Pluripotent stem cell-derived corneal endothelial cells as an alternative to donor corneal endothelium in keratoplasty.

ABSTRACT: Here, we evaluate the efficacy of cryopreserved human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived corneal endothelial cells (CECs) to form a functional monolayer of corneal endothelium (CE) in rabbits and monkeys. We injected cryopreserved hESC-derived CECs into the anterior chamber of rabbits and monkeys either immediately after mechanical scraping of the central CE or a few days later when corneal edema developed. All preclinical models developed deturgesced and clear corneas following the injection of cryopreserved hESC-derived CECs and remained comparable to the corneas of the untreated eye. Confocal scanning microscopy confirmed an intact structure of hexagonal/polygonal cells and immunohistochemical analysis illustrated a monolayer expressing barrier and pump function proteins in the regenera

SUBMITTER: Ali M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8452521 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature