Quiescent innate and adaptive immune responses maintain the long-term integrity of corneal endothelium reconstituted through allogeneic cell injection therapy.

This study aims to clarify the immunogenicity in acquired and innate immune responses of cultured human corneal endothelial cells (hCECs) applied for cell injection therapy, a newly established modality for corneal endothelium failures. Thirty-four patients with corneal endothelial failure received injection of allogeneic hCEC suspension into anterior chamber. No sign of immunological rejection was observed in all 34 patients during the 5-8 years postoperative follow-up period.

Association of Upregulated Angiogenic Cytokines With Choroidal Abnormalities in Chronic Central Serous Chorioretinopathy.

Purpose: To clarify the distinct molecular pathogenesis of central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) and pachychoroid neovasculopathy (PNV).

Methods: Aqueous humor (AH) was collected from 18 acute CSC, 20 chronic CSC, and 20 PNV patients. Concentrations of 30 cytokines in the AH were analyzed using a multiplex bead immunoassay, and the cytokine profiles were compared among these three groups of patients.

Distinct Aqueous Humour Cytokine Profiles of Patients with Pachychoroid Neovasculopathy and Neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration.

This study investigated the pathophysiological features of pachychoroid neovasculopathy (PNV) and neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) by analysing and comparing cytokine profiles in aqueous humour (AH) collected from 18 PNV, 18 nAMD and 11 control patients. Responses to intravitreal injection of aflibercept were also analysed in the PNV and nAMD groups. In the PNV group, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A was significantly lower than in the nAMD group (p = 0.

Production of Homogeneous Cultured Human Corneal Endothelial Cells Indispensable for Innovative Cell Therapy.

Purpose: Cultured human corneal endothelial cells (cHCECs) are anticipated to become an alternative to donor corneas for the treatment of corneal endothelial dysfunction. The aim of this study was to establish proper culture protocols to successfully obtain a reproducibly homogeneous subpopulation (SP) with matured cHCEC functions and devoid of cell-state transition suitable for cell-injection therapy.

Methods: The presence of SPs in cHCECs was investigated in terms of surface cluster-of-differentiation (CD) marker expression level by flow cytometry, as combined analysis of CD markers can definitively specify the SP (effector cells) conceivably the most suitable for cell therapy among diverse SPs.

MicroRNA Profiles Qualify Phenotypic Features of Cultured Human Corneal Endothelial Cells.

Purpose: To elucidate a noninvasive method to qualify and identify cultured human corneal endothelial cells (cHCECs) devoid of cell-state transition and adaptable for cell-based therapy.

Methods: The variations of cHCECs in their composition of heterogeneous subpopulations (SPs) were verified in relation to their surface cluster-of-differentiation (CD) markers and their morphology. The profiles of microRNA (miRNA) in cultured cells or supernatants were detected by 3D-Gene Human microRNA Chips (Toray Industries, Inc.

Cell Homogeneity Indispensable for Regenerative Medicine by Cultured Human Corneal Endothelial Cells.

Purpose: To identify the subpopulation (SP) among heterogeneous cultured human corneal endothelial cells (cHCECs) devoid of cell-state transition applicable for cell-based therapy.

Methods: Subpopulation presence in cHCECs was confirmed via surface CD-marker expression level by flow cytometry. CD markers effective for distinguishing distinct SPs were selected by analyzing those on established cHCECs with a small cell area and high cell density.

The Different Binding Properties of Cultured Human Corneal Endothelial Cell Subpopulations to Descemet's Membrane Components.

Purpose: To clarify the adherent properties of cultured human corneal endothelial cell (cHCEC) subpopulations (SPs).

Methods: Each SP was prepared by controlling the culture conditions or by using magnetic cell separation, and then confirmed by staining with several cell-surface markers. Binding abilities of HCEC SPs were examined by adding the cells to culture plates immobilized with collagens, laminins, or proteoglycans, and then centrifuging the plates.

A common sequence motif involved in selection of transcription start sites of Arabidopsis and budding yeast tRNA genes.

The transcription start site (TSS) is useful to predict gene and to understand transcription initiation. Although vast data on mRNA TSSs are available, little is known about tRNA genes because of rapid processing. Using a tobacco in vitro transcription system under conditions of impaired 5' end processing, TSSs were determined for 64 Arabidopsis tRNA genes.