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Growth of Human and Sheep Corneal Endothelial Cell Layers on Biomaterial Membranes
Published on: February 6, 2020
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Tissue engineering of corneal endothelium
Tatsuya Mimura1, Seiichi Yokoo2, Satoru Yamagami3
1Department of Ophthalmology, Tokyo Women's Medical University Medical Center East, 2-1-10 Nishiogu, Arakawa-ku, Tokyo 116-8567, Japan. mimurat-tky@umin.ac.jp.
Journal of Functional Biomaterials
|June 24, 2014
Summary
Tissue-engineered corneal endothelium using cultured human corneal endothelial cells (HCECs) offers a promising solution for corneal edema. Transplanted HCECs maintained corneal transparency, suggesting feasibility for DSAEK surgery.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Regenerative Medicine
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- Human corneal endothelial cells (HCECs) lack regenerative capacity, leading to irreversible corneal edema in cases of deficiency.
- Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) is a surgical option, but donor cornea scarcity limits its widespread use.
- Tissue engineering presents a potential alternative to address the donor cornea shortage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current knowledge on tissue engineering of corneal endothelium using cultured HCECs.
- To present recent work on tissue-engineered DSAEK grafts using cultured HCECs.
- To evaluate the feasibility of using cultured HCECs for DSAEK to treat endothelial dysfunction.
Main Methods:
- Cultured DiI-labelled HCECs were seeded onto collagen sheets to reconstruct DSAEK grafts.
- HCEC sheets were transplanted onto the posterior stroma after descemetorhexis in a DSAEK surgical model.
- Corneal transparency and cell survival were monitored throughout the observation period.
Main Results:
- The DSAEK group, utilizing engineered HCEC grafts, did not develop severe stromal edema, unlike the control group.
- Post-transplantation, numerous DiI-labelled HCECs were observed on the posterior corneal surface.
- Histological analysis confirmed a monolayer of transplanted HCECs on Descemet's membrane.
Conclusions:
- Cultured adult HCECs, when transplanted via DSAEK surgery, can successfully maintain corneal transparency.
- Tissue-engineered DSAEK grafts using cultured HCECs demonstrate feasibility for treating corneal endothelial dysfunction.
- This approach offers a potential solution to overcome donor cornea limitations in endothelial keratoplasty.
