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Updated: Aug 7, 2026
Generation of Organotypic Raft Cultures from Primary Human Keratinocytes
Published on: February 22, 2012
Characterization of immortalized human corneal endothelial cell line using HPV 16 E6/E7 on lyophilized human amniotic
Hyun-Ju Kim1, Yang-Hwan Ryu, Jae-Il Ahn
1Department of Ophthalmology, Chung-Ang University Yongsan Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
Purpose:
To establish the immortalized human corneal endothelial cell line (IHCEn) by transducing human papilloma virus (HPV) 16 E6/E7 oncogenes, and to identify their characteristics when cultivated on a lyophilized human amniotic membrane (LAM).
Methods:
Primary human corneal endothelial cells (PHCEn) were infected using a retroviral vector with HPV 16 E6/E7, and transformed cells were clonally selected by G418. Growth properties and characteristics of IHCEn were compared with PHCEn by cell counting and RT-PCR of VDAC3, SLC4A4, CLCN3, FGF-1, Col IV, and Na+/K+ ATPase. IHCEn were cultured on LAM. Messenger RNA expressions of VDAC3, CLCN3, and Na+/K+ ATPase, and protein expressions of Na+/K+ ATPase and Col IV in IHCEn cultivated on LAM were investigated by RT-PCR, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemical staining, respectively.
Results:
Successful immortalization was confirmed by stable expression of HPV 16 E6/E7 mRNA by RT-PCR, and IHCEn exhibited typical corneal endothelial morphology. Doubling time of IHCEn was 30.15 +/- 10.96 hrs. Both IHCEn and PHCEn expressed VDAC3, CLCN3, SLC4A4, FGF-1, Col IV, and Na+/K+ ATPase. IHCEn cultivated on LAM showed stronger expression of VDAC3, CLCN4, and Na+/K+ ATPase mRNA than on plastic culture dish. Immunohistochemical staining and immunofluorescence revealed the positive expression of Na+/K+ ATPase and Col IV.
Conclusions:
IHCEn were successfully established, and LAM is a good substrate for the culture of human corneal endothelial cells.
