title: Enhanced viability of corneal epithelial cells for efficient transport/storage using a structurally modified calcium alginate hydrogel.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Therapeutic limbal epithelial stem cells could be managed more efficiently if clinically validated batches were transported for 'on-demand' use.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, corneal epithelial cell viability in calcium alginate hydrogels was examined under cell culture, ambient and chilled conditions for up to 7 days.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cell viability improved as gel internal pore size increased, and was further enhanced with modification of the gel from a mass to a thin disc. Ambient storage conditions were optimal for supporting cell viability in gel discs. Cell viability in gel discs was significantly enhanced with increases in pore size mediated by hydroxyethyl cellulose.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our novel methodology of controlling alginate gel shape and pore size together provides a more practical and economical alternative to established corneal tissue/cell storage methods.
authors.affiliation: Stem Cells & Nanomaterials Laboratory, Reading School of Pharmacy, Hopkins Building, University of Reading, Berkshire, RG6 6UB, UK.
authors.forename: Bernice
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.forename: Richard A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Cave
authors.forename: Joseph P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Cook
authors.forename: Vitaliy V
authors.initials: VV
authors.lastname: Khutoryanskiy
authors.forename: Shengli
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mi
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Leyland
authors.forename: Che J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Connon
mesh_terms: D000464:Alginates / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D002460:Cell Line; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D018914:Cells, Immobilized / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D002482:Cellulose / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects*; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000166:cytology*; D020723:Glucuronic Acid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D006603:Hexuronic Acids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016850:Limbus Corneae / Q000166:cytology; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D016062:Porosity / Q000187:drug effects; D011309:Preservation, Biological; D014186:Transportation
chemical_list: D000464:Alginates; D006603:Hexuronic Acids; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate; D020723:Glucuronic Acid; D002482:Cellulose; C002283:hydroxyethylcellulose