Stromal-epithelial interactions in the cornea

Stromal-epithelial interactions are key determinants of corneal function. Bi-directional communications occur in a highly coordinated manner between these corneal tissues during normal development, homeostasis, and wound healing. The best characterized stromal to epithelial interactions in the cornea are mediated by the classical paracrine mediators hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and keratinocyte growth factor (KGF). HGF and KGF are produced by the keratocytes to regulate proliferation, motility, differentiation, and possibly other functions, of epithelial cells. Other cytokines produced by keratocytes may also contribute to these interactions. Epithelial to stromal interactions are mediated by cytokines, such as interleukin-1 (IL-1) and soluble Fas ligand, that are released by corneal epithelial cells in response to injury. Other, yet to be identified, cytokine systems may be released from the unwounded corneal epithelium to regulate keratocyte viability and function. IL-1 appears to be a master regulator of corneal wound healing that modulates functions such as matrix metalloproteinase production, HGF and KGF production, and apoptosis of keratocyte cells following injury. The Fas/Fas ligand system has been shown to contribute to the immune privileged status of the cornea. However, this cytokine-receptor system probably also modulates corneal cell apoptosis following infection by viruses such as herpes simplex and wounding. Pharmacologic control of stromal-epithelial interactions appears to offer the potential to regulate corneal wound healing and, possibly, treat corneal diseases in which these interactions have a central role.     

FasL-Fas interactions regulate neovascularization in the cornea

PURPOSE: Neovascularization of the avascular cornea is a significant problem associated with many corneal diseases. Because Fas ligand (FasL) is highly expressed in the cornea, the role of this molecule in controlling corneal neovascularization was examined in this study. METHODS: C57BL/6(B6), FasL (CD95L)-deficient B6-gld, and Fas (CD95)-deficient B6-lpr mice were subjected to the suture model of neovascularization. Corneas were evaluated for neovascularization and representative samples subjected to immunohistochemical analysis for expression of Fas antigen and CD31 (platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule [PECAM-1]) on vessels that were present in the tissue. Corneas were also explanted and placed in collagen gel cultures to test the ability of anti-Fas antibody to prevent vessel extension from explanted corneas. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical data demonstrated that quiescent vessels express CD31 alone, whereas vessels that penetrate the cornea coexpressed both the Fas antigen and CD31. A significant increase was observed in neovascularization in FasL-deficient B6-gld corneas compared with B6 corneas, and new vessel growth in both B6 and B6-gld was inhibited by anti-Fas antibody. Whereas Fas-deficient B6-lpr corneas displayed significantly less neovascularization than normal B6, B6-lpr mice express Fas on growing vessels. In corneal explant cultures, vessel growth from B6 and lpr mice corneas was inhibited by anti-Fas antibody, confirming functional Fas expression in B6-lpr mice. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that FasL is an important factor in controlling corneal neovascularization.     

兔角膜上皮和基质细胞共同培养模型中的相互作用

目的探讨利用细胞生物学和工程学原理在体外培养角膜上皮和基质细胞,模拟上皮和基质细胞相互作用的生存环境,了解角膜上皮细胞和基质细胞间的作用规律。方法分别进行体外兔角膜上皮细胞和基质细胞的原代培养及传代的二维平面培养,利用特殊培养装置制作上皮细胞和基质细胞共同培养的模型,达到两种细胞胞体不混合,而其分泌的成分可以相互渗透、相互作用的目的,从而更好地观察各自细胞的生长状态。描绘角膜上皮细胞和基质细胞的生长曲线及二者在相互作用模型中的生长曲线。利用激光共聚焦显微镜观察上皮细胞和基质细胞在单独培养和三维共同培养模型中上皮细胞胞间通讯的变化特点。结果角膜上皮细胞倍增时间为3．45d,共同培养的上皮细胞倍增时间为3．30d,角膜基质细胞倍增时间为2．11d,共同培养的基质细胞倍增时间为2．32d,共同培养的上皮细胞增长与单独培养的上皮细胞相比,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）,共同培养的基质细胞增长与单独培养的基质细胞相比,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）。与角膜基质细胞共同培养的角膜上皮细胞胞间通讯明显高于单独培养的基质细胞,差异有统计学意义（U=2．691,P〈0．05）。结论共同培养的细胞模型是理想的。角膜上皮细胞在与基质细胞共同存在的条件下比单独培养下的增殖能力增强,而角膜基质细胞在与上皮细胞共同存在的条件下比单独培养的增殖能力减弱;而上皮细胞在与基质细胞共同存在的条件下,细胞间通讯增强。     

