Influence of substrate on corneal epithelial cell viability within ocular surface models

• Published in: Experimental eye research Vol. 101; pp. 97 - 103
• Main Authors: Feng, Yun, Foster, James, Mi, Shengli, Chen, Bo, Connon, Che John
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01-08-2012
• Subjects: Cell Count; Cell Line; Cell Survival; Collagen; cornea; Epithelium, Corneal - cytology; Epithelium, Corneal - drug effects; Epithelium, Corneal - metabolism; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; Humans; Integrin beta4 - metabolism; Membrane Proteins - metabolism; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Models, Biological; Phosphoproteins - metabolism; Polycarboxylate Cement; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate - pharmacology; Tissue Engineering; Tissue Scaffolds; toxicity; Zonula Occludens-1 Protein; toxicity; collagen; tissue engineering; model; cornea
• ISSN: 0014-4835; 1096-0007
• DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2012.05.005

Corneal tissue engineering has improved dramatically over recent years. It is now possible to apply these technological advancements to the development of superior in vitro ocular surface models to reduce animal testing. We aim to show the effect different substrates can have on the viability of expanded corneal epithelial cells and that those which more accurately mimic the stromal surface provide the most protection against toxic assault. Compressed collagen gel as a substrate for the expansion of a human epithelial cell line was compared against two well-known substrates for modelling the ocular surface (polycarbonate membrane and conventional collagen gel). Cells were expanded over 10 days at which point cell stratification, cell number and expression of junctional proteins were assessed by electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR. The effect of increasing concentrations of sodium lauryl sulphate on epithelial cell viability was quantified by MTT assay. Results showed improvement in terms of stratification, cell number and tight junction expression in human epithelial cells expanded upon either the polycarbonate membrane or compressed collagen gel when compared to a the use of a conventional collagen gel. However, cell viability was significantly higher in cells expanded upon the compressed collagen gel. We conclude that the more naturalistic composition and mechanical properties of compressed collagen gels produces a more robust corneal model.
► Ocular model using biomimetic substrate and immortalized human epithelial cells. ► Oculotoxicity model shown to be a more accurate than leading model. ► Substrates more naturalistic composition produces a more robust corneal model. ► Immortalized human epithelial cells attach more readily to compressed collagen gel.