A fibrin-based bioengineered ocular surface with human corneal epithelial stem cells

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Tissue Engineering
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Corneal diseases necessitate innovative tissue replacements.
• Current treatments face limitations in availability and efficacy.
• Bioengineering offers a promising avenue for creating functional ocular tissues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To prepare a bioengineered ocular surface tissue replacement.
• Utilize presumed human corneal epithelial stem cells within a cross-linked fibrin gel.
• Develop a potential transplantable tissue for ocular surface reconstruction.

Main Methods:

• Harvesting and culturing presumed human corneal epithelial stem cells from donor corneas.
• Suspending cells in a fibronectin/fibrin gel cross-linked by factor XIII.
• Cultivating cells within the gel for 15 days and performing immunostaining for keratins.

Main Results:

• The fibrin gel construct with corneal stem cells was manageable and maneuverable.
• Cells stained positive for keratin 3 (AE5), indicating corneal epithelial differentiation.
• Keratin 19 positivity in central cells suggested a primitive stem cell population.

Conclusions:

• A bioengineered ocular surface using corneal stem cells in fibrin gel is a potential improvement for tissue replacement.
• The construct is transportable, pliable, and stable.
• The use of human-derived cells and plasma components allows for potential autologous transplantation.