Transplantable cultivated mucosal epithelial sheet for ocular surface reconstruction.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Regenerative Medicine
• Tissue Engineering

Background:

• Severe ocular surface disorders require advanced reconstructive therapies.
• Somatic stem cell-based tissue engineering represents a second-generation therapeutic approach.
• Allogeneic corneal and autologous oral mucosal epithelial sheets are potential treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the feasibility of using denuded amniotic membrane as a substrate for cultivated epithelial sheets.
• To evaluate the efficacy of allogeneic corneal epithelial stem cell sheets for ocular surface reconstruction.
• To establish and assess autologous oral mucosal epithelial sheets as a substitute for corneal epithelium.

Main Methods:

• Cultivated corneal epithelial stem cell sheets were co-cultured with 3T3 fibroblasts and air-lifted on denuded amniotic membrane.
• Transplantation of allogeneic human corneal epithelial sheets was performed.
• Autologous oral mucosal epithelial sheets were established and transplanted in rabbits.

Main Results:

• Cultivated epithelial sheets expressed keratin 3 and 12, indicating corneal epithelium specificity.
• Allogeneic sheets achieved ocular surface stability in severe disorders, though some adverse reactions occurred.
• Autologous oral mucosal sheets exhibited corneal-like histology and restored corneal transparency in rabbits.

Conclusions:

• Denuded amniotic membrane is a suitable substrate for cultivating epithelial sheets.
• Allogeneic corneal epithelial sheets are effective for ocular surface reconstruction but carry risks.
• Autologous oral mucosal epithelial sheets show potential as a corneal epithelium substitute.