title: Efficient Generation of Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Corneal Endothelial Cells by Directed Differentiation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To generate human embryonic stem cell derived corneal endothelial cells (hESC-CECs) for transplantation in patients with corneal endothelial dystrophies.
  
  
  METHODS
  Feeder-free hESC-CECs were generated by a directed differentiation protocol. hESC-CECs were characterized by morphology, expression of corneal endothelial markers, and microarray analysis of gene expression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  hESC-CECs were nearly identical morphologically to primary human corneal endothelial cells, expressed Zona Occludens 1 (ZO-1) and Na+/K+ATPaseα1 (ATPA1) on the apical surface in monolayer culture, and produced the key proteins of Descemet's membrane, Collagen VIIIα1 and VIIIα2 (COL8A1 and 8A2). Quantitative PCR analysis revealed expression of all corneal endothelial pump transcripts. hESC-CECs were 96% similar to primary human adult CECs by microarray analysis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  hESC-CECs are morphologically similar, express corneal endothelial cell markers and express a nearly identical complement of genes compared to human adult corneal endothelial cells. hESC-CECs may be a suitable alternative to donor-derived corneal endothelium.
authors.affiliation: Ocata Therapeutics, Marlborough, MA, 01752, United States of America.
authors.forename: Kathryn L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: McCabe
authors.affiliation: Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33136, United States of America.|Emmecell, Key Biscayne, FL, 33149, United States of America.|Shiley Eye Institute, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, United States of America.
authors.forename: Noelia J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Kunzevitzky
authors.affiliation: Ocata Therapeutics, Marlborough, MA, 01752, United States of America.
authors.forename: Brian P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Chiswell
authors.affiliation: Shiley Eye Institute, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, United States of America.
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Xia
authors.affiliation: Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33136, United States of America.|Shiley Eye Institute, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, United States of America.|Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, 94303, United States of America.
authors.forename: Jeffrey L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Goldberg
authors.affiliation: Ocata Therapeutics, Marlborough, MA, 01752, United States of America.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lanza
mesh_terms: D002454:Cell Differentiation; D024102:Collagen Type VIII / Q000096:biosynthesis; D003315:Cornea / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D000066449:Human Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase / Q000096:biosynthesis; D062826:Zonula Occludens-1 Protein / Q000096:biosynthesis
chemical_list: C443712:COL8A2 protein, human; D024102:Collagen Type VIII; C569042:TJP1 protein, human; D062826:Zonula Occludens-1 Protein; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase