Hyaluronan supports the limbal stem cell phenotype during ex vivo culture.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Hyaluronan (HA) has previously been identified as an integral component of the limbal stem cell niche in vivo. In this study, we investigated whether a similar HA matrix is also expressed in vitro providing a niche supporting limbal epithelial stem cells (LESCs) during ex vivo expansion. We also investigated whether providing exogenous HA in vitro is beneficial to LESCs during ex vivo expansion.

Method

Human LESCs (hLESCs) were isolated from donor corneas and a mouse corneal epithelial progenitor cell line (TKE2) was obtained. The HA matrix was identified surrounding LESCs in vitro using immunocytochemistry, flow cytometry and red blood exclusion assay. Thereafter, LESCs were maintained on HA coated dishes or in the presence of HA supplemented in the media, and vi

SUBMITTER: Puri S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9338506 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature