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allied
academies
Cell Science, Stem Cell Research &
Pharmacological Regenerative Medicine
November 29-30, 2017 | Atlanta, USA
Annual Congress on
Adv cel sci tissue cul 2017 | Volume 1 Issue 2
Purpose:
Explore the feasibility of differentiating skin stem
cells into corneal endothelial cell-like cells (CEC-like cells) to
cure corneal endothelial dysfunction.
Methods:
Human skin stem cells were cocultured with
corneal endothelial cells (CECs) through transwell coculture
system to obtain CEC-like cells. CEC-like cells were identified
by immunofluorescence, real time RT-PCR, western blotting.
Dil-labeled CEC-like cells were transplanted into the rabbit’s
corneal endothelial dysfunction models to detect the cell
function
in vivo
. Histological examination of corneas was
performed to detect CEC-like cells attachment.
Results:
CEC-like cells could be derived from skin stem
cells and they had similar morphology and characteristic
to CECs. They expressed major markers of CECs, such as
Na+/K+ ATPase alpha 1, zonula occludens-1 and other
functional markers. The expression levels of differentiation
transcription factors FoxC1 and Pitx2 were also significantly
upregulated compared with skin stem cells. CEC-like cells
were transplanted into the rabbit’s corneal endothelial
dysfunction models, their corneal transparency and the
thickness recovered while the control groups remain opaque.
Histological examination showed Dil-labed CEC-like cells
covered nearly full Descemet’s membrane and expressed
Na+/K+ ATPase in CEC-like cells injected group while almost
no cells were detected on Descemet’s membranes in control
group.
Conclusions:
This protocol enables efficient production of
CEC-like cells fromskin stemcells and these CEC-like cells have
therapeutic effect in corneal endothelial dysfunction model.
The renewable cell source and novel deriving method may
lead to potential applications in cell replacement therapy for
corneal endothelial dysfunction.
e:
xywu8868@163.comAlternative therapy of corneal endothelial dysfunction using skin-derived precursors
Xinyi Wu
and
Lin Shen
Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, China