Transplant of Limbal Epithelial Stem Cells on Bioresorbable Scaffold

The aim of the study was to develop a method to culture limbal epithelial stem cells (LESC) including their subsequent transplantation onto a scaffold based on bioresorbable fibrin glue for further autotransplantation into the eye of a recipient with limbal insufficiency.

Materials and Methods. Two methods of limbal tissue cultivation were used: 1) with preliminary enzymatic and mechanical tissue dissociation; 2) with planting the entire limbal specimen on a plastic base. Bioresorbable glue from Evicel (Johnson & Johnson, Russia) was used as a scaffold. Immunocytochemical phenotyping was performed using the markers of differentiated cells of the cornea, limbus and conjunctiva and the markers of stem cells.

Results. Immunocytochemical studies have confirmed the presence of cells whose marker profile was characteristic for LESC. The developed method resulted in a transplant based on LESC cultured on a bioresorbable scaffold.

Conclusion. Culturing a limbus biopsy specimen without preliminary dissociation allows one to preserve cell composition and proliferative potential; the method significantly increases the growth of limbal stem cells.

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