Suppressing Pro-Apoptotic Proteins by siRNA in Corneal Endothelial Cells Protects against Cell Death.

Corneal endothelial cells (CE) are critical for the cornea's transparency. For severe corneal damage, corneal tissue transplantation is the most promising option for restoring vision. However, CE apoptotic cell death occurs during the storage of donor corneas for transplantation.

Interleukin-13 increases the stemness of limbal epithelial stem cells cultures.

This study aimed to determine the effect of interleukin-13 (IL13) on the stemness, differentiation, proliferation, clonogenicity, and morphology of cultured limbal epithelial cells (LECs). Human limbal explants were used to culture LECs up to the second passage (P0-P2) with or without IL13 (IL13+ and IL13-, respectively). Cells were analyzed by qPCR (for the expression of ΔNp63α, BMI-1, keratin (K) 3, K7, K12, K14, K17, mucin 4, and MKI67) and immunofluorescence staining for p63α.

Discontinuous transcription of ribosomal DNA in human cells.

Numerous studies show that various genes in all kinds of organisms are transcribed discontinuously, i.e. in short bursts or pulses with periods of inactivity between them.

Interleukin-13 maintains the stemness of conjunctival epithelial cell cultures prepared from human limbal explants.

To use human limbal explants as an alternative source for generating conjunctival epithelium and to determine the effect of interleukin-13 (IL-13) on goblet cell number, mucin expression, and stemness. Human limbal explants prepared from 17 corneoscleral rims were cultured with or without IL-13 (IL-13+ and IL-13-, respectively) and followed up to passage 2 (primary culture [P0]-P2). Cells were characterized by alcian blue/periodic acid-Schiff (AB/PAS) staining (goblet cells); immunofluorescent staining for p63α (progenitor cells), Ki-67 (proliferation), MUC5AC (mucin, goblet cells), and keratin 7 (K7, conjunctival epithelial and goblet cells); and by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction for expression of the p63α (TP63), MUC5AC, MUC4 (conjunctival mucins), K3, K12 (corneal epithelial cells), and K7 genes.

Antimicrobial efficiency and stability of two decontamination solutions.

Two decontamination solutions, commercially produced BASE•128 and laboratory decontamination solution (LDS), with analogous content of antibiotic and antimycotic agents, were compared in their antimicrobial efficiency and stability (pH and osmolarity). Both solutions were compared immediately after thawing aliquots frozen for 1, 3 or 6 months. Agar well diffusion method was used to test their antimicrobial efficiency against five human pathogens: Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis.

Characterization and comparison of human limbal explant cultures grown under defined and xeno-free conditions.

Human limbal epithelial cells (LECs) intended for treatment of limbal stem cell deficiency are commonly cultivated on a 3T3 feeder layer with complex culture medium supplemented with fetal bovine serum (FBS). However, FBS is a xenogeneic component containing poorly characterised constituents and exhibits quantitative and qualitative lot-to-lot variations. Human limbal explants were plated on untreated or fibrin coated plastic plates and cultured in two non-xenogeneic media (supplemented with either human serum or platelet lysate only).

The enzymatic de-epithelialization technique determines denuded amniotic membrane integrity and viability of harvested epithelial cells.

The human amniotic membrane (HAM) is widely used for its wound healing effect in clinical practice, as a feeder for the cell cultivation, or a source of cells to be used in cell therapy. The aim of this study was to find effective and safe enzymatic HAM de-epithelialization method leading to harvesting of both denuded undamaged HAM and viable human amniotic epithelial cells (hAECs). The efficiency of de-epithelialization using TrypLE Express, trypsin/ ethylenediaminetetraacetic (EDTA), and thermolysin was monitored by hematoxylin and eosin staining and by the measurement of DNA concentration.

Comparison of impact of two decontamination solutions on the viability of the cells in human amnion.

Human amniotic membrane (HAM) is used as an allograft in regenerative medicine or as a source of pluripotent cells for stem cell research. Various decontamination protocols and solutions are used to sterilize HAM before its application, but little is known about the toxicity of disinfectants on HAM cells. In this study, we tested two decontamination solutions, commercial (BASE·128) and laboratory decontamination solution (LDS), with an analogous content of antimycotic/antibiotics for their cytotoxic effect on HAM epithelial (EC) and mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC).

