TGF-β modulation of cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions in post-confluent corneal endothelial cells
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PROVIDER: PRJNA723605 | ENA |
REPOSITORIES: ENA
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Project description:We isolated healthy human corneal endothelial cells from EyeBank research-grade corneas. Passage 3 cells were grown to confluency and exposed to TGF-b2 for 7 days.
2021-04-22 | GSE172573 | GEO
Project description:Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy FECD is a progressive corneal disease that impacts the structure and stiffness of the Descemets membrane DM, a protein layer that serves as a matrix for the corneal endothelial cells CECs. These structural alterations of the DM contribute to the loss of the CECs resulting in corneal edema and blindness. Oxidative stress and TGF-b pathways have been implicated in endothelial cell loss and endothelial to mesenchymal transition of CECs in FECD. Ascorbic acid AA is found at high concentrations in FECD and its impacts on CECs survival has been investigated. However, TGF-b and AA effects on the composition and rigidity of the CECs matrix remain unknown. In this study, we investigated the effect of AA, TGF-b1 and TGF-b3 on the deposition, ultrastructure, stiffness, and composition of the extracellular matrix ECM secreted by primary bovine corneal endothelial cells BCECs. Immunofluorescence and electron microscopy post-decellularization demonstrated a robust deposition and distinct structure of ECM in response to treatments. AFM measurements showed that the modulus of the matrix in BCECs treated with TGF-b1 and TGF-b3 was significantly lower than the controls. There was no difference in the stiffness of the matrix between the AA-treated cell and controls. Gene Ontology analysis of the proteomics results revealed that AA modulates the oxidative stress pathway in the matrix while TGF-b induces the expression of matrix proteins collagen IV, laminin and lysyl oxidase homolog 1. Molecular pathways identified in this study demonstrate the differential role of soluble factors in pathogenesis of the FECD.
| MSV000088172 | MassIVE
Project description:Purpose: Corneal endothelial dysfunction leads to irreversible blindness, yet treatment remains constrained by a global shortage of donor tissue. This study aimed to develop a donor-independent strategy for generating functional corneal endothelial cells (CECs) by reprogramming murine neural crest cells (NCCs) through pharmacological inhibition of TGF-β signaling. Methods: NCCs were genetically labeled and isolated from E13.5 Wnt1-Cre;Rosa26-LSL-tdTomato mouse embryos by fluorescence-activated cell sorting. Sorted NCCs were treated with the selective TGF-β inhibitor SB431542 to induce conversion into induced corneal endothelial–like cells (iCECs). Cell identity was validated by immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, wound-healing and endocytic uptake assays, and bulk RNA sequencing with comparison to primary CECs and NCCs. Therapeutic efficacy was assessed by transplanting iCECs into a rabbit model of corneal endothelial dysfunction induced by descemetorhexis. Results: SB431542 treatment efficiently converted NCCs into polygonal, cobblestone-like iCECs that expressed canonical CEC markers (ZO-1, Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase, AQP1, Laminin) while silencing neural crest genes. Approximately 85% of iCECs were Ki67-positive, and cells achieved complete wound closure within 24 hours. Transcriptomic profiling confirmed that iCECs closely resembled primary CECs and were clearly distinct from NCCs. Following transplantation, iCECs reconstituted a confluent endothelial monolayer, normalized central corneal thickness, and restored corneal transparency by Day 35, whereas untreated controls remained opaque. Conclusions: Targeted TGF-β inhibition enables efficient lineage conversion of NCCs into functional corneal endothelial–like cells with robust proliferative capacity and in vivo therapeutic efficacy. This pharmacologically defined strategy provides a scalable, donor-independent cell source and offers a promising therapeutic approach for corneal endothelial diseases.
2026-02-28 | GSE319421 | GEO
Project description:HUVEC (N=3 isolates) were separately grown to sub-confluency, and to confluency. In order to study the effects of growth and contact inhibition on the transcriptome, the microarray gene expression profiles of these sub-confluent and confluent HUVEC were compared. Keywords: HUVEC, confluency, contact inhibition
2007-12-01 | GSE9334 | GEO
Project description:Dr. Panjwani's laboratory is focusing on the mechanism by which galectins-3 and 7 mediate corneal epithelial cell migration. We are currently performing studies to: (i) identify and characterize the corneal epithelial cell surface and extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules which serve as counterreceptors of galectin-3 and -7, to establish whether the lectins modulate corneal epithelial cell migration by binding to well known integrins, growth factor receptors, and/or ECM molecules and (ii) determine whether galectin-3 mediates corneal epithelial cell migration indirectly by modulating the expression of key adhesion and/or signal transduction molecules by using small interfering RNA, cDNA microarrays and glycogene arrays. We have prepared three independent preparations of total RNA of corneal epithelial cells from WT mice (total six samples) for analysis of glycogene expression. Samples are Normal Cornea (Left eye) and Laser ablation + 16-18 hours healing (right eye)
2010-12-11 | E-GEOD-26009 | biostudies-arrayexpress
Project description:Corneal injuries remain a major cause of consultation in the ophthalmology clinics worldwide. Repair of corneal wounds is a complex mechanism that involves cell death, migration, proliferation, differentiation, and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling. In the present study, we used a tissue-engineered, two-layers (epithelium and stroma) human cornea as a biomaterial to study both the cellular and molecular mechanisms of wound healing. Gene profiling on microarrays revealed important alterations in the pattern of genes expressed by tissue-engineered corneas in response to wound healing. Expression of many MMPs-encoding genes was shown by microarray and qPCR analyses to increase in the migrating epithelium of wounded corneas. Many of these enzymes were converted into their enzymatically active form as wound closure proceeded. In addition, expression of MMPs by human corneal epithelial cells (HCECs) was affected both by the stromal fibroblasts and the collagen-enriched ECM they produce. Most of all, results from mass spectrometry analyses provided evidence that a fully stratified epithelium is required for proper synthesis and organization of the ECM on which the epithelial cells adhere. In conclusion, and because of the many characteristics it shares with the native cornea, this human two layers corneal substitute may prove particularly useful to decipher the mechanistic details of corneal wound healing. Primary cultures of human corneal epithelial cells cultivated on BSA (number of replicates: 7), Collagen type I (number of replicates: 2), Collagen type IV (number of replicates: 2), Fibronectin (number of replicates: 2), Tenascin C (number of replicates: 2) and Laminin (number of replicates: 2) matrix. Central, internal and external ring of wounded Tissue-engineered human cornea.
