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

• Published in: PloS one Vol. 18; no. 2; p. e0281404
• Main Authors: Daniele, Elena, Bosio, Lorenzo, Hussain, Noor Ahmed, Ferrari, Barbara, Ferrari, Stefano, Barbaro, Vanessa, McArdle, Brian, Rassu, Nicolò, Mura, Marco, Parmeggiani, Francesco, Ponzin, Diego
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Public Library of Science 06.02.2023; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Analysis; Atomic force microscopy; Biology and Life Sciences; Care and treatment; Cell adhesion; Cell culture; Cell Culture Techniques; Cell Differentiation - genetics; Cell Line; Cell morphology; Cell proliferation; Cell survival; Cell therapy; Cellular therapy; Clinical trials; Collagen; Cornea; Cytology; Denudation; Denudation (Geology); Descemet Membrane; Diagnosis; Electron microscopy; Endothelium; Enzymes; Epithelial Cells - metabolism; Epithelium; Gene expression; Growth factors; Histology; Human Embryonic Stem Cells; Humans; Inserts; Integrity; Localization; Macular degeneration; Maturation; Medicine and Health Sciences; Membranes; Methods; Microscopy; Monolayers; Patient outcomes; Photoreceptors; Physical characteristics; Pluripotency; Polyethylene terephthalate; Prevention; Protein seeding; Research and Analysis Methods; Retina; Retinal cells; Retinal degeneration; Retinal Diseases - metabolism; Retinal pigment epithelium; Retinal Pigment Epithelium - metabolism; Risk factors; Scaffolding; Scanning electron microscopy; Secretion; Stem cells; Substrates; Thermolysin; Thermolysin - metabolism; Tight junctions; Tissue culture; Topology; Transplantation; Transplants & implants; Vascular endothelial growth factor; Vision disorders; Italy; United States > US; Germany
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0281404

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.