Generation of a Biomimetic Human Artificial Cornea Model Using Wharton's Jelly Mesenchymal Stem Cells

摘要: Purpose: Human Wharton's jelly stem cells (HWJSCs) derived from the umbilical cord have unique advantages due to their stemness differentiation capability at in vitro and vivo levels. Recently, it has been demonstrated that HWJSCs are able differentiate into epithelial-like of skin oral mucosa they could be considered as exceptional candidates for tissue regeneration. In this work, we first time cornea using a three dimensional model based on fibrin-agarose human bioengineered corneas. Methods: First, primary cell cultures HWJSCs, corneal epithelial keratocytes were cultured three-dimensional ortotypic heterotypic models generated. Results: Our results by engineering strategies with similar native cornea. Apart this, heterotypical corneas revealed adequate levels epithelium stroma, being expression markers (CK3/12, PKG, ZO1 CX43) extracellular matrix components (proteoglycans, collagen, elastic reticular fibers). Moreover, immunofluorecence analysis confirmed presence crystallins, Cry-αA, Cry-αB, Cry-β, Cry-ζ low Cry-βγ3 Cry-λ1 key proteins involved transparency, both models. Conclusions: All these findings suggest an alternative source regeneration may offer solution patients limbus deficiency.