Choong P-F, Mok P-L, Cheong S-K, Then K-Y
MAKNA-HUKM Cancer Institute, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Cytotherapy. 2007;9(3):252-8. doi: 10.1080/14653240701218508.
The unique potential of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) has generated much research interest recently, particularly in exploring the regenerative nature of these cells. Previously, MSC were thought to be found only in the BM. However, further studies have shown that MSC can also be isolated from umbilical cord blood, adipose tissue and amniotic fluid. In this study, we explored the possibility of MSC residing in the cornea.
Human cornea tissues were chopped to fine pieces and cultured in DMEM supplemented with 10% FBS. After a few days, the crude pieces of cornea were removed. Isolated keratocytes that were adherent to tissue culture flasks were grown until confluency before being passaged further. The immunophenotype was evaluated by flow cytometry. Assays were performed to differentiate cultured cells into adipocytes and osteocytes.
Isolated corneal keratocytes exhibited a fibroblastoid morphology and expressed CD13, CD29, CD44, CD56, CD73, CD90, CD105 and CD133, but were negative for HLA-DR, CD34, CD117 and CD45. These properties are similar to those of BM-MSC (BM-MSC). In addition, corneal keratocytes were able to differentiate into adipocytes and osteocytes.
Our results indicate that corneal keratocytes have MSC-like properties similar to those of BM-MSC. This study opens up the possibility of using BM-MSC in corneal tissue engineering and regeneration. Furthermore, discarded corneal tissue can also be used to generate MSC for tissue engineering purposes.
间充质基质细胞（MSC）的独特潜能近来引发了诸多研究兴趣，尤其是在探索这些细胞的再生特性方面。此前，人们认为MSC仅存在于骨髓中。然而，进一步研究表明，MSC也可从脐带血、脂肪组织和羊水中分离得到。在本研究中，我们探讨了MSC存在于角膜中的可能性。
将人角膜组织切碎成小块，在添加10%胎牛血清的DMEM中培养。几天后，去除角膜粗块。贴附于组织培养瓶的分离角膜细胞生长至汇合后再进一步传代。通过流式细胞术评估免疫表型。进行实验以将培养的细胞分化为脂肪细胞和骨细胞。
分离的角膜细胞呈现成纤维细胞样形态，表达CD13、CD29、CD44、CD56、CD73、CD90、CD105和CD133，但HLA-DR、CD34、CD117和CD45呈阴性。这些特性与骨髓间充质干细胞（BM-MSC）相似。此外，角膜细胞能够分化为脂肪细胞和骨细胞。
我们的结果表明，角膜细胞具有与BM-MSC相似的MSC样特性。本研究为在角膜组织工程和再生中使用BM-MSC开辟了可能性。此外，废弃的角膜组织也可用于生成用于组织工程目的的MSC。
