Establishment of a Canine Corneal Endothelial Cell Line Using Simian Virus 40 Induction.

Area of Science:

• Veterinary ophthalmology
• Cell biology
• Regenerative medicine

Background:

• Primary canine corneal endothelial cells (CECs) are crucial for research but difficult to source.
• Limitations in primary CEC availability hinder basic and translational studies in veterinary ophthalmology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a stable, immortalized canine CEC line.
• To characterize the properties of the immortalized canine CEC line.
• To provide a reliable cell model for veterinary ophthalmology research.

Main Methods:

• Canine corneas were obtained, and CECs were isolated and cultured.
• CECs were immortalized using the simian virus 40 large T antigen gene.
• Immunohistochemistry confirmed expression of CEC markers (zonula occludens-1, Na+/K+-ATPase).

Main Results:

• The immortalized canine CEC line exhibited cobblestone morphology and expressed key CEC markers.
• Cells demonstrated robust in vitro proliferation and maintained characteristics through multiple passages (25-30).
• The established cell line showed stable morphology and proliferative capacity over time.

Conclusions:

• The immortalized canine CEC line possesses high proliferative ability and resembles primary CECs.
• This cell line serves as a valuable model for optimizing culture conditions and testing therapies in veterinary ophthalmology.
• The model supports advancements in cell-based therapies for canine eye conditions.