Denuded Descemet's membrane supports human embryonic stem cell-derived retinal pigment epithelial cell culture

PLoS One. 2023 Feb 6;18(2):e0281404. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0281404. eCollection 2023.

Abstract

Recent clinical studies suggest that retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cell replacement therapy may preserve vision in retinal degenerative diseases. Scaffold-based methods are being tested in ongoing clinical trials for delivering pluripotent-derived RPE cells to the back of the eye. The aim of this study was to investigate human embryonic stem cell-derived retinal pigment epithelial (hESC-RPE) cells survival and behaviour on a decellularized Descemet's Membrane (DM), which may be of clinical relevance in retinal transplantation. DMs were isolated from human donor corneas and treated with thermolysin. The DM surface topology and the efficiency of the denudation method were evaluated by atomic force microscope, scanning electron microscopy and histology. hESC-RPE cells were seeded onto the endothelial-side surface of decellularized DM in order to determine the potential of the membrane to support hESC-RPE cell culture, alongside maintaining their viability. Integrity of the hESC-RPE monolayer was assessed by measuring transepithelial resistance. RPE-specific gene expression and growth factors secretion were assessed to confirm maturation and functionality of the cells over the new substrate. Thermolysin treatment did not affect the integrity of the tissue, thus ensuring a reliable method to standardize the preparation of decellularized DM. 24 hours post-seeding, hESC-RPE cell attachment and initial proliferation rate over the denuded DM were higher than hESC-RPE cells cultured on tissue culture inserts. On the new matrix, hESC-RPE cells succeeded in forming an intact monolayer with mature tight junctions. The resulting cell culture showed characteristic RPE cell morphology and proper protein localization. Gene expression analysis and VEGF secretion demonstrate DM provides supportive scaffolding and inductive properties to enhance hESC-RPE cells maturation. Decellularized DM was shown to be capable of sustaining hESC-RPE cells culture, thus confirming to be potentially a suitable candidate for retinal cell therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Culture Techniques
  • Cell Differentiation / genetics
  • Cell Line
  • Descemet Membrane
  • Epithelial Cells / metabolism
  • Human Embryonic Stem Cells*
  • Humans
  • Retinal Diseases* / metabolism
  • Retinal Pigment Epithelium / metabolism
  • Thermolysin / metabolism

Substances

  • Thermolysin

Grants and funding

This work was partially supported by “5x1000” funds for scientific research from the Italian Ministry of Health and the Italian Ministry of University & Research, and by a Short-Term Scientific Mission grant to ED from the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (EU-COST) Action CA18116 “Aniridia: networking to address an unmet medical, scientific, and societal challenge”. There was no additional external funding received for this study. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.