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Mesenchymal‐like stem cells from human corneal stroma grown in medium containing human serum as the only supplement
Author(s) -
ALBERT R,
VEREB Z,
MOE MC,
FESUS L,
RAJNAVOLGYI E,
FACSKO A,
BERTA A,
PETROVSKI G
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
acta ophthalmologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.534
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1755-3768
pISSN - 1755-375X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1755-3768.2011.3136.x
Subject(s) - mesenchymal stem cell , cd90 , cd34 , stroma , stromal cell , stem cell , cd44 , cornea , biology , pathology , microbiology and biotechnology , immunology , medicine , cancer research , cell , immunohistochemistry , biochemistry , neuroscience
Purpose Besides bone marrow, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can be separated from various tissues including the cornea. We investigated whether human corneal stroma‐derived cells resemble MSCs and if they can be grown in animal‐materials free medium containing human serum as the only supplement. Methods Human cornea stromal cells were isolated from cadavers after removal of the epithelial and endothelial layers (approved by the Hungarian Regional Ethical Committee). The cells were grown in DMEM containing human serum as the only supplement. Immunophenotyping with MSC markers, integrins/cell‐adhesion‐, endothelial‐ and hematopoietic markers was carried out by FACS analysis. Standard manufacturer protocols were used for differentiating the cells into fat, cartilage or bone. Results Cells isolated from human corneal stroma grew as monolayers in vitro and could be maintained in culture for more than 10 passages (n=6). They expressed the most important markers for MSCs (CD73, CD90, CD105, CD44, CD147, PDGFRb) and were negative for the hematopoietic markers CD34, CD45, HLA‐DR, CD69 and CD133. High per cent of the cells expressed the pluripotency markers CD117, C‐kit and CD47, but not the endothelial cell markers CD31, CD105/V‐CAM, VEGFR2. One of the hallmarks of human MSCs being capable to differentiate towards adipocytes, chondrocytes and osteocytes could also be demonstrated. Conclusion Our results indicate the presence of MSC‐like cells in the human corneal stroma, which can be grown in human serum‐containing medium. This opens the door for studying human keratopathies, as well as corneal tissue engineering and cell‐based therapies.