Cell jamming, stratification and p63 expression in cultivated human corneal epithelial cell sheets

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Stem Cell Biology
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Cultivated human corneal epithelial cell sheets are utilized for treating limbal stem cell deficiencies.
• Assessing the quality and regenerative potential of these cell sheets is crucial for successful transplantation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the quality of cultivated human corneal epithelial cell sheets.
• To explore the phenomenon of cell jamming and its relationship with cell sheet stratification and p63 expression.

Main Methods:

• Time-lapse imaging was employed to monitor cell culture every 20 minutes over 14 days.
• Cell jamming, characterized by smaller, rounded, and less expansive cells, was quantified.
• Expression of p63, a corneal epithelial stem cell marker, was assessed in parallel.

Main Results:

• Cell jamming was observed to be variable and transient.
• Cell jamming consistently correlated with increased cell sheet thickening and stratification.
• p63 expression was detected in expanding cell sheets within the first 9 days but did not always correlate with stratification or persist in stratified sheets.

Conclusions:

• Cell jamming is a significant indicator of cultivated human corneal epithelial cell sheet quality.
• Assessing cell jamming provides valuable insights into the regenerative potential of these cell sheets.
• This assessment method can aid in optimizing cell sheet culture for improved transplantation outcomes.