Treatment of alkali-injured cornea by cyclosporine A-loaded electrospun nanofibers - An alternative mode of therapy.

In this study we tried to develop a new approach to suppress inflammation and neovascularization in the alkali-injured rabbit cornea. For this reason Cyclosporine A (CsA)-loaded electrospun nanofibers were transferred onto the ocular surface injured with alkali (0.25 N NaOH).

The Favorable Effect of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Treatment on the Antioxidant Protective Mechanism in the Corneal Epithelium and Renewal of Corneal Optical Properties Changed after Alkali Burns.

The aim of this study was to examine whether mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and/or corneal limbal epithelial stem cells (LSCs) influence restoration of an antioxidant protective mechanism in the corneal epithelium and renewal of corneal optical properties changed after alkali burns. The injured rabbit corneas (with 0.25 N NaOH) were untreated or treated with nanofiber scaffolds free of stem cells, with nanofiber scaffolds seeded with bone marrow MSCs (BM-MSCs), with adipose tissue MSCs (Ad-MSCs), or with LSCs.

The Supportive Role of Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I in the Differentiation of Murine Mesenchymal Stem Cells into Corneal-Like Cells.

This study was focused on characterizing the differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into corneal-like cells. Mouse MSCs were isolated from the bone marrow, grown in cell culture for 3 weeks, and purified using a magnetic activated cell sorter. Purified MSCs were cultured with an extract prepared from excised corneas and in the presence or absence of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I).

Transfer of mesenchymal stem cells and cyclosporine A on alkali-injured rabbit cornea using nanofiber scaffolds strongly reduces corneal neovascularization and scar formation.

The aim of this study was to examine whether nanofiber scaffolds seeded with rabbit bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs nanofibers) transferred onto the damaged corneal surface and covered with cyclosporine A (CsA)-loaded nanofiber scaffolds (CsA nanofibers) enable healing of the rabbit cornea injured with 1N NaOH. The healing of damaged corneas was examined morphologically, immunohistochemically and biochemically on day 24 after the injury. Compared to untreated injured corneas, where corneal ulceration or large corneal thinning or even perforation were developed, injured corneas treated with drug free nanofibers healed without profound disturbances in a majority of cases, although with fibrosis and scar formation.

Suppression of IL-10 production by activated B cells via a cell contact-dependent cyclooxygenase-2 pathway upregulated in IFN-γ-treated mesenchymal stem cells.

The immunoregulatory properties of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been well documented in various models in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, a population of regulatory B cells (Bregs) that produce relatively high concentrations of IL-10 has been recently described. To study the relationship between MSCs and Bregs, we analyzed the effects of MSCs on IL-10 production by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated mouse B cells.

A Comparative Study of the Therapeutic Potential of Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Limbal Epithelial Stem Cells for Ocular Surface Reconstruction.

Unlabelled: Stem cell-based therapy has become an attractive and promising approach for the treatment of severe injuries or thus-far incurable diseases. However, the use of stem cells is often limited by a shortage of available tissue-specific stem cells; therefore, other sources of stem cells are being investigated and tested. In this respect, mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) have proven to be a promising stem cell type.

Targeted neural differentiation of murine mesenchymal stem cells by a protocol simulating the inflammatory site of neural injury.

Damaged neural tissue is regenerated by neural stem cells (NSCs), which represent a rare and difficult-to-culture cell population. Therefore, alternative sources of stem cells are being tested to replace a shortage of NSCs. Here we show that mouse adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can be effectively differentiated into cells expressing neuronal cell markers.

A local application of mesenchymal stem cells and cyclosporine A attenuates immune response by a switch in macrophage phenotype.

The immunosuppressive effects of systemically administered mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and immunosuppressive drugs have been well documented. We analysed the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effect of MSCs applied locally in combination with non-specific immunosuppression in a mouse model of allogeneic skin transplantation. The MSC-seeded and cyclosporine A (CsA)-loaded nanofibre scaffolds were applied topically to skin allografts in a mouse model and the local immune response was assessed and characterized.

