The Impact of Limbal Mesenchymal Stromal Cells on Healing of Acute Ocular Surface Wounds is Improved by Pre-cultivation and Implantation in the Presence of Limbal Epithelial Cells.

The Impact of Limbal Mesenchymal Stromal Cells on Healing of Acute Ocular Surface Wounds is Improved by Pre-cultivation and Implantation in the Presence of Limbal Epithelial Cells. Cell Transplant. 2019 Jun 17;:963689719858577 Authors: Nili E, Li FJ, Dawson RA, Lau C, McEwan B, Barnett NL, Weier S, Walshe J, Richardson NA, Harkin DG Abstract While limbal epithelial cells are used for treating ocular surface wounds, the therapeutic potential of mesenchymal cells cultivated from the limbal stroma (LMSC) is less clear. We have therefore examined the effects of LMSC when applied to acute ocular surface wounds. LMSC derived from male rabbits (RLMSC) were applied to the ocular surface of female rabbits immediately following removal of the corneal and limbal epithelium. Human amniotic membrane (HAM) was used as the vehicle for implanting the RLMSC. The effects of RLMSC were examined when applied alone (n = 3) and in conjunction with a stratified culture of human limbal epithelial cells (HLE) grown on the opposing surface of the HAM (n = 3). Outcomes were monitored over 3 months in comparison with animals receiving no treatment (n = 3) or treatment with HLE alone on HAM (n = 3). Animals treated with RLMSC (n = 6) displayed faster re-epithelialization (∼90% versus 70% healing after 12 weeks), with best results being observed when RLMSC were pre-cultivated and implanted in the presence of HLE (p < 0.01; 90% healing by 7 weeks). While all ...
Source: Cell Transplantation - Category: Cytology Authors: Tags: Cell Transplant Source Type: research