheim
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Katerina Jirsova
- Laboratory of the Biology and Pathology of the Eye, Institute of Biology and Medical Genetics, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Albertov 4, 128 00, Prague, Czech Republic.
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5
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Abstract
Corneal endothelial cells (CECs) facilitate the function of maintaining the transparency of the cornea. Damage or dysfunction of CECs can lead to blindness, and the primary treatment is corneal transplantation. However, the shortage of cornea donors is a significant problem worldwide. Thus, cultured CEC therapy has been proposed and found to be a promising approach to overcome the lack of tissue supply. Unfortunately, CECs in humans rarely proliferate in vivo and, therefore, can be extremely challenging to culture in vitro. Several promising cell isolation and culture techniques have been proposed. Multiple factors affecting the success of cell expansion including donor characteristics, preservation and isolation methods, plating density, media preparation, transdifferentiation and biomarkers have been evaluated. However, there is no consensus on standard technique for CEC culture. This review aimed to determine the challenges and investigate potential options that would facilitate the standardization of CEC culture for research and therapeutic application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rintra Wongvisavavit
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK.,Faculty of Medicine & Public Health, Chulabhorn Royal Academy, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Mohit Parekh
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Sajjad Ahmad
- Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Julie T Daniels
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK
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6
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Català P, Thuret G, Skottman H, Mehta JS, Parekh M, Ní Dhubhghaill S, Collin RWJ, Nuijts RMMA, Ferrari S, LaPointe VLS, Dickman MM. Approaches for corneal endothelium regenerative medicine. Prog Retin Eye Res 2021; 87:100987. [PMID: 34237411 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2021.100987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The state of the art therapy for treating corneal endothelial disease is transplantation. Advances in the reproducibility and accessibility of surgical techniques are increasing the number of corneal transplants, thereby causing a global deficit of donor corneas and leaving 12.7 million patients with addressable visual impairment. Approaches to regenerate the corneal endothelium offer a solution to the current tissue scarcity and a treatment to those in need. Methods for generating corneal endothelial cells into numbers that could address the current tissue shortage and the possible strategies used to deliver them have now become a therapeutic reality with clinical trials taking place in Japan, Singapore and Mexico. Nevertheless, there is still a long way before such therapies are approved by regulatory bodies and become clinical practice. Moreover, acellular corneal endothelial graft equivalents and certain drugs could provide a treatment option for specific disease conditions without the need of donor tissue or cells. Finally, with the emergence of gene modulation therapies to treat corneal endothelial disease, it would be possible to treat presymptomatic patients or those presenting early symptoms, drastically reducing the need for donor tissue. It is necessary to understand the most recent developments in this rapidly evolving field to know which conditions could be treated with which approach. This article provides an overview of the current and developing regenerative medicine therapies to treat corneal endothelial disease and provides the necessary guidance and understanding towards the treatment of corneal endothelial disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pere Català
- University Eye Clinic Maastricht, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands; Department of Cell Biology-Inspired Tissue Engineering, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Gilles Thuret
- Laboratory of Biology, Engineering and Imaging of Corneal Graft, BiiGC, Faculty of Medicine, University of Saint Etienne, Saint Etienne, France; Institut Universitaire de France, Paris, France
| | - Heli Skottman
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Jodhbir S Mehta
- Tissue Engineering and Cell Therapy Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore; Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Academic Clinical Programme, Duke-National University Singapore Medical School, Singapore; Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore
| | - Mohit Parekh
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK; The Veneto Eye Bank Foundation, Venice, Italy; Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sorcha Ní Dhubhghaill
- Department of Ophthalmology, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium; Ophthalmology, Visual Optics and Visual Rehabilitation, Department of Translational Neurosciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Rob W J Collin
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Rudy M M A Nuijts
- University Eye Clinic Maastricht, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | | | - Vanessa L S LaPointe
- Department of Cell Biology-Inspired Tissue Engineering, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Mor M Dickman
- University Eye Clinic Maastricht, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands; Department of Cell Biology-Inspired Tissue Engineering, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
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7
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Parekh M, Ruzza A, Gallon P, Ponzin D, Ahmad S, Ferrari S. Synthetic media for preservation of corneal tissues deemed for endothelial keratoplasty and endothelial cell culture. Acta Ophthalmol 2021; 99:314-325. [PMID: 32914554 DOI: 10.1111/aos.14583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Revised: 07/04/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To compare the difference between various endothelial graft preparation methods and endothelial cell culture from tissues that are preserved in serum-based and synthetic medium. METHODS In a randomized masked study, the tissues (n = 64) were preserved in Cornea Max (serum-based) and Cornea Syn (synthetic) series for 36 days at their respective preservation conditions. Following organ culture, corneal tissues (n = 48) were used to prepareDescemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK), preloaded ultra-thin (UT) -DSAEK, prestripped Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK), free-floating DMEK, and preloaded DMEK with endothelium inward and outward grafts. These tissues were preserved for another 4days at room temperature in dextran supplemented media following which they were subjected to trypan blue, alizarin red, live/dead and Zonula Occludens-1 (ZO-1) staining. A separate set of tissues (n = 16) from both the series was used for human corneal endothelial cell (HCEnC) culture. At confluence, the proliferation and cell doubling rate was calculated and the cultured cells were subjected to live/dead, ZO-1, 2A12 and Ki-67 staining. Mann-Whitney test was performed with p < 0.05 deemed statistically significant. RESULTS After preparation and preservation of the tissues for endothelial keratoplasty, alizarin red showed standard endothelial morphology from both the groups. Endothelial cell loss, hexagonality and uncovered areas did not show statistically significant differences (p > 0.05) between both groups. For HCEnC, cell doubling rate was 4.7 days (p > 0.05). All the antibodies were expressed in both the groups. Hexagonality, polymorphism, cell area, viable/dead cells and Ki-67 positivity were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Complete synthetic organ culture series is safe and advantageous for carrying out advanced endothelial keratoplasty graft preparation procedures and for HCEnC culture as it is free from animal or animal-derived products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohit Parekh
- Institute of Ophthalmology University College London London UK
- International Center for Ocular Physiopathology Fondazione Banca degli Occhi del Veneto Onlus Venice Italy
| | - Alessandro Ruzza
- International Center for Ocular Physiopathology Fondazione Banca degli Occhi del Veneto Onlus Venice Italy
| | - Paola Gallon
- International Center for Ocular Physiopathology Fondazione Banca degli Occhi del Veneto Onlus Venice Italy
| | - Diego Ponzin
- International Center for Ocular Physiopathology Fondazione Banca degli Occhi del Veneto Onlus Venice Italy
| | - Sajjad Ahmad
- Institute of Ophthalmology University College London London UK
- Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust London UK
| | - Stefano Ferrari
- International Center for Ocular Physiopathology Fondazione Banca degli Occhi del Veneto Onlus Venice Italy
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Achiron A, Feldman A, Karmona L, Peʼer L, Avizemer H, Bartov E, Burgansky Z, Rosner M, Vishnevskia-Dai V. Effect of Rho-associated kinase inhibitor on human corneal endothelial cell apoptosis. J Cataract Refract Surg 2020; 46:612-6. [PMID: 32079844 DOI: 10.1097/j.jcrs.0000000000000115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate whether exposure to Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK) inhibitor will promote human-cultured corneal endothelial cells (CECs) survival in a commercial storage medium. SETTING Edith Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, and Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel. DESIGN Experimental study. METHODS Fragments of human donor corneolimbal rings were stored in commercial storage media for 1 week, half with the addition of 10 μM ROCK inhibitor (Y-27632). Evaluation of CECs for early and late apoptosis\necrosis rates was performed using anti-human CD166 antibody and flow cytometric double staining analysis of propidium iodide and Annexin V. RESULTS CECs of 6 corneolimbal rings demonstrated a reduced early apoptosis rate (4.35% ± 1.07% vs 12.18% ± 5.5%, P = .026) and a reduced late apoptosis\necrosis rate (5.5% ± 2.39% vs 9.43% ± 2.61%, P = .004) compared with control. Subsequently, the rate of apoptotic CECs expressing ROCK was significantly lower in cells exposed to ROCK inhibitor compared with cells that were not (19.01% ± 4.17 vs 30.42% ± 4.27, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS ROCK inhibitor reduced endothelial cell loss in vitro and might be used to limit or slow CEC loss in donor corneal tissue during eye banking. This might be a promising new method for promoting future graft survival.
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Ting DSJ, Peh GSL, Adnan K, Mehta JS. Translational and Regulatory Challenges of Corneal Endothelial Cell Therapy: A Global Perspective. Tissue Eng Part B Rev 2021; 28:52-62. [PMID: 33267724 DOI: 10.1089/ten.teb.2020.0319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Cell therapies are emerging as a unique class of clinical therapeutics in medicine. In 2015, Holoclar (ex vivo expanded autologous human corneal epithelial cells containing stem cells) gained the regulatory approval for treating limbal stem cell deficiency after chemical eye burn. This has set a precedent in ophthalmology and in medicine, reinforcing the therapeutic promise of cell therapy. However, to generalize and commercialize cell therapies on a global scale, stringent translational and regulatory requirements need to be fulfilled at both local and international levels. Over the past decade, the Singapore group has taken significant steps in developing human corneal endothelial cell (HCEnC) therapy for treating corneal endothelial diseases, which are currently the leading indication for corneal transplantation in many countries. Successful development of HCEnC therapy may serve as a novel solution to the current global shortage of donor corneas. Based on the experience in Singapore, this review aims to provide a global perspective on the translational and regulatory challenges for bench-to-bedside translation of cell therapy. Specifically, we discussed about the characterization of the critical quality attributes (CQA), the challenges that can affect the CQA, and the variations in the regulatory framework embedded within different regions, including Singapore, Europe, and the United States. Impact statement Functional corneal endothelium is critical to normal vision. Corneal endothelial disease-secondary to trauma, surgery, or pathology-represents an important cause of visual impairment and blindness in both developed and developing countries. Currently, corneal transplantation serves as the current gold standard for treating visually significant corneal endothelial diseases, although limited by the shortage of donor corneas. Over the past decade, human corneal endothelial cell therapy has emerged as a promising treatment option for treating corneal endothelial diseases. To allow widespread application of this therapy, significant regulatory challenges will need to be systematically overcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darren Shu Jeng Ting
- Academic Ophthalmology, Division of Clinical Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom.,Department of Ophthalmology, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, United Kingdom.,Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Gary S L Peh
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore.,Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Jodhbir S Mehta
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore.,Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore, Singapore.,Schools of Material Science and Engineering, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
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10
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Price MO, Mehta JS, Jurkunas UV, Price FW. Corneal endothelial dysfunction: Evolving understanding and treatment options. Prog Retin Eye Res 2020; 82:100904. [PMID: 32977001 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2020.100904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The cornea is exquisitely designed to protect the eye while transmitting and focusing incoming light. Precise control of corneal hydration by the endothelial cell layer that lines the inner surface of the cornea is required for optimal transparency, and endothelial dysfunction or damage can result in corneal edema and visual impairment. Advances in corneal transplantation now allow selective replacement of dysfunctional corneal endothelium, providing rapid visual rehabilitation. A series of technique improvements have minimized complications and various adaptations allow use even in eyes with complicated anatomy. While selective endothelial keratoplasty sets a very high standard for safety and efficacy, a shortage of donor corneas in many parts of the world restricts access, prompting a search for alternatives. Clinical trials are underway to evaluate the potential for self-recovery after removal of dysfunctional central endothelium in patients with healthy peripheral endothelium. Various approaches to using cultured human corneal endothelial cells are also in clinical trials; these aim to multiply cells from a single donor cornea for use in potentially hundreds of patients. Pre-clinical studies are underway with induced pluripotent stem cells, endothelial stem cell regeneration, gene therapy, anti-sense oligonucleotides, and various biologic/pharmacologic approaches designed to treat, prevent, or retard corneal endothelial dysfunction. The availability of more therapeutic options will hopefully expand access around the world while also allowing treatment to be more precisely tailored to each individual patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianne O Price