Modulation of the early inflammatory microenvironment in the alkali-burned eye by systemically administered interferon-γ-treated mesenchymal stromal cells.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of systemically administered bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) on the early acute phase of inflammation in the alkali-burned eye. Mice with damaged eyes were either untreated or treated 24 h after the injury with an intravenous administration of fluorescent-dye-labeled MSCs that were unstimulated or pretreated with interleukin-1α (IL-1α), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), or interferon-γ (IFN-γ). Analysis of cell suspensions prepared from the eyes of treated mice on day 3 after the alkali burn revealed that MSCs specifically migrated to the damaged eye and that the number of labeled MSCs was more than 30-times higher in damaged eyes compared with control eyes.

Distinct cytokines balance the development of regulatory T cells and interleukin-10-producing regulatory B cells.

Regulatory T cells have been well described and the factors regulating their development and function have been identified. Recently, a growing body of evidence has documented the existence of interleukin-10 (IL-10) -producing B cells, which are called regulatory B10 cells. These cells attenuate autoimmune, inflammatory and transplantation reactions, and the main mechanism of their inhibitory action is the production of IL-10.

Suppression of alkali-induced oxidative injury in the cornea by mesenchymal stem cells growing on nanofiber scaffolds and transferred onto the damaged corneal surface.

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether rabbit bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) effectively decrease alkali-induced oxidative stress in the rabbit cornea. The alkali (0.15 N NaOH) was applied on the corneas of the right eyes and then rinsed with tap water.

The healing of alkali-injured cornea is stimulated by a novel matrix regenerating agent (RGTA, CACICOL20): a biopolymer mimicking heparan sulfates reducing proteolytic, oxidative and nitrosative damage.

The efficacy of a chemically modified dextran - heparan sulfate mimicking regenerating agent (RGTA) on the healing of the rabbit cornea injured with alkali was examined. The eyes were injured with 0.15 N NaOH applied on the cornea or with 1.

The growth and delivery of mesenchymal and limbal stem cells using copolymer polyamide 6/12 nanofiber scaffolds.

The injured or otherwise damaged cornea is healed by limbal stem cells (LSC). If the limbus where LSC reside is also damaged or nonfunctional, the cornea cannot heal properly and this defect leads to impaired vision that can result in blindness. The only way to treat total LSC deficiency is by transplantation of limbal tissue or a transfer of LSC.

The key role of insulin-like growth factor I in limbal stem cell differentiation and the corneal wound-healing process.

Limbal stem cells (LSC), which reside in the basal layer of the limbus, are thought to be responsible for corneal epithelial healing after injury. When the cornea is damaged, LSC start to proliferate, differentiate, and migrate to the site of injury. To characterize the signaling molecules ensuring communication between the cornea and LSC, we established a mouse model of mechanical corneal damage.

Cyclosporine A-loaded and stem cell-seeded electrospun nanofibers for cell-based therapy and local immunosuppression.

Cyclosporine A (CsA), a potent immunosuppressive drug with low water solubility, was dissolved in poly(L-lactic acid) (PLA) solution, and nanofibers were fabricated from this mixture by electrospinning technology. The addition of CsA into the PLA solution and the conditions of the electrospinning process did not influence the structure of the nanofibers nor affect the pharmacological activity of CsA. Study of the CsA release behavior in culture medium showed a release for at least 96 h.

The role of mouse mesenchymal stem cells in differentiation of naive T-cells into anti-inflammatory regulatory T-cell or proinflammatory helper T-cell 17 population.

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) modulate immune response and can produce significant levels of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). These 2 cytokines represent the key factors that reciprocally regulate the development and polarization of naive T-cells into regulatory T-cell (Treg) population or proinflammatory T helper 17 (Th17) cells. In the present study we demonstrate that MSCs and their products effectively regulate expression of transcription factors Foxp3 and RORγt and control the development of Tregs and Th17 cells in a population of alloantigen-activated mouse spleen cells or purified CD4(+)CD25(-) T-cells.