Long-term Observation After Transplantation of Cultured Human Corneal Endothelial Cells for Corneal Endothelial Dysfunction
Abstract Background At present, corneal transplantation is still the only way to treat serious corneal diseases caused by corneal endothelial dysfunction. However, the shortage of donor cornea tissues and human corneal endothelial cells (HCECs) remains a worldwide challenge. We cultivated HCECs by the use of a conditioned medium from orbital adipose-derived stem cells (OASC-CM) in vitro. Then the HCECs were used to treat animal corneal endothelial dysfunction models via cell transplantation. The initial effect was gratifying. The purpose of this study was to conduct a long-term observation and evaluation after cell transplantation. Methods First, orbital adipose-derived stem cells (OASCs) were isolated to prepare conditioned medium (CM). Then HCECs were cultivated and expanded by the usage of CM (CM-HCECs). Related CEC markers were analyzed by immunofluorescence. Cells proliferation ability was also tested. CM-HCECs were then transplanted into monkey corneal endothelial dysfunction models by cell injection. We carried out a 24-month postoperative preclinical observation and verified the long-term effect by histological examination and transcriptome sequencing. Results CM-HCECs expressed HCEC related markers and maintained polygonal cell morphology after several passages. During 24 months of cell transplantation into the monkey's anterior chamber, the cornea thickness and transparency kept healthy status, and the corneal endothelial cell density remained in the normal range. Gene sequencing showed that the gene expression pattern of CM-HCECs was similar to that of transplanted cells and HCECs. Conclusions The proliferation and repair ability of HCECs were significantly improved due to the effect of OASC-CM. The result of this study confirmed long-term therapeutic efficacy of CM-HCECs in vivo. Our research provided an extensive cell source and a promising prospect for regenerative medicine and cell-based therapy.