- Cornea Research Foundation of America, 9002 N. Meridian St., Suite 212, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
| | - Jodhbir S Mehta
- Singapore National Eye Centre, 11 Third Hospital Ave #08-00, 168751, Singapore
| | - Ula V Jurkunas
- Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, 243 Charles St., Boston, MA, USA
| | - Francis W Price
- Price Vision Group, 9002 N. Meridian St., Suite 100, Indianapolis, IN, USA
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11
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Frausto RF, Swamy VS, Peh GSL, Boere PM, Hanser EM, Chung DD, George BL, Morselli M, Kao L, Azimov R, Wu J, Pellegrini M, Kurtz I, Mehta JS, Aldave AJ. Phenotypic and functional characterization of corneal endothelial cells during in vitro expansion. Sci Rep 2020; 10:7402. [PMID: 32366916 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-64311-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The advent of cell culture-based methods for the establishment and expansion of human corneal endothelial cells (CEnC) has provided a source of transplantable corneal endothelium, with a significant potential to challenge the one donor-one recipient paradigm. However, concerns over cell identity remain, and a comprehensive characterization of the cultured CEnC across serial passages has not been performed. To this end, we compared two established CEnC culture methods by assessing the transcriptomic changes that occur during in vitro expansion. In confluent monolayers, low mitogenic culture conditions preserved corneal endothelial cell state identity better than culture in high mitogenic conditions. Expansion by continuous passaging induced replicative cell senescence. Transcriptomic analysis of the senescent phenotype identified a cell senescence signature distinct for CEnC. We identified activation of both classic and new cell signaling pathways that may be targeted to prevent senescence, a significant barrier to realizing the potential clinical utility of in vitro expansion.
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12
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Meir YJ, Chen HC, Chen CC, Ma HD. Revisiting Existing Evidence of Corneal Endothelial Progenitors and Their Potential Therapeutic Applications in Corneal Endothelial Dysfunction. Adv Ther 2020; 37:1034-48. [PMID: 32002810 DOI: 10.1007/s12325-020-01237-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE A recent successful clinical trial demonstrated that a less invasive cell-injection procedure is a viable medical modality for treating corneal endothelial dystrophy. This medical advance still relies on human corneal endothelial cell (HCEC) sources derived from rare cornea donations. The progenitor of the corneal endothelium, which has the characteristics of active proliferation and lineage restriction, will be an ideal cell source for expansion ex vivo. However, the distribution of progenitor-like cells in the corneal endothelial sheet has been under debate for more than a decade. METHODS This paper re-examines the scientific evidence of the existence of human corneal endothelial progenitors (HCEPs) from the aspects of (1) the origin of cornea formation during ocular development, (2) manifestations from clinical studies, and (3) the distinctive properties of ex vivo-cultured subpopulations. RESULTS The discrepancies regarding different types of progenitor-like cells in various locations of the cornea are based on the fact that the corneal endothelium is derived from different cell types with multiple origins during corneal formation. CONCLUSIONS Resolving this long-standing issue in corneal biology will enable various types of progenitors to be isolated and their potencies regarding the formation of functional endothelial cells to be examined. Additionally, an effective niche system for quantitatively producing therapeutic cells can be formulated to satisfy the burning need associated with corneal endothelial dystrophy in the future.
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13
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Wahlig S, Peh GSL, Adnan K, Ang HP, Lwin CN, Morales-Wong F, Ong HS, Lovatt M, Mehta JS. Optimisation of Storage and Transportation Conditions of Cultured Corneal Endothelial Cells for Cell Replacement Therapy. Sci Rep 2020; 10:1681. [PMID: 32015414 PMCID: PMC6997453 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-58700-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 01/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
As the cornea is one of the most transplanted tissues in the body it has placed a burden on the provision of corneas from cadaveric donors. Corneal endothelial dysfunction is the leading indication for cornea transplant. Therefore, tissue engineering is emerging as an alternative approach to overcome the global shortage of transplant-grade corneas. The propagation and expansion of corneal endothelial cells has been widely reported. However, one obstacle to overcome is the transport and storage of corneal endothelial cells. In this study we investigated whether tissue engineered corneal endothelial cells can be preserved in hypothermic conditions. Human corneal endothelial cells (HCEnCs) were exposed to various temperatures (4 °C, 23 °C, and 37 °C) in both adherent and suspension storage models. Optimal storage media and storage duration was tested along with post-storage viability. Following storage and subsequent recovery at 37 °C, cell phenotype was assessed by immunofluorescence, gene and protein expression, and proliferative capacity analysis. Functionality was also assessed within a rabbit model of bullous keratopathy. Our data support our hypothesis that functional HCEnCs can be preserved in hypothermic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Wahlig
- Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.,Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore.,Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Gary S L Peh
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore.,Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Khadijah Adnan
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Heng-Pei Ang
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Chan N Lwin
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore
| | - F Morales-Wong
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore.,Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore, Singapore.,Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon (UANL), University Hospital, Monterrey, Mexico
| | - Hon Shing Ong
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore.,Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore, Singapore.,Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Matthew Lovatt
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore. .,Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Jodhbir S Mehta
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore. .,Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore, Singapore. .,Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore, Singapore. .,School of Material Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore.
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14
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Affiliation(s)
- Jodhbir S Mehta
- Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore, Singapore. .,Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore. .,Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore, Singapore. .,School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Viridiana Kocaba
- Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore, Singapore.,Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore.,Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Gary S Peh
- Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore, Singapore.,Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore.,Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
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15
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Parekh M, Peh G, Mehta JS, Ramos T, Ponzin D, Ahmad S, Ferrari S. Passaging capability of human corneal endothelial cells derived from old donors with and without accelerating cell attachment. Exp Eye Res 2019; 189:107814. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2019.107814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2019] [Revised: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
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16
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Liu C, Tang S, Niu G, Zhang J, Huang X, Zhang Y, Bi Y. Ex vivo construction of rabbit corneal endothelial cell sheets on a porcine descemet membrane graft. Exp Ther Med 2019; 18:242-252. [PMID: 31258659 PMCID: PMC6566242 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2019.7573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2018] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate the feasibility of a new graft construction method using rabbit corneal endothelial cells (RCECs) and a porcine descemet membrane (DM) carrier. RCECs were isolated and the experimental group was treated with Y-27632, whereas the control group were cultured in medium without Y-27632. RCEC morphology was observed using an inverted microscope, and cell proliferation and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry. To confirm the presence of RCECs, reverse transcription-quantitative PCR was used to detect gene expression levels of Na+-K+-ATPase, aquaporin 1, collagen α2 (IV), collagen α1 (VIII) and keratin-12. Histocompatibility testing was used to detect porcine DM antigenicity. A DM-RCEC graft was constructed, and morphology was observed using alizarin red-trypan blue and haematoxylin and eosin staining. Cell membrane potential was measured to evaluate the physical function of the DM-RCEC graft. Complex graft tension was measured using a modified tension detector and compared with fresh porcine DM-endothelium complex. In vitro-cultured RCECs formed a monolayer with a polygon morphology and cobblestone-like arrangement. In vitro-cultured RCECs exhibited typical RCEC characteristics before and after transplantation. The proliferation rates of the experimental and control groups were 62.68 and 34.50%, respectively (P<0.05); the apoptosis rates of the experimental and control groups were 8.99 and 35.68%, respectively (P<0.05). There was no antigenicity observed with the porcine DM. The action potential amplitude of the experimental and control groups was over −80 mV, reflecting normal RCEC physiological function. The tension measurements of the experimental and control groups were 20.0248±1.048 and 20.5013±0.657 g, respectively (P>0.05). Taken together, the results of the present study demonstrated that Y-27632 enhanced RCEC proliferation. In addition, the findings revealed the successful ex vivo construction of a RCEC sheet on a porcine DM graft.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunyu Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tongji Hospital Affiliated with Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200333, P.R. China
| | - Shenfei Tang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tongji Hospital Affiliated with Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200333, P.R. China
| | - Guozhen Niu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tongji Hospital Affiliated with Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200333, P.R. China
| | - Juan Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tongji Hospital Affiliated with Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200333, P.R. China
| | - Xinyu Huang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tongji Hospital Affiliated with Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200333, P.R. China
| | - Yushan Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tongji Hospital Affiliated with Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200333, P.R. China
| | - Yanlong Bi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tongji Hospital Affiliated with Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200333, P.R. China
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17
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Seow WY, Kandasamy K, Peh GSL, Mehta JS, Sun W. Ultrathin, Strong, and Cell-Adhesive Agarose-Based Membranes Engineered as Substrates for Corneal Endothelial Cells. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2019; 5:4067-4076. [DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.9b00610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Yang Seow
- Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, 31 Biopolis Way, #07-01, Singapore 138669
| | - Karthikeyan Kandasamy
- Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, 31 Biopolis Way, #07-01, Singapore 138669
| | - Gary S. L. Peh
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore
- Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore
| | - Jodhbir S. Mehta
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore
- Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore
- Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore
| | - William Sun
- Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, 31 Biopolis Way, #07-01, Singapore 138669
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18
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Parekh M, Romano V, Ruzza A, Kaye SB, Ponzin D, Ahmad S, Ferrari S. Culturing Discarded Peripheral Human Corneal Endothelial Cells From the Tissues Deemed for Preloaded DMEK Transplants. Cornea 2019; 38:1175-81. [DOI: 10.1097/ico.0000000000001998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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19
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Peh GSL, Ong HS, Adnan K, Ang HP, Lwin CN, Seah XY, Lin SJ, Mehta JS. Functional Evaluation of Two Corneal Endothelial Cell-Based Therapies: Tissue-Engineered Construct and Cell Injection. Sci Rep 2019; 9:6087. [PMID: 30988373 PMCID: PMC6465252 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-42493-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2018] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Restoration of vision due to corneal blindness from corneal endothelial dysfunction can be achieved via a corneal transplantation. However, global shortage of donor tissues has driven the development cell-based therapeutics. With the capacity to propagate regulatory compliant human corneal endothelial cells (CEnCs), this study evaluated the functionality of propagated CEnCs delivered via tissue-engineered endothelial keratoplasty (TE-EK) or corneal endothelial cell injection (CE-CI) within a rabbit model of bullous keratopathy. For animals with TE-EK grafts, central corneal thickness (CCT) increased to >1000 μm post-operatively. Gradual thinning with improvements in corneal clarity was observed from week 1. CCT at week 3 was 484.3 ± 73.7 μm. In rabbits with CE-CI, corneal clarity was maintained throughout, and CCT at week 3 was 582.5 ± 171.5 μm. Control corneas remained significantly edematous throughout the study period compared to their respective experimental groups (p < 0.05). Characterization of excised corneas showed a monolayer with heterogeneously shaped CEnCs in both TE-EK and CE-CI groups. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated reactivity to anti-human specific nuclei antibody attributing corneal recovery to the functional human CEnCs. This study showed that regulatory compliant cell-based therapy for corneal endothelial dysfunction can be delivered by both TE-EK and CE-CI, and holds great promise as an alternative to traditional corneal transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary S L Peh
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore. .,Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Hon Shing Ong
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore.,Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Khadijah Adnan
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Heng-Pei Ang
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Chan N Lwin
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Xin-Yi Seah
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Shu-Jun Lin
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jodhbir S Mehta
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore. .,Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore, Singapore. .,Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore, Singapore. .,School of Material Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore.