Immunoprotein deposition in the cornea

A 63-year old woman had bilateral, multi-level corneal deposits distributed as fine, discrete crystals and in dense, deep geographic patches. She had a long history of sero-positive rheumatoid arthritis. Autopsy revealed an unsuspected lymphoproliferative disorder and immune-complex disease. Histologic examination of the eyes revealed eosinophilic, PAS-positive, noncollagenous deposits in the cornea at all levels and also in the ciliary processes, pars plana, and choroid. Stains for gold, amyloid, and acid mucopolysaccharides were negative. Immunoperoxidase stains were positive for IgG most strongly, and also for IgA, kappa and lambda light chains. Transmission electron microscopy showed needle-like electron-dense extracellular particles which we presume are immunoglobulins.     

Gene therapy in the cornea

Technological advances in the field of gene therapy has prompted more than three hundred phase I and phase II gene-based clinical trials for the treatment of cancer, AIDS, macular degeneration, cardiovascular, and other monogenic diseases. Besides treating diseases, gene transfer technology has been utilized for the development of preventive and therapeutic vaccines for malaria, tuberculosis, hepatitis A, B and C viruses, AIDS, and influenza. The potential therapeutic applications of gene transfer technology are enormous. The cornea is an excellent candidate for gene therapy because of its accessibility and immune-privileged nature. In the last two decades, various viral vectors, such as adeno, adeno-associated, retro, lenti, and herpes simplex, as well as non-viral methods, were examined for introducing DNA into corneal cells in vitro, in vivo and ex vivo. Most of these studies used fluorescent or non-fluorescent marker genes to track the level and duration of transgene expression in corneal cells. However, limited studies were directed to evaluate prospects of gene-based interventions for corneal diseases or disorders such as allograft rejection, laser-induced post-operative haze, herpes simplex keratitis, and wound healing in animal models. We will review the successes and obstacles impeding gene therapy approaches used for delivering genes into the cornea.     

角膜细胞凋亡

细胞凋亡是一种程序性细胞死亡 ,在维持正常组织器官的稳定平衡及病理状态组织器官的损伤、修复中起着重要作用。许多因素对细胞凋亡既有诱导作用 ,又有抑制作用 ,如细胞因子、基因、病毒、类固醇、辐射、营养不良、T淋巴细胞等。在正常和损伤角膜中也有凋亡的证据。上皮、内皮及基质中的IL l通过角膜细胞凋亡来调节角膜细胞和损伤愈合 ,上皮损伤 (如紫外线照射、准分子激光PRK手术、病毒感染等 )导致前基质下大量角膜细胞凋亡和IL l释放。许多角膜疾病 (如病毒性角膜炎、圆锥角膜、大泡性角膜病变等 )IL l、上皮基质系统可起到保护作用 ,或与其发病机理有关。对正常和疾病角膜细胞凋亡的进一步研究可能会发现稳定正常角膜组织 ,促进损伤愈合过程的更好方法。     

Endothelial repair in the rat cornea

Destruction of the central endothelium of the rat cornea was produced by mechanical injury, total debridement, or transcorneal freezing. Endothelial repair was then studied using specular microscopy, histological staining, pachymetry, and autoradiographic analysis of the incorporation of tritiated thymidine into nuclear DNA. Following an initial process of cell slide to cover the endothelial defect, extensive cellular division occurred at the margins of the wound, with approximately 45% of cells in the wound area showing incorporation of tritiated thymidine. An intact monolayer of irregularly shaped cells was reestablished by 2-14 days, depending on the wound. These results suggest that the corneal endothelial repair processes in the rat are more analogous to those of the rabbit than to those of the cat or primate.