title: In Vitro and In Vivo Models to Study Corneal Endothelial-mesenchymal Transition.
abstract: Corneal endothelial cells (CECs) play a crucial role in maintaining corneal clarity through active pumping. A reduced CEC count may lead to corneal edema and diminished visual acuity. However, human CECs are prone to compromised proliferative potential. Furthermore, stimulation of cell growth is often complicated by gradual endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EnMT). Therefore, understanding the mechanism of EnMT is necessary for facilitating the regeneration of CECs with competent function. In this study, we prepared a primary culture of bovine CECs by peeling the CECs with Descemet's membrane from the corneal button and demonstrated that bovine CECs exhibited the EnMT process, including phenotypic change, nuclear translocation of β-catenin, and EMT regulators snail and slug, in the in vitro culture. Furthermore, we used a rat corneal endothelium cryoinjury model to demonstrate the EnMT process in vivo. Collectively, the in vitro primary culture of bovine CECs and in vivo rat corneal endothelium cryoinjury models offers useful platforms for investigating the mechanism of EnMT.
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital; Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University.
authors: Wei-Ting
authors: WT
authors: Ho
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, National Taiwan University Hospital.
authors: Chien-Chia
authors: CC
authors: Su
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, National Taiwan University Hospital.
authors: Jung-Shen
authors: JS
authors: Chang
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital.
authors: Shu-Wen
authors: SW
authors: Chang
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, National Taiwan University Hospital.
authors: Fung-Rong
authors: FR
authors: Hu
authors: Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University; College of Medicine, National Taiwan University; jouts@ntu.edu.tw.
authors: Tzuu-Shuh
authors: TS
authors: Jou
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, National Taiwan University Hospital; College of Medicine, National Taiwan University; ijong@ntu.edu.tw.
authors: I-Jong
authors: IJ
authors: Wang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003315:Cornea; D003886:Descemet Membrane / Q000378:metabolism*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004728:Endothelium, Corneal / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D051381:Rats