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20
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Willrodt AH, Salabarria AC, Schineis P, Ignatova D, Hunter MC, Vranova M, Golding-Ochsenbein AM, Sigmund E, Romagna A, Strassberger V, Fabbi M, Ferrini S, Cursiefen C, Neri D, Guenova E, Bock F, Halin C. ALCAM Mediates DC Migration Through Afferent Lymphatics and Promotes Allospecific Immune Reactions. Front Immunol 2019; 10:759. [PMID: 31031759 PMCID: PMC6473055 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2018] [Accepted: 03/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule (ALCAM, CD166) is a cell adhesion molecule of the immunoglobulin superfamily and has been implicated in diverse pathophysiological processes including T cell activation, leukocyte trafficking, and (lymph)angiogenesis. However, exploring the therapeutic potential of ALCAM blockade in immune-mediated inflammatory disorders has been difficult due to the lack of antibodies with blocking activity toward murine ALCAM. In this study, we identified and characterized a monoclonal antibody with high affinity and specificity for murine ALCAM. This antibody reduced in vitro T cell activation induced by antigen-presenting dendritic cells (DCs) as well as (trans)migration of murine DCs across lymphatic endothelial monolayers. Moreover, it reduced emigration of DCs from in vitro-cultured human skin biopsies. Similarly, antibody-based blockade of ALCAM reduced (lymph)angiogenic processes in vitro and decreased developmental lymphangiogenesis in vivo to levels observed in ALCAM-deficient mice. Since corneal allograft rejection is an important medical condition that also involves (lymph)angiogenesis, DC migration and T cell activation, we investigated the therapeutic potential of ALCAM blockade in murine corneal disease. Blocking ALCAM lead to DC retention in corneas and effectively prevented corneal allograft rejection. Considering that we also detected ALCAM expression in human corneal DCs and lymphatics, our findings identify ALCAM as a potential novel therapeutic target in human corneal allograft rejection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Philipp Schineis
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, ETH Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Desislava Ignatova
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Zürich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Martina Vranova
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, ETH Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Elena Sigmund
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, ETH Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Annatina Romagna
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, ETH Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Marina Fabbi
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Claus Cursiefen
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Center Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Dario Neri
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, ETH Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Emmanuella Guenova
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Zürich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Felix Bock
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Center Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Cornelia Halin
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, ETH Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
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21
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Parekh M, Peh G, Mehta JS, Ahmad S, Ponzin D, Ferrari S. Effects of corneal preservation conditions on human corneal endothelial cell culture. Exp Eye Res 2019; 179:93-101. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2018.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2018] [Revised: 10/07/2018] [Accepted: 11/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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22
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Lovatt M, Adnan K, Peh GSL, Mehta JS. Regulation of Oxidative Stress in Corneal Endothelial Cells by Prdx6. Antioxidants (Basel) 2018; 7:antiox7120180. [PMID: 30518072 PMCID: PMC6316742 DOI: 10.3390/antiox7120180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Revised: 11/30/2018] [Accepted: 12/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The inner layer of the cornea, the corneal endothelium, is post-mitotic and unable to regenerate if damaged. The corneal endothelium is one of the most transplanted tissues in the body. Fuchs’ endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is the leading indication for corneal endothelial transplantation. FECD is thought to be an age-dependent disorder, with a major component related to oxidative stress. Prdx6 is an antioxidant with particular affinity for repairing peroxidised cell membranes. To address the role of Prdx6 in corneal endothelial cells, we used a combination of biochemical and functional studies. Our data reveal that Prdx6 is expressed at unusually high levels at the plasma membrane of corneal endothelial cells. RNAi-mediated knockdown of Prdx6 revealed a role for Prdx6 in lipid peroxidation. Furthermore, following induction of oxidative stress with menadione, Prdx6-deficient cells had defective mitochondrial membrane potential and were more sensitive to cell death. These data reveal that Prdx6 is compartmentalised in corneal endothelial cells and has multiple functions to preserve cellular integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Lovatt
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell group, Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI), Singapore 169856, Singapore.
- Eye-ACP, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore.
| | - Khadijah Adnan
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell group, Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI), Singapore 169856, Singapore.
| | - Gary S L Peh
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell group, Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI), Singapore 169856, Singapore.
- Eye-ACP, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore.
| | - Jodhbir S Mehta
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell group, Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI), Singapore 169856, Singapore.
- Eye-ACP, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore.
- Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC), Singapore168751, Singapore.
- School of Material Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639977, Singapore.
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23
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Abstract
Peroxiredoxin 6 (Prdx6) is the only mammalian 1-Cys member of the Prdx family, a group of enzymes which share the ability to reduce peroxides. In addition to its peroxidase function, Prdx6 also demonstrates phospholipase A2 and lysophosphatidylcholine acyl transferase (LPCAT) activities. These enzymatic activities play an important role in regenerating oxidized membrane phospholipids and maintaining an appropriate balance of intracellular reactive oxygen species. Development of clinical pathologies, including those within the eye, have been linked to dysregulation of Prdx6 function. Interplay between external stressors like exposure to UV light, transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), and hyperglycemia in conjunction with diminished Prdx6 levels and loss of redox balance is associated with cellular changes in a variety of ophthalmic pathologies including cataracts, glaucoma, and retinal degeneration. Many of these cellular abnormalities can be rescued through supplementation with exogenous Prdx6. Additionally, corneal endothelial cells have been found to express high levels of Prdx6 in the plasma membrane. These findings highlight the importance of Prdx6 as an essential regulator of oxidative stress in the eye.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Wahlig
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI), Singapore; Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Matthew Lovatt
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI), Singapore
| | - Jodhbir S Mehta
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI), Singapore; Singapore National Eye Center (SNEC), Singapore; Eye-ACP, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore.
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24
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Zarouchlioti C, Sanchez-Pintado B, Hafford Tear NJ, Klein P, Liskova P, Dulla K, Semo M, Vugler AA, Muthusamy K, Dudakova L, Levis HJ, Skalicka P, Hysi P, Cheetham ME, Tuft SJ, Adamson P, Hardcastle AJ, Davidson AE. Antisense Therapy for a Common Corneal Dystrophy Ameliorates TCF4 Repeat Expansion-Mediated Toxicity. Am J Hum Genet 2018; 102:528-539. [PMID: 29526280 PMCID: PMC5985359 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2018.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2018] [Accepted: 02/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is a common disease for which corneal transplantation is the only treatment option in advanced stages, and alternative treatment strategies are urgently required. Expansion (≥50 copies) of a non-coding trinucleotide repeat in TCF4 confers >76-fold risk for FECD in our large cohort of affected individuals. An FECD subject-derived corneal endothelial cell (CEC) model was developed to probe disease mechanism and investigate therapeutic approaches. The CEC model demonstrated that the repeat expansion leads to nuclear RNA foci, with the sequestration of splicing factor proteins (MBNL1 and MBNL2) to the foci and altered mRNA processing. Antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) treatment led to a significant reduction in the incidence of nuclear foci, MBNL1 recruitment to the foci, and downstream aberrant splicing events, suggesting functional rescue. This proof-of-concept study highlights the potential of a targeted ASO therapy to treat the accessible and tractable corneal tissue affected by this repeat expansion-mediated disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Pontus Klein
- ProQR Therapeutics, Zernikedreef 9, 2333 CK Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Petra Liskova
- Research Unit for Rare Diseases, Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Ke Karlovu 2, Prague 128 08, Czech Republic; Department of Ophthalmology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, U nemocnice 2, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Kalyan Dulla
- ProQR Therapeutics, Zernikedreef 9, 2333 CK Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Ma'ayan Semo
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London ECIV 9EL, UK
| | | | - Kirithika Muthusamy
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London ECIV 9EL, UK; Moorfields Eye Hospital, London EC1V 2PD, UK
| | - Lubica Dudakova
- Research Unit for Rare Diseases, Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Ke Karlovu 2, Prague 128 08, Czech Republic
| | - Hannah J Levis
- Institute of Aging and Chronic Disease, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L7 8TX, UK
| | - Pavlina Skalicka
- Research Unit for Rare Diseases, Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Ke Karlovu 2, Prague 128 08, Czech Republic; Department of Ophthalmology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, U nemocnice 2, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Pirro Hysi
- Department of Ophthalmology and Twin Research, King's College London, London SE1 7EH, UK
| | | | - Stephen J Tuft
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London ECIV 9EL, UK; Moorfields Eye Hospital, London EC1V 2PD, UK
| | - Peter Adamson
- ProQR Therapeutics, Zernikedreef 9, 2333 CK Leiden, the Netherlands
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25
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Van den Bogerd B, Ní Dhubhghaill S, Zakaria N. Characterizing human decellularized crystalline lens capsules as a scaffold for corneal endothelial tissue engineering. J Tissue Eng Regen Med 2018; 12:e2020-e2028. [PMID: 29430874 PMCID: PMC5947733 DOI: 10.1002/term.2633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2017] [Revised: 11/07/2017] [Accepted: 12/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The idea of transplanting a sheet of laboratory-grown corneal endothelium dates back to 1978; however, the ideal scaffold is still lacking. We hypothesized that human crystalline lens capsules (LCs) could qualify as a scaffold and aimed to characterize the properties of this material for endothelial tissue engineering. LCs were isolated from donor eyes, stored at -80 °C, and decellularized with water and trypsin-EDTA. The decellularization was investigated by nuclear staining and counting and the capsule thickness was determined by optical coherence tomography and compared with Descemet's membrane (DM). Transparency was examined by spectrometry, and collagenase degradation was performed to evaluate its resistance to degradation. Cell-scaffold interaction was assessed by measuring focal adhesions surface area on LC and plastic. Finally, primary corneal endothelial cells were grown on LCs to validate the phenotype. Trypsin-EDTA decellularized most effectively, removing 99% of cells. The mean LC thickness was 35.76 ± 0.43 μm, whereas DM measured 25.93 ± 0.26 μm (p < .0001). Light transmission was 90% for both LC and DM. On a collagenase challenge, LC and amniotic membrane were digested after 13 hr, whereas DM was digested after 17 hr. The surface area of focal adhesions for cells grown on coated LCs was at least double that compared with other conditions, whereas tight junctions, ion pumps, and hexagonal morphology were well maintained when endothelial cells were cultured on LCs. In conclusion, LCs demonstrate excellent scaffolding properties for tissue engineering and sustain the cell phenotype and can be considered a suitable substrate for ocular tissue engineering or as a template for future scaffolds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bert Van den Bogerd
