Limbal Stem-Cell Therapy and Long-Term Corneal Regeneration

Abstract

Cultures of limbal stem cells represent a source of cells for transplantation in the treatment of destruction of the human cornea due to burns.

Human-Derived Feeder Fibroblasts for the Culture of Epithelial Cells For Clinical use

“…The number of stem cells in limbal epithelial cultures for the treatment of LSCD is important for clinical success. A minimum of 3% stem cells (detected as p63-bright holoclone forming stem cells) in such cultures has been shown to be associated with successful transplants [22]. In this study the epithelial cells were cultured as a monolayer.…”

“…Since CK12 was not expressed in any of the oral epithelial cultures in this study, and PAX6 and MUC16 were not significantly different for HOME co-cultured with limbal or epithelial fibroblasts our data suggests that more than just fibroblasts are required to direct HOME towards a more corneal-like phenotype.An advantage of feeder layer pre-expansion of epithelial cells over explant techniques for cell therapy, is the provision of sufficient cells for quality control testing e.g. p63 [22]. Pre-expansion also facilitates greater characterisation of the cells.…”

Will Regenerative Medicine Replace Transplantation?

“…Although none of the immunology-based presumed tolerogenic strategies have ever been able to achieve these goals, regenerative medicine technologies have permitted the bioengineering of relatively simple, hollow organs from a patient's own cells. These organs have been implanted in more than 160 patients suffering from different medical conditions without the need for antirejection treatment (Romagnoli et al 1990;Pellegrini et al 1997;Quarto et al 2001;Shinoka et al 2001;Warnke et al 2004;Atala et al 2006;Macchiarini et al 2008;McAllister et al 2009;Mertsching et al 2009;Baiguera et al 2010;Hibino et al 2010;Rama et al 2010;Junglebuth et al 2011;Elliott et al 2012;Olausson et al 2012;Orlando et al 2012b). Importantly, these figures far exceed the number of organ recipients who have been successfully weaned off all immunosuppression in the immediate postoperative period.…”

“…Moreover, the perfusion pump may also be considered the precursor of the bioreactors commonly used nowadays in tissue and organ bioengineering, which are sealed mechanical chambers designed to provide appropriate environmental conditions for cellular activity and welfare (Badylak et al 2012). Carrel's pioneering developments on both fronts of organ transplantation and regenerative medicine occurred decades before either became clinical realities, and almost a century before the successful implantation in patients of bioengineered tissues or organs (Romagnoli et al 1990;Pellegrini et al 1997;Quarto et al 2001;Shinoka et al 2001;Warnke et al 2004;Atala et al 2006;Macchiarini et al 2008;McAllister et al 2009;Mertsching et al 2009;Baiguera et al 2010;Hibino et al 2010;Rama et al 2010;Junglebuth et al 2011;Elliott et al 2012;Olausson et al 2012), or the early attempts to bioengineer more complex organs for transplant purposes (Ott et al 2008(Ott et al , 2010Ross et al 2009;Petersen et al 2010;Uygun et al 2010;Wainwright et al 2010;Baptista et al 2011;Hammond et al 2011;Soto-Gutierrez 2011;Barakat et al 2012;Hata et al 2012;Orlando et al 2012a;Yagi et al 2012). …”

Cell motion predicts human epidermal stemness

“…Holoclones are eventually converted into meroclones or paraclones during serial cultivation Rochat et al, 2012), and the loss of holoclones hinders successful transplantation (Rama et al, 2010;Pellegrini et al, 2013). Hence, for regenerative medicine, the determination of number of holoclones in a keratinocyte culture is the best criteria to assess quality (Rama et al, 2010;Barrandon et al, 2012;Rochat et al, 2012;Pellegrini et al, 2013).…”