Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Vivek Singh, Anil Tiwari, Abhinav Reddy Kethiri, Virender Singh Sangwan
Summary: Limbal stem cells play a crucial role in replenishing and maintaining the corneal epithelium. Damage to the limbus can lead to vision loss, for which LSCD is currently treated by transplanting healthy limbal stem cells from donors.
STEM CELLS TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marta Cadenas-Martin, Francisco Arnalich-Montiel, Maria P. De Miguel
Summary: This study developed a protocol for deriving human limbal stem cells (LSCs) from adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) that is compatible with the standard carrier human amniotic membrane. The best protocol achieved optimal differentiation efficiency and will benefit patients with LSC deficiency, aiding in the restoration of vision.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Clemence Bonnet, Denise Oh, Hua Mei, Sarah Robertson, Derek Chang, Jean-Louis Bourges, Francine Behar-Cohen, Jie J. Zheng, Sophie X. Deng
Summary: Research has shown that high levels of Wnt6 can promote the proliferation of LSCs and increase the proportion of stem cells, while reducing the expression of the differentiation marker K12. Wnt6 supplementation in LSC culture activates both canonical and non-canonical Wnt signaling pathways, indicating that the interaction between these two pathways is crucial for regulating LSCs.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Yue Luo, Luying Liu, Yuzhen Liao, Ping Yang, Xiaoqi Liu, Lei Lu, Jiang Chen, Chao Qu
Summary: In this study, a multifunctional baicalin-modified contact lens was developed to modulate the ocular surface microenvironment and promote corneal epithelial cell repair.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ula V. Jurkunas, Jia Yin, Lynette K. Johns, Sanming Li, Helene Negre, Kit L. Shaw, Lassana Samarakoon, Allison R. Ayala, Ahmad Kheirkhah, Kishore Katikireddy, Alex Gauthier, Stephan Ong Tone, Aaron R. Kaufman, Stacey Ellender, Diego E. Hernandez E. Rodriguez, Heather Daley, Reza Dana, Myriam Armant, Jerome Ritz
Summary: In this study, a novel xenobiotic-free, serum-free, antibiotic-free, two-step process was developed to treat unilateral limbal stem cell (LSC) deficiency. Cultivated autologous limbal epithelial cells (CALEC) were generated from limbal biopsies and expanded onto human amniotic membrane with rigorous quality control. The clinical trial showed preliminary feasibility and safety of CALEC transplants in patients with unilateral LSC deficiency, leading to a second phase of recruitment to collect longer term safety and efficacy data.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Zheng Zhong, Alis Balayan, Jing Tian, Yi Xiang, Henry H. Hwang, Xiaokang Wu, Xiaoqian Deng, Jacob Schimelman, Yazhi Sun, Chao Ma, Aurelie Dos Santos, Shangting You, Min Tang, Emmie Yao, Xiaoao Shi, Nicole F. Steinmetz, Sophie X. Deng, Shaochen Chen
Summary: The study utilized bioprinting to fabricate hydrogel scaffolds encapsulating stem cells, investigating the impact of cell-extracellular matrix interaction on LSC phenotypes.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Suksri Chotikavanich, Nitikorn Poriswanish, Angkoon Luangaram, Parwana Numnoi, Ranida Thamphithak, Warinyupa Pinitpuwadol, Mongkol Uiprasertkul, Chareenun Chirapapaisan, Rosanun Sikarinkul, Pinnita Prabhasawat
Summary: This non-comparative cohort study investigated the long-term survival of donor cells after allogenic simple/cultivated limbal epithelial transplantations (allo-SLET/allo-CLET) using genetic analysis. Donor cells were detected in 4 out of 12 patients (25%), all of whom underwent allo-SLET. The longest time of donor cell detection was 30 months. The presence of allogenic donor cells for a specific time may promote the repopulation of patients' own cells, especially for partial limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD).
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Ophthalmology
Xiangyu Ye, Pauline Kang, Rajini Peguda, Sylvia Chau, Melissa Chen, Blanka Golebiowski, Nicole Carnt
Summary: This study found no significant differences in central epithelial cell irregularity and the prominence of palisade of Vogt between extended wearers and daily soft/non-contact lens wearers. However, there was a trend towards increased limbal epithelial cell irregularity in extended soft contact lens wearers.
CONTACT LENS & ANTERIOR EYE
(2022)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Yinghui Wang, Xiaodan Hu, Ke Yang, Yang Zhang, Shijing Deng, Zhiqun Wang, Shang Li, Lei Tian, Ying Jie
Summary: Simple limbal epithelial transplantation (SLET) is a safe and effective surgical technique for treating limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD). Most patients maintained a successful outcome postoperatively with significant improvements in corneal conditions. In vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) and impression cytology (IC) can be utilized to assess surgical effectiveness and cellular transitions after SLET.
STEM CELL RESEARCH & THERAPY
(2021)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Sudan Puri, Isabel Y. Moreno, Mingxia Sun, Sudhir Verma, Xiao Lin, Tarsis F. Gesteira, Vivien J. Coulson-Thomas
Summary: This study found that a hyaluronan (HA) matrix is present in the niche surrounding limbal epithelial stem cells (LESCs) during ex vivo expansion. The presence of both endogenous and exogenous HA was shown to help maintain the LESC phenotype and enhance proliferation, colony formation, and expression of stem cell markers. These findings suggest that HA could be a cost-effective substrate or supplement for culturing LESCs in clinical settings.
STEM CELL RESEARCH & THERAPY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sarah Y. T. Robertson, JoAnn S. Roberts, Sophie X. Deng
Summary: Limbal epithelial stem/progenitor cells (LSCs) reside in a niche with finely tuned balances of various signaling pathways, and respond to molecular signals as well as physical structure. Damage to LSCs or their niche leads to limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD), and understanding the molecular regulation of LSCs is crucial for treating LSCD effectively.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Ophthalmology
Yulia Aziza, Motohiro Itoi, Mayumi Ueta, Tsutomu Inatomi, Shigeru Kinoshita, Chie Sotozono
Summary: The prescription of large-diameter rigid gas-permeable contact lenses for the treatment of ocular surface disorders is increasing, with limbal-rigid CLs offering a smaller diameter and innovative design. These lenses can improve visual acuity and overall quality of life for patients with severe OSDs, making them a valuable and effective treatment strategy.
EYE & CONTACT LENS-SCIENCE AND CLINICAL PRACTICE
(2022)
Article
Ophthalmology
Yulia Aziza, Kojiro Imai, Motohiro Itoi, Hokoru Yoshioka, Seitaro Komai, Koji Kitazawa, Ratna Sitompul, Mayumi Ueta, Hideki Fukuoka, Tsutomu Inatomi, Shigeru Kinoshita, Chie Sotozono
Summary: This study retrospectively analyzed the long-term treatment outcomes of 18 patients with severe ocular surface disease. It found that cultivated oral mucosal epithelial transplantation (COMET) combined with limbal-rigid contact lens (CL)-wear therapy was effective for vision improvement and ocular surface stabilisation.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF OPHTHALMOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Emilio Valdivia, Marina Bertolin, Claudia Breda, Marco Carvalho Oliveira, Anna Katharina Salz, Nicola Hofmann, Martin Boergel, Rainer Blasczyk, Stefano Ferrari, Constanca Figueiredo
Summary: Limbal stem cell transplantation is an efficient treatment for LSC deficiency, with HLA variability posing a challenge for allogeneic graft survival. A genetic engineering strategy was proposed to reduce LSC immunogenicity, resulting in decreased T cell activation and improved survival potential post-transplantation.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Gyeong-Ji Kim, Kwon-Jai Lee, Jeong-Woo Choi, Jeung Hee An
Summary: In this study, a three-dimensional scaffold was fabricated using industrial polylactic acid (PLA) to enhance the proliferation and differentiation of human neural stem cells. The coated scaffold showed increased cell proliferation and motor neuron marker expression.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yu Chiuan Wu, Guan Xuan Wu, Kuan Wei Chen, Li-Yen Shiu, Satheesh Kumar, Guei-Sheung Liu, Shyh Ming Kuo
Summary: This study demonstrates the regenerative capacity of collagen fiber-based 3D ADSC/hepatocyte spheroids in response to TAA-induced liver injury, providing a promising alternative therapeutic strategy for liver cirrhosis.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Jiang-Hui Wang, Ching-Li Tseng, Fan-Li Lin, Jinying Chen, Erh-Hsuan Hsieh, Suraj Lama, Yu-Fan Chuang, Satheesh Kumar, Linxin Zhu, Myra B. McGuinness, Jessika Hernandez, Leilei Tu, Peng-Yuan Wang, Guei-Sheung Liu
Summary: This study demonstrates the important role of TAK1 in the pathogenesis of CoNV and the potential of TAK1 inhibitor, 5Z-7-oxozeaenol, in reducing angiogenesis and promoting pro-angiogenic activity. The gelatin nanoparticle coupled with 5Z-7-oxozeaenol shows promise as a new eyedrop administration model for the treatment of CoNV.
Letter
Ophthalmology
Varun Chandra, Elsie Chan, Maria Cabrera-Aguas, Aaron Bloch, Mary Jo Waters, Mark Daniell, Stephanie L. Watson
CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL OPHTHALMOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Ophthalmology
Minji Song, Qing Yi Fang, Ishith Seth, Paul N. Baird, Mark D. Daniell, Srujana Sahebjada
Summary: This study examined the association between various environmental risk factors and keratoconus through a meta-analysis. The results showed that eye rubbing, atopy, asthma, and eczema were associated with an increased risk of keratoconus. However, further large-scale longitudinal studies are needed to understand the mechanisms between environmental risk factors and keratoconus.
CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL OPTOMETRY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jiang-Hui Wang, Yu-Fan Chuang, Jinying Chen, Vikrant Singh, Fan-Li Lin, Richard Wilson, Leilei Tu, Chenkai Ma, Raymond C. B. Wong, Peng-Yuan Wang, Jingxiang Zhong, Alex W. Hewitt, Peter van Wijngaarden, Gregory J. Dusting, Guei-Sheung Liu
Summary: In this study, we found that miR-143-3p was significantly downregulated in a rat model of oxygen-induced retinopathy. Injection of synthetic miR-143 mimics could effectively improve retinal neovascularization. miR-143 negatively impacted endothelial cell activity through regulating cell-matrix adhesion and mediating hypoxia-inducible factor-1 signaling.
NUCLEIC ACID THERAPEUTICS
(2022)
Review
Ophthalmology
Satheesh Kumar, Lewis E. Fry, Jiang-Hui Wang, Keith R. Martin, Alex W. Hewitt, Fred K. Chen, Guei-Sheung Liu
Summary: Genetic medicine provides hope for previously untreatable diseases, and the eye is at the forefront of these advances. Luxturna(R) is an example of a gene therapy that gained US FDA approval for the treatment of inherited blindness, and other gene therapy clinical trials for eye diseases are ongoing. RNA-targeting systems, such as antisense oligonucleotides (ASO) and RNA interference (RNAi), as well as CRISPR-Cas systems, are emerging as promising strategies for developing therapeutics.
PROGRESS IN RETINAL AND EYE RESEARCH
(2023)
Letter
Ophthalmology
Matthew M. Wilson, Philipp K. Roberts, Mark Daniell
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OPHTHALMOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Keren M. Abberton, Tricia L. McDonald, Mary Diviney, Rhonda Holdsworth, Stephen Leslie, Martin B. Delatycki, Lin Liu, Guy Klamer, Phillip Johnson, Ngaire J. Elwood
Summary: The goal of this study is to create a bank of clinical-grade iPSC lines derived from cord blood. Regulatory challenges, quality standards, and collaboration with relevant organizations have been addressed. Suitable donors were identified through cord blood bank inventory and sequencing. Ethics and government approvals were obtained, and donor safeguards were considered. The feasibility and utility of using banked cord blood for potential cellular therapies have been confirmed.
STEM CELLS TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Jiang-Hui Wang, Fan-Li Lin, Jinying Chen, Linxin Zhu, Yu-Fan Chuang, Leilei Tu, Chenkai Ma, Damien Ling, Alex W. Hewitt, Ching-Li Tseng, Manisha H. Shah, Bang V. Bui, Peter van Wijngaarden, Gregory J. Dusting, Peng-Yuan Wang, Guei-Sheung Liu
Summary: TAK1 plays a regulatory role in inflammatory stimuli-induced endothelial activation and angiogenesis. Inhibition of TAK1 by 5Z-7-oxozeaenol attenuates aberrant retinal angiogenesis in a rat model of oxygen-induced retinopathy. These findings suggest that targeting TAK1 may have therapeutic potential for the treatment of retinal neovascular pathologies.
PHARMACOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Pediatrics
Minji Song, Tanya Chen, Adam Moktar, Elsie Chan, Elaine W. Chong, Mark Daniell, Srujana Sahebjada
Summary: This review examines the current practices, attitudes, and trends in diagnosing and managing keratoconus (KC) by optometrists and ophthalmologists worldwide. It highlights the differences in non-surgical management approaches, prescription rates of rigid gas permeable lenses, timelines and types of referrals for early diagnosis, and milestones for surgical intervention and preferred surgical techniques.
Review
Ophthalmology
Ishith Seth, Gabriella Bulloch, Michael Vine, Joseph Outmezguine, Nimish Seth, James Every, Mark Daniell
Summary: This study investigated the association between keratoconus (KC) and allergic eye diseases, eye rubbing, and atopy. The results showed a significant association between KC and eye rubbing, family history, and allergies, but not with allergic eye disease, atopy, asthma, and allergic rhinitis.
CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL OPHTHALMOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Ya-Chun Chu, Hsu-Wei Fang, Yu-Yi Wu, Yu -Jun Tang, Erh-Hsuan Hsieh, YiZhou She, Che-Yi Chang, I. -Chan Lin, Yin-Ju Chen, Guei-Sheung Liu, Ching -Li Tseng
Summary: In this study, a nanomedicine, GNP-gp91, was successfully synthesized and proved to have a longer retention time on the cornea and effectively treat corneal neovascularization in mice at a low dosing frequency. This finding offers a new strategy for clinical ocular disease treatment.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NANOMEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Ophthalmology
Philipp Roberts, Miriam Keane, Gink Yang, Elsie G. Chan, Damien Harkin, Natalie McKirdy, Mark Daniell, Australian Corneal Graft Registry
Summary: This study compared the graft survival rates of endothelial keratoplasty (EK) versus penetrating keratoplasty (PK) in patients with iridocorneal endothelial (ICE) syndrome, and identified ocular features associated with graft survival. The results showed that EK had a lower survival rate compared to PK in corneal transplantation for ICE syndrome, and a history of raised intraocular pressure was associated with a higher risk of graft failure.
CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL OPHTHALMOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ophthalmology
Jiang-Hui Wang, Raymond C. B. Wong, Guei-Sheung Liu
Summary: In this study, the transcriptomic characteristics and cellular landscape of aging retinas in control individuals and AMD patients were analyzed. Aging genes associated with innate immune response and inflammation in the neural retina were identified. Deconvolution analysis revealed an increased proportion of M2 macrophages with both age and AMD severity, while the proportion of Muller glia only increased with age. Several genes, particularly C1s and MR1, were strongly correlated with the proportion of Muller glia and with age and AMD severity.
INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Ophthalmology
Jiang -Hui Wang, Raymond C. B. Wong, Guei-Sheung Liu
Summary: This study identified genes associated with the severity level of diabetic retinopathy and profiled the immune and retinal cell landscape in progressive diabetic retinopathy. By using likelihood-ratio test and ordinal logistic regression models, 50 genes were identified to be significantly increased in expression with the severity of diabetic retinopathy. Functional enrichment analyses suggested these severity-associated genes are related to inflammation and immune responses. Deconvolution analyses demonstrated that the proportions of memory B cells, M2 macrophages, and Muller glia were significantly increased with the progression of diabetic retinopathy.
INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE
(2022)