- Ophthalmology, Visual Optics and Visual Rehabilitation, Translational Neurosciences, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of AntwerpWilrijkBelgium
| | - Sorcha Ní Dhubhghaill
- Ophthalmology, Visual Optics and Visual Rehabilitation, Translational Neurosciences, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of AntwerpWilrijkBelgium
- Department of OphthalmologyAntwerp University HospitalEdegemBelgium
| | - Nadia Zakaria
- Ophthalmology, Visual Optics and Visual Rehabilitation, Translational Neurosciences, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of AntwerpWilrijkBelgium
- Department of OphthalmologyAntwerp University HospitalEdegemBelgium
- Centre for Cell Therapy and Regenerative MedicineAntwerp University HospitalEdegemBelgium
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26
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Peh GSL, Ang HP, Lwin CN, Adnan K, George BL, Seah XY, Lin SJ, Bhogal M, Liu YC, Tan DT, Mehta JS. Regulatory Compliant Tissue-Engineered Human Corneal Endothelial Grafts Restore Corneal Function of Rabbits with Bullous Keratopathy. Sci Rep 2017; 7:14149. [PMID: 29074873 PMCID: PMC5658403 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-14723-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2017] [Accepted: 10/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Corneal transplantation is the only treatment available to restore vision for individuals with blindness due to corneal endothelial dysfunction. However, severe shortage of available donor corneas remains a global challenge. Functional regulatory compliant tissue-engineered corneal endothelial graft substitute can alleviate this reliance on cadaveric corneal graft material. Here, isolated primary human corneal endothelial cells (CEnCs) propagated using a dual media approach refined towards regulatory compliance showed expression of markers indicative of the human corneal endothelium, and can be tissue-engineered onto thin corneal stromal carriers. Both cellular function and clinical adaptability was demonstrated in a pre-clinical rabbit model of bullous keratopathy using a tissue-engineered endothelial keratoplasty (TE-EK) approach, adapted from routine endothelial keratoplasty procedure for corneal transplantation in human patients. Cornea thickness of rabbits receiving TE-EK graft gradually reduced over the first two weeks, and completely recovered to a thickness of approximately 400 µm by the third week of transplantation, whereas corneas of control rabbits remained significantly thicker over 1,000 µm (p < 0.05) throughout the course of the study. This study showed convincing evidence of the adaptability of the propagated CEnCs and their functionality via a TE-EK approach, which holds great promises in translating the use of cultured CEnCs into the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary S L Peh
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore. .,Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Heng-Pei Ang
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Chan N Lwin
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Khadijah Adnan
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Benjamin L George
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore.,Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Xin-Yi Seah
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Shu-Jun Lin
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Maninder Bhogal
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore.,Department of Corneal and External Disease, Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, UK
| | - Yu-Chi Liu
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore.,Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Donald T Tan
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore.,Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore, Singapore.,Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jodhbir S Mehta
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore. .,Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore, Singapore. .,Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore, Singapore. .,School of Material Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore.
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27
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Bartakova A, Alvarez-Delfin K, Weisman AD, Salero E, Raffa GA, Merkhofer RM, Kunzevitzky NJ, Goldberg JL. Novel Identity and Functional Markers for Human Corneal Endothelial Cells. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2017; 57:2749-62. [PMID: 27196322 PMCID: PMC4884060 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.15-18826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Human corneal endothelial cell (HCEC) density decreases with age, surgical complications, or disease, leading to vision impairment. Such endothelial dysfunction is an indication for corneal transplantation, although there is a worldwide shortage of transplant-grade tissue. To overcome the current poor donor availability, here we isolate, expand, and characterize HCECs in vitro as a step toward cell therapy. Methods Human corneal endothelial cells were isolated from cadaveric corneas and expanded in vitro. Cell identity was evaluated based on morphology and immunocytochemistry, and gene expression analysis and flow cytometry were used to identify novel HCEC-specific markers. The functional ability of HCEC to form barriers was assessed by transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) assays. Results Cultured HCECs demonstrated canonical morphology for up to four passages and later underwent endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EnMT). Quality of donor tissue influenced cell measures in culture including proliferation rate. Cultured HCECs expressed identity markers, and microarray analysis revealed novel endothelial-specific markers that were validated by flow cytometry. Finally, canonical HCECs expressed higher levels of CD56, which correlated with higher TEER than fibroblastic HCECs. Conclusions In vitro expansion of HCECs from cadaveric donor corneas yields functional cells identifiable by morphology and a panel of novel markers. Markers described correlated with function in culture, suggesting a basis for cell therapy for corneal endothelial dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alena Bartakova
- Shiley Eye Institute, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States
| | - Karen Alvarez-Delfin
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute and Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States
| | - Alejandra D Weisman
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute and Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States
| | - Enrique Salero
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute and Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States
| | - Gabriella A Raffa
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute and Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States
| | - Richard M Merkhofer
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute and Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States
| | - Noelia J Kunzevitzky
- Shiley Eye Institute, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States 2Bascom Palmer Eye Institute and Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States 3Emmecell, K
| | - Jeffrey L Goldberg
- Shiley Eye Institute, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States 2Bascom Palmer Eye Institute and Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States 4Byers Eye I
