Influence of Biochemical Cues in Human Corneal Stromal Cell Phenotype

To identify biochemical cues that could promote a keratocyte-like phenotype in human corneal stromal cells that had become fibroblastic when expanded in serum-supplemented media while also examining the effect on cell proliferation and migration.

Proliferation was assessed by PrestoBlue^™, morphology was monitored by phase contrast microscopy, phenotype was analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), immunochemistry and flow cytometry, and migration was studied with a scratch assay.

Ascorbic Acid (AA), Retinoic Acid (RA), Insulin-Transferrin-Selenium (ITS), Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1) and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX) promoted a dendritic morphology, increased the expression of keratocyte markers, such as keratocan, aldehyde dehydrogenase 3 family member A1 (ALDH3A1) and CD34, and prevented myofibroblast differentiation, while in some cases increasing proliferation. Transforming Growth Factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) and 3 (TGF-β3) promoted the differentiation toward myofibroblasts, with increased expression of α-SMA. Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 (FGF-2) supported a fibroblastic phenotype while Platelet-Derived Growth Factor Homodimer B (PDGF-BB) induced a pro-migratory fibroblastic phenotype. A combination of all the pro-keratocyte factors was also compared to the serum-free only, which significantly increased CD34 and keratocan expression.

Partially recovery towards a quiescent keratocyte-like phenotype was achieved by the removal of serum and the addition of AA, IGF-1, RA, ITS and IBMX to a basal medium. These findings can be used to develop cell-based corneal therapies and to study corneal diseases in vitro.