2015-11-25 | E-GEOD-75336 | biostudies-arrayexpress
Project description:We report a novel licensing strategy to improve the immunosuppressive capacity of MSCs. Licensing murine MSCs with TGF-β1 (TGF-β MSC) significantly improved their ability to modulate both the phenotype and secretome of inflammatory bone marrow-derived macrophages and significantly increased the numbers of regulatory T lymphocytes (Tregs) following co-culture assays. These TGF-β MSC-expanded Tregs also expressed significantly higher levels of PD-L1 and CD73, indicating enhanced suppressive potential. Detailed analysis of T lymphocyte co-cultures revealed modulation of secreted factors, most notably, elevated prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). Furthermore, TGF-β MSCs could significantly prolong rejection-free survival (69.2% acceptance rate compared to 21.4% for un-licensed MSC treated recipients) in a murine corneal allograft model. Mechanistic studies revealed that (i) therapeutic efficacy of TGF-β MSCs is Smad2/3-dependent; (ii) TGF-β MSC’s enhanced immunosuppressive capacity is contact-dependent and (iii) enhanced secretion of PGE2 (via prostaglandin EP4 receptor) by TGF-β MSCs is the predominant mediator of Treg expansion and T cell activation and is associated with corneal allograft survival. Collectively, we provide compelling evidence for the use of TGF-β1 licensing as an unconventional strategy for enhancing MSC immunosuppressive capacity.
2020-08-31 | GSE150008 | GEO
Project description:Human amniotic epithelial cell-derived extracellular vesicles (hAEC-EVs) have shown therapeutic potential in corneal injury repair; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms, particularly those related to extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, remain incompletely understood.
2026-03-11 | PXD075526 |
Project description:After stromal injury to the cornea, the release of growth factors and pro-inflammatory cytokines promotes the activation of quiescent keratocytes into a migratory fibroblast and/or fibrotic myofibroblast phenotype. Persistence of the myofibroblast phenotype can lead to corneal fibrosis and scarring, which are leading causes of blindness worldwide. This study aims to establish comprehensive transcriptional profiles for cultured corneal keratocytes, fibroblasts, and myofibroblasts to gain insights into the mechanisms through which these phenotypic changes occur. Primary rabbit corneal keratocytes were cultured in either defined serum-free media (SF), fetal bovine serum (FBS) containing media, or in the presence of TGF-β1 to induce keratocyte, fibroblast, or myofibroblast phenotypes, respectively. Bulk RNA sequencing followed by bioinformatic analyses was performed to identify significant differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and enriched biological pathways for each phenotype. Genes commonly associated with keratocytes, fibroblasts, or myofibroblasts showed high relative expression in SF, FBS, or TGF-β1 culture conditions, respectively. Differential expression and functional analyses revealed novel DEGs for each cell type, as well as enriched pathways indicative of differences in proliferation, apoptosis, extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis, cell-ECM interactions, cytokine signaling, and cell mechanics. Overall, these data demonstrate distinct transcriptional differences among cultured corneal keratocytes, fibroblasts, and myofibroblasts. We have identified genes and signaling pathways that may play important roles in keratocyte differentiation, including many related to mechanotransduction and ECM biology. Our findings have revealed novel molecular markers for each cell type, as well as possible targets for modulating cell behavior and promoting physiological corneal wound healing.
2025-02-21 | GSE287915 | GEO
Project description:To elucidate biological processes underlying the keratocyte, fibroblast, and myofibroblast phenotypes of corneal stromal cells, the gene expression patterns of these primary cultures from mouse cornea were compared with those of the adult and 10-day postnatal mouse cornea. Keywords = corneal stroma maturation keratocyte fibroblast myofibroblast TGF beta 1 Keywords: other
2004-10-27 | GSE1867 | GEO