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28
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Nagymihály R, Veréb Z, Albert R, Sidney L, Dua H, Hopkinson A, Petrovski G. Cultivation and characterisation of the surface markers and carbohydrate profile of human corneal endothelial cells. Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2017; 45:509-519. [PMID: 28032398 DOI: 10.1111/ceo.12903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2016] [Revised: 11/16/2016] [Accepted: 12/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The study aims to characterise human corneal endothelial cell (HCEnC) cultures generated by the peel-and-digest method based on their surface protein/carbohydrate expression pattern. METHODS Quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to compare expression of vimentin, CD90, Cytokeratin-19, ZO-1 and Claudin 14 in cultured HCEnC and cell line B4G12 versus stromal cells. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting was used to assess surface protein distribution of cultured and uncultured HCEnC. Distribution of surface proteins/carbohydrates was visualised by immunofluorescent and lectin staining. RESULTS Human corneal endothelial cell and B4G12 showed lower expression level for vimentin, CD90, Cytokeratin-19 compared with stromal cells; while ZO-1 was expressed in endothelial cells, Claudin 14 was detected in B4G12 only. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting analyses revealed CD166, CD47, CD44, CD54, CD73, CD90, CD105, CD106, CD112, CD146 and CD325 to be present, with CD34 to be absent from cultured HCEnC. Freshly isolated, non-cultivated HCEnCs were CD90, CD73, CD146 and CD325 positive. Carbohydrates were detected by lectins LCA, PHA E, PHA L, PSA, sWGA, Con A, RCA 120 and WGA, but cultured HCEnC showed negative for GSL I, SBA, DBA, PNA and UEA I. CONCLUSION Cultures established by the peel-and-digest method are probably not prone to stromal contamination, but the cells are likely to undergo endothelial-to mesenchymal transition as suggested by apparent morphological changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richárd Nagymihály
- Stem Cells and Eye Research Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Zoltán Veréb
- Stem Cells and Eye Research Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Réka Albert
- Stem Cells and Eye Research Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Laura Sidney
- Academic Department of Ophthalmology, Division of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Harminder Dua
- Academic Department of Ophthalmology, Division of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Andrew Hopkinson
- Academic Department of Ophthalmology, Division of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Goran Petrovski
- Stem Cells and Eye Research Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary.,Center for Eye Research, Department of Ophthalmology, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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29
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He Z, Forest F, Gain P, Rageade D, Bernard A, Acquart S, Peoc'h M, Defoe DM, Thuret G. 3D map of the human corneal endothelial cell. Sci Rep 2016; 6:29047. [PMID: 27381832 DOI: 10.1038/srep29047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2016] [Accepted: 06/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Corneal endothelial cells (CECs) are terminally differentiated cells, specialized in regulating corneal hydration and transparency. They are highly polarized flat cells that separate the cornea from the aqueous humor. Their apical surface, in contact with aqueous humor is hexagonal, whereas their basal surface is irregular. We characterized the structure of human CECs in 3D using confocal microscopy of immunostained whole corneas in which cells and their interrelationships remain intact. Hexagonality of the apical surface was maintained by the interaction between tight junctions and a submembraneous network of actomyosin, braced like a drum. Lateral membranes, which support enzymatic pumps, presented complex expansions resembling interdigitated foot processes at the basal surface. Using computer-aided design and drafting software, we obtained a first simplified 3D model of CECs. By comparing their expression with those in epithelial, stromal and trabecular corneal cells, we selected 9 structural or functional proteins for which 3D patterns were specific to CECs. This first 3D map aids our understanding of the morphologic and functional specificity of CECs and could be used as a reference for characterizing future cell therapy products destined to treat endothelial dysfunctions.
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30
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Soh YQ, Peh GSL, Mehta JS. Translational issues for human corneal endothelial tissue engineering. J Tissue Eng Regen Med 2016; 11:2425-2442. [DOI: 10.1002/term.2131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2015] [Revised: 11/19/2015] [Accepted: 12/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yu Qiang Soh
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Group; Singapore Eye Research Institute; Singapore
- Singapore National Eye Centre; Singapore
| | - Gary S. L. Peh
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Group; Singapore Eye Research Institute; Singapore
- Ophthalmology Academic Clinical Programme; Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School; Singapore
| | - Jodhbir S. Mehta
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Group; Singapore Eye Research Institute; Singapore
- Singapore National Eye Centre; Singapore
- Ophthalmology Academic Clinical Programme; Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School; Singapore
- Department of Clinical Sciences; Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School; Singapore
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31
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Dorfmueller S, Tan HC, Ngoh ZX, Toh KY, Peh G, Ang HP, Seah XY, Chin A, Choo A, Mehta JS, Sun W. Isolation of a recombinant antibody specific for a surface marker of the corneal endothelium by phage display. Sci Rep 2016; 6:21661. [PMID: 26902886 DOI: 10.1038/srep21661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2015] [Accepted: 01/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell surface antigens are important targets for monoclonal antibodies, but they are often difficult to work with due to their association with the cell membrane. Phage display is a versatile technique that can be applied to generate binders against difficult targets. Here we used antibody phage display to isolate a binder for a rare and specialized cell, the human corneal endothelial cell. The human corneal endothelium is a medically important cell layer; defects in this layer account for about half of all corneal transplants. Despite its importance, no specific antigens have been found to mark this cell type. By panning a phage library directly on human corneal endothelial cells, we isolated an antibody that bound to these cells and not the other types of corneal cells. Subsequently, we identified the antibody's putative target to be CD166 by immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry. This approach can be used to isolate antibodies against other poorly-characterized cell types, such as stem cells or cancer cells, without any prior knowledge of their discriminating markers.
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