Effects of fibroblast origin and phenotype on the proliferative potential of limbal epithelial progenitor cells.
The current study investigates potential differences in fibroblast phenotype across the anterior segment of the human eye with the aim to understanding factors that support the regenerative function of human limbal epithelial progenitor cells (LEPs) during wound healing. Separate cultures of fibroblasts were established from the cornea, limbus and sclera by growth in serum-supplemented medium. The resulting cultures were examined for potential differences in morphology and growth rate, as well as expression of CD34, CD45, CD90, CD141, CD271, vimentin and α-smooth muscle actin (α-sma). Finally, cultures were examined for their ability to support the growth of LEPs. While all cultures grew at a similar rate, scleral cultures often contained larger and more irregularly shaped cells which stained positive for α-sma. Western blotting confirmed a gradient of α-sma expression with lowest levels in corneal cultures. All three cultures stained positively for CD90 and vimentin, and were negative for CD34, CD45, CD141 and CD271. Only limbal or corneal irradiated fibroblasts supported the establishment of LEP cultures. While LEP colony forming efficiency and prominent expression of ABCG2, C/EBPδ and p63 was similar with either limbal or corneal fibroblasts, limbal fibroblasts supported significantly better growth. These results indicate that scleral fibroblasts have an increased capacity for myofibroblast formation which appears to negatively impact on their ability to support LEP growth. Superior growth of LEPs in the presence of limbal fibroblasts indicates a role for limbal fibroblasts in promoting the proliferation of limbal epithelium during wound healing.
Discipline of Medical Sciences and Vision Improvement Domain, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, 60 Musk Avenue, Kelvin Grove, Brisbane, QLD 4059, Australia. sl.ainscough@qut.edu.au
S Louise
SL
Ainscough
May L
ML
Linn
Zeke
Z
Barnard
Ivan R
IR
Schwab
Damien G
DG
Harkin
D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D015153:Blotting, Western; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D019070:Cell Lineage / Q000502:physiology; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D003315:Cornea / Q000166:cytology*; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D006801:Humans; D016850:Limbus Corneae / Q000166:cytology*; D010641:Phenotype; D012590:Sclera / Q000166:cytology*; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000166:cytology; D018800:Thy-1 Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D014746:Vimentin / Q000378:metabolism
D015415:Biomarkers; D018800:Thy-1 Antigens; D014746:Vimentin