Effects of Damaged Human Corneal Epithelial Cells on Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cell.
- Author:
Mi Sun SHIN
1
;
Hyun Sook HONG
;
Young Sook SON
;
Jae Chan KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Ophthalmology Chung-ang University College of Medicine, Seoul Korea. jck50ey@kornet.net
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Mesenchymal stem cell;
Cornea epithelial cell;
Coculture;
alpha-smooth muscle actin
- MeSH:
Actins;
Cadherins;
Coculture Techniques;
Corneal Keratocytes;
Epithelial Cells*;
Fluorescent Antibody Technique;
Humans*;
Mesenchymal Stromal Cells*;
Residence Characteristics
- From:Journal of the Korean Ophthalmological Society
2007;48(3):423-430
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: To identify the effects of microenvironmental changes caused by human corneal epithelial damages to characteristics or differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). METHODS: Artificial corneal damage was induced onto a cultured monolayer of human corneal epithelial cells. hMSCs were then co-cultured with damaged human corneal epithelial cells (dIHCE). Morphological changes in the co-cultured hMSCs were observed. To elucidate the differentiation of hMSCs into corneal keratocytes or epithelial cells, the expressions of alpha-smooth muscle actin, keratin-3/-12, and E-cadherin were confirmed by immunofluorescence. RESULTS: hMSCs co-cultured with dIHCE showed enhanced adherence in the neighborhood of dIHCE and morphological change into dendritic shapes at 6 days post-seeding. Although the expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin, known as hMSCs marker, significantly decreased at the dIHCE-contacted site of hMSCs; there were no expressional changes on keratin-3/-12 and E-cadherin, the markers of corneal epithelial cells. Interestingly, positive expression of corneal epithelial marker keratin-3/-12 was observed in dIHCE co-cultured hMSCs. hMSCs co-cultured with normal human corneal epithelial cells (nIHCE) were unable to attach, and showed no change in the expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin. CONCLUSIONS: It is proposed that dIHCE causes a morphological change in hMSCs, and decreased expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin. These results suggest that dIHCE can affect a change in the characteristics and differentiation of hMSCs.
