Impact of cell source on human cornea reconstructed by tissue engineering

Area of Science:

• Tissue engineering
• Ophthalmology
• Cell biology

Background:

• Corneal tissue engineering aims to create functional substitutes for damaged corneas.
• Understanding epithelial-stromal interactions is crucial for successful corneal regeneration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how the tissue origin of stromal fibroblasts and epithelial cells affects reconstructed corneas in vitro.
• To explore the role of cell source in epithelial differentiation and tissue homeostasis.

Main Methods:

• Constructed four types of human corneal tissue models using corneal or skin fibroblasts and epithelial cells.
• Cultured cells using a self-assembly approach with ascorbic acid and an air-liquid interface.
• Analyzed macroscopic, histologic, and functional properties (transparency, UV absorption).
• Assessed cytokine expression in conditioned media and its effect on tissue development.

Main Results:

• Cell origin significantly influenced macroscopic, histologic (thickness, differentiation), and functional (transparency) features of reconstructed corneas.
• Reconstructed corneas exhibited UV-absorption similar to native human cornea.
• Mesenchyme-derived diffusible factors regulated epithelial differentiation and thickness.
• Interleukin-6 (IL-6) from corneal fibroblasts reduced epidermal differentiation marker DLK expression.

Conclusions:

• The tissue source of both fibroblasts and epithelial cells is critical for the properties of engineered corneal tissues.
• These human in vitro models offer valuable insights into epithelial-stromal interactions and epithelial homeostasis regulation.