Dataset Information
TGF-β-Mediated Modulation of Cell-Cell Interactions in Postconfluent Maturing Corneal Endothelial Cells.
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ABSTRACT: Purpose
Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) is known to influence many cell functions. In the corneal endothelium, TGF-β1 exerts contextual effects, promoting endothelial-mesenchymal transition in proliferating cells and enhancing barrier integrity in early confluent maturing cells. Herein, we studied how TGF-β isoforms participate in the formation of corneal endothelial intercellular junctions.Methods
Corneal endothelial cells (CECs) were cultured using a two-phase media approach. When CECs reached confluence, the proliferation medium was replaced with maturation medium, which was supplemented or not with TGF-β isoforms. The cell morphology (circularity index), intercellular junction protein expression, trans-endothelial electrical resistance (TEER), and permeability of 7-day postconfluent CECs were assessed. Gene transcription and signaling pathways that were activated following maturation in the presence of TGF-β2 were also studied. The beneficial effect of TGF-β2 on CEC maturation was evaluated using ex vivo corneas mounted on a corneal bioreactor.Results
The results showed increases in circularity index, membrane localization of junction-related proteins, and TEER when TGF-β isoforms were individually added during the maturation phase, and TGF-β2 was the most effective isoform. Gene profiling revealed an increase in extracellular matrix-related gene expression. In ex vivo cell adhesion experiments, CECs that were matured in the presence of TGF-β2 had a higher circularity index and cell density and exhibited cell membrane-localized junction-related protein expression at earlier time points.Conclusions
These results suggest that TGF-β2 can strengthen cell-cell and cell-substrate adhesion, which accelerates barrier integrity establishment and thus enhances CEC functionality.
SUBMITTER: Santerre K
PROVIDER: S-EPMC9547359 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Oct
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Publications
TGF-β-Mediated Modulation of Cell-Cell Interactions in Postconfluent Maturing Corneal Endothelial Cells.
Investigative ophthalmology & visual science 20221001 11
<h4>Purpose</h4>Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) is known to influence many cell functions. In the corneal endothelium, TGF-β1 exerts contextual effects, promoting endothelial-mesenchymal transition in proliferating cells and enhancing barrier integrity in early confluent maturing cells. Herein, we studied how TGF-β isoforms participate in the formation of corneal endothelial intercellular junctions.<h4>Methods</h4>Corneal endothelial cells (CECs) were cultured using a two-phase media app ...[more]
