Toward Corneal Limbus In Vitro Model: Regulation of hPSC-LSC Phenotype by Matrix Stiffness and Topography During Cell Differentiation Process.

ABSTRACT: A functional limbal epithelial stem cells (LSC) niche is a vital element in the regular renewal of the corneal epithelium by LSCs and maintenance of good vision. However, little is known about its unique structure and mechanical properties on LSC regulation, creating a significant gap in development of LSC-based therapies. Herein, the effect of mechanical and architectural elements of the niche on human pluripotent derived LSCs (hPSC-LSC) phenotype and growth is investigated in vitro. Specifically, three formulations of polyacrylamide gels with different controlled stiffnesses are used for culture and characterization of hPSC-LSCs from different stages of differentiation. In addition, limbal mimicking topography in polydimethylsiloxane is utilized for culturing hPSC-LSCs at early time poin

SUBMITTER: Kauppila M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11468526 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature