Conjunctiva derived mesenchymal stem cell (CJMSCs) as a potential platform for differentiation into corneal epithelial cells on bioengineered electrospun scaffolds

Abstract

With the aid of tissue engineering, the capability of nanofibrous scaffolds was examined for corneal epithelial differentiation of Conjunctiva mesenchymal stem cells (CJMSCs) as a new source. This study tried to provide a synthetic corneal sheet which could be applied in corneal regeneration. The hybrid arrangement of fine Silk fibers with the diameter of 93.65 nm and the polyurethane (PU) fibers with an average diameter of 575.5 makes a mat with sufficient mechanical properties and interconnected pores that could accelerate nutrient diffusion. After methanol and plasma treatment, the highest biocompatibility of Silk-PU hybrid nanofibrous scaffolds based on cell attachment and proliferation were proven using MTT assay. The differentiation morphology of cells was observed by SEM micrographs of cells seeded on the scaffold after 12 days treatment through the differentiation medium. Despite up-regulation of Cytokeratin (CK)3, CK8, CK12, Desmocollin (DSC)1, and Desmoglein (DSG)1 in the treated PU and silk hybrid nanofibrous scaffolds, the relative expression of CK3, CK8, and CK12 genes were highest among TCP, treated PU and silk nanofibrous scaffolds. Immunocytochemistry (ICC) analysis was used to characterize the protein expression of CK3 in CJ-MSCs seeded on different groups. Although, For both TCP and hybrid group, CJ-MSCs were positive for corneal epithelial-specific marker CK3, ICC data demonstrated that CJ-MSCs seeded on the hybrid group likewise PU or Silk pure nanofibrous scaffolds, could differentiate into corneal epithelial-like cells. Finally, it was inferred that the hybrid PU and silk nanofibrous scaffold has the potential for the treatment of corneal epithelium. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 2703-2711, 2017.

Surface modification of neurotrophin‐3 loaded PCL/chitosan nanofiber/net by alginate hydrogel microlayer for enhanced biocompatibility in neural tissue engineering

“…The final goal of this study was the differentiation of the CJMSCs as a new source of stem cells to neuron‐like cells. One of the most priorities of CJMSCs in comparison with other adult stem cells is their ectoderm origin, so there is no need to use the complicated and expensive reprogramming process 72 . The NT‐3, the neurotrophin family's growth factor, is a key factor in neuron viability and axonal growth during embryonic development.…”

Development of corneal epithelial cell sheet construct from trans-differentiated bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells

“…21 In another study, Soleimanifar et al reported the differentiation of conjunctival MSC into corneal epithelial cells. 22 Hence it is an established concept that limbus derived cells are capable of transdifferentiating MSCs. In this study, four potential markers related to trans differentiation of BMSCs like CK3, CK12, ABCG2 and P63 were evaluated.…”

Recent Advances in Natural Materials for Corneal Tissue Engineering

“…Silk fibroin, a natural protein extracted from Bombyx mori cocoons, can be formed into films and scaffolds with tunable degradation and mechanical strength with non-immunogenic responses in vivo [ 38 , 80 , 81 ]. Use of silk fibroin as a film or scaffolds for corneal tissue replacement [ 82 , 83 , 84 , 85 , 86 , 87 , 88 , 89 , 90 , 91 , 92 , 93 , 94 , 95 , 96 , 97 , 98 , 99 , 100 ] remains an active area of research, as outlined in Table 3 . Silk films and membranes can be fabricated through simple evaporation or electrospinning.…”