Publications by authors named "Kazuya Kakutani"
Purpose: To develop analysis software for cultured human corneal endothelial cells (HCECs).
Methods: Software was designed to recognize cell borders and to provide parameters such as cell density, coefficient of variation, and polygonality of cultured HCECs based on phase contrast images. Cultured HCECs with high or low cell density were incubated with Ca-free and Mg-free phosphate-buffered saline for 10 minutes to reveal the cell borders and were then analyzed with software (n = 50).
Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate which amino acid(s) among the 20 standard protein amino acids is indispensable for the survival of cultured human corneal endothelial cells (HCECs).
Methods: HCECs were cultured in amino acid screening media that were missing 1 specific amino acid, and cell growth was evaluated. After this first selection, we conducted a further evaluation of cell growth in response to the addition of 4 amino acids (cysteine, methionine, valine, and arginine) to amino acid-free culture media.
Article Synopsis
- The corneal endothelium is crucial for maintaining clear vision, and its failure leads to severe vision loss, necessitating corneal transplantation, which has challenges like donor shortages and graft failure.
- Researchers are exploring regenerative medicine to treat corneal endothelial dysfunction, having previously shown that injecting cultured corneal endothelial cells (CECs) with a Rho kinase inhibitor can regenerate the endothelium in animal models.
- This study focused on creating a safer and more effective cell therapy vehicle (CTV) by optimizing the culture medium, resulting in successful engraftment and restoration of corneal transparency in a rabbit model, indicating its potential for clinical applications.
Purpose: Ripasudil (Glanatec), a selective rho-associated coiled coil-containing protein kinase (ROCK) inhibitor, was approved as a glaucoma and ocular hypertension treatment in Japan in 2014. The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of using ripasudil eye drops to treat corneal endothelial injuries.
Methods: Cultured human corneal endothelial cells (HCECs) were treated with ripasudil, and 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation was evaluated by ELISA.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the usefulness of laminin isoforms as substrates for culturing human corneal endothelial cells (HCECs) for clinical application of tissue engineering therapy.
Methods: Expression of specific laminin chains in human corneal endothelium and Descemet's membrane was analyzed at the mRNA and protein levels. The effect of laminin-511 and -521 on cell adhesion and proliferation was evaluated.