Analysis of cytokines and growth factors secreted by limbal stem cells and modulation of epithelial wound healing in vitro and in vivo

• Grant number: 15/06973-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: July 01, 2015
• End date: May 31, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biology
• Agreement: Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES)
• Principal Investigator: José Alvaro Pereira Gomes
• Grantee: Renata Ruoco Loureiro
• Host Institution: Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São Paulo. São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The maintenance of corneal epithelium is determined by a distinct population of stem cells (SC) which is probably located in the basal layer of the corneoscleral limbal epithelium. Various pathologic conditions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome, scarring pemphigoid and eye burning, can partially or completely destroy the limbal epithelial SC repository giving rise to what is called limbal SC deficiency (LSCD). Ex vivo cultivation and transplantation of limbal epithelial cells has been reported as an alternative source for ocular surface reconstruction. However, until now, the functional improvement of these patients is limited due to the low survival rate of the transplanted cells. Consequently, the clinical benefits are only temporary and can assign them to paracrine effects associated with the transplanted cells. With this background in mind we aim to identify cytokines and growth factors secreted by limbal stem cells and analyze its epithelial wound healing action, both in vitro and in vivo. Limbal tissue will be obtained from human corneal rims of the remaining trephination of in penetrating keratoplasty. Cytokines and growth factors secreted by limbal progenitor cells will be identified in the conditioned medium. For in vitro analysis of epithelial healing, corneal epithelial cells wil be cultured, injured and treated with previously collected conditioned medium, the epithelial healing will be analyzed by capturing images. We plan on a next step, set the parameters necessary for the implementation of the experimental model to preclinical, trying to find a non-invasive type of therapy that aids in the reconstruction of the ocular surface, using topical application of the limbal epithelial cells conditioned medium on the cornea for the treatment of DCTL. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

LOUREIRO, RENATA RUOCO; CRISTOVAM, PRISCILA CARDOSO; DA ROSA, LARISSA RIGOBELI; NOVA, LUCIMEIRE; GASPARETTO, GUSTAVO; GIL, CRISTIANE DAMAS; PEREIRA GOMES, JOSE ALVARO. Analysis of different conditioned media secreted by limbal progenitor cells in the modulation of corneal healing. EXPERIMENTAL EYE RESEARCH, v. 215, FEB 2022. (15/06973-6)