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Updated: Feb 2, 2026
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In Vitro and In Vivo Models to Study Corneal Endothelial-mesenchymal Transition
Published on: August 20, 2016
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A Rabbit Corneal Endothelial Dysfunction Model Using Endothelial-Mesenchymal Transformed Cells.
Kazuya Yamashita1, Shin Hatou1, Emi Inagaki1
1Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
Scientific Reports
|November 17, 2018
Summary
Researchers developed a new rabbit model for bullous keratopathy by inducing endothelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT) in corneal endothelial cells. This model shows persistent disease, unlike spontaneous healing in other rabbit corneal wounds, aiding research into corneal endothelial dysfunction therapies.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Regenerative Medicine
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Rabbit corneal wounds typically heal spontaneously, unlike in humans.
- Corneal endothelial dysfunction leads to bullous keratopathy, a serious visual impairment.
- Developing reliable animal models is crucial for studying disease mechanisms and testing therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a novel rabbit model of bullous keratopathy.
- To utilize rabbit corneal endothelial cells (RCECs) induced to undergo endothelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT).
- To investigate the persistence of induced bullous keratopathy for pre-clinical therapeutic development.
Main Methods:
- Endothelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT) was induced in RCECs using TGFβ and basic FGF.
- Corneal endothelium was mechanically scraped in recipient rabbits.
- EMT-induced RCECs (EMT-RCECs) were injected into the anterior chamber.
- Control groups included fresh RCECs injection and scraping without cell injection.
Main Results:
- Bullous keratopathy persisted for 42 days in the EMT-RCECs group.
- Control groups (Fresh RCECs and Scrape) showed corneal recovery within 7 days.
- Alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), a fibroblast marker, was elevated in EMT-RCECs and Scrape groups.
- No damage to other intraocular structures or changes in intraocular pressure were observed.
Conclusions:
- The developed rabbit model exhibits persistent bullous keratopathy, mimicking human disease.
- This model is suitable for pre-clinical evaluation of novel therapies for corneal endothelial dysfunction.
- Spontaneous healing observed in other rabbit corneal wound models does not apply to this induced EMT model.
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