TE 3 Flashcards
Epidemiology of corneal disease/injuries?
Corneal disease/injuries is 2nd cause of vision loss.
10 million people across the world suffer from vision loss due to corneal disease (e.g. trachoma) or injury
Third world countries vision loss due to? Devloped world?
Trachoma- bacteria in eye.
Developed world- due to injury- acid/alkali burns etc.
What is the cornea?
Forms the outer surface of the eye over iris- protective role and refracts light (2/3 of eyes refractive power is the cornea)
Layers of cornea?
Epithelium (bowmans membrane) corneal stroma, (descements membrane) endothelium.
Function of the corneal epithelium?
10% of corneal thickness (50um of 500um total).
Highly innervated.
Prevent fluid loss, respond to environment, protection.
Rapid wound heeling
Structure of the corneal epithelium?
Stratified non- keratinised epithelium.
Split into 3 layers:
Superficial: tight junctions- barrier. Microvilli with glycocalyx.
Wing cells:
Basal cells: Communicate through desmosomes.
Constant state of turnover, replacement every 5-7days
TE potential of the corneal epithelium?
They are in a constant state of turnover every 5-7 days, so there must be stem cells in there which could be harnised and used.
Function of the corneal stroma?
90% of corneal thickness.
Provides strength, allows transparency- mainly acellular.
Structure of the corneal stroma?
-relatively acellular, molecular layer e.g. collagens, proteoglycans and glycoproteins.
-Very particular regulated molecular arrangement- colagen in regularly packed fibrils. This geometric arrangement reduces scatter when transmits light (allows transparency).
Main cells are keratinocytes- synthesise and maintain the collagen arrangement.
Corneal endothelium function?
Metabolically active- lots of mitochondria for energy to actively pump water out of stroma (leaks across). This maintains collagen hydration- if water comes in, collagen swells and deshapes (more light scatter- less transparency).
Solutes, nutrients are allowed through into the stroma from tear fluid or aqueous humor.
If inflamed endothelial cells of cornea?
The tight junctions become less tight and water is leaked- swollen cornea.
Corneal Innervation?
6-10x more nerve endings than skin. Important for blink reflex, wound heeling, tear production.
Why is cornea avascular?
So remains transparent. Nutrients diffuse from tear fluid and aqueous humor
corneal substitute qualities would need?
- Transparent
- Refractive (2/3 of eyes refractive index)
- Tensile strength
- Avascular, but allow high innervation.
- O2, nutrients etc needs to diffuse through.
Why TE corneal replacement need?
Can take cornea from cadaver, place and suture into patient- but sourcing is hard as only 7% of bodies cornea is suitable and available.
When repeated cornea grafts fail use?
Keratoprosthesis. optical Polymethylmethacrylate (pilot spliter material) to replace cornea. But need life long regime of anti-biotics to control inflammation and prevent glaucoma.
Example of design of Keratoprosthesis?
Boston- Keratoprosthesis (B-KPro).
The device consists of two main parts: an anterior plate of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and a snap-on titanium back plate with 16 holes (1.3 mm diameter each) that facilitate the access of the corneal tissue to the aqueous humor. An artificial cornea is sandwiched between the plates, and the complex is then sutured into the patient’s own eye like a standard graft.
B-KPro advances in the last 10 years?
- Introduction of a daily dose of a topical antibiotic prophylaxis to reduce the rate of infectious inflamed cornea and of tissues inside eye.
- To monitor chronic inflammation a smaller version has been inserted into rodents and their cytokine levels monitored. Have explored the use of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) inhibitors, such as Infliximab®, in decreasing the levels of inflammation in patients with B-KPro.
- Optic nerve can be damaged in surgery causing glaucoma- in a study on 106 eyes after insertion- 26% developed de novo glaucoma afterward and 31% developed Disc pallor.
- In order to ensure intraocular pressure to not rise too high to cause glaucoma- an ahmed glaucoma valve can be inserted with the keratoprosthesis and acts as a drainage implant to keep pressure down, so does not compress the optic nerve. Hard to measure intraocular pressure without normal cornea.
WHat structure can be used for regenerative approaches for corneal epithelium?
limbal epithelial stem cells in the corneal rim at the border between the cornea and sclera. Undulated niches seen near pupils.
limbal stem cells divide how?
Asymmetric division- one will stay as a stem cell in niche and one daughter cell will move out.
Transit amplifying cells- as proliferate and differentiate in the basal layer.
Most mitotic in wing cell layer.
When cells terminally differentiated move up to the squamous layer on top of epithelium.
When have Limbal stem cell deficiency?
By: Anaridia, sclerocornea, thermal, alkali or acidic burns.
Results in: conjectiva overgrowth compensation but this results in tissue loss due to loss of transparency.
Fix for limbal stem cell deficiency?
Direct transplant from patients healthy eye to diseased/injured.
or
take healthy limbal epithelium to seed a culture to produce a sheet to then implant.
Disadvanatge of Direct transplant from patients healthy eye to diseased/injured for LSC deficiency?
This relies on the other eye being healthy. Donor site damage, two surgeries.
How can LSCs be cultured to implant?
Cultured on plastic (adherent). Then removed by adding trypsin or scraping. But want them to stay in one sheet and therefore best to use temperature responsive dishes. Cells adhere at 37degrees, but if placed at 20degrees can be lifted off. Move from a hydrophobic to phillic state of plastic.
First stem cell theapy to be approved in western world?
In 2015 Europe approved use of stem cell therapy for stem cell therapy (Holoclar) - Expanded autologous LSCs for patients with LSC deficiency eg ocular injuries. (Corneal epithelia replacement)
Holoclar what is it?
Biopsy taken from the patients healthy eye limbus, to extract limbus stem cells from. Thesse can be frozen until ready for surgery (primary cell culture) and proliferated into secondary for a corneal epithelial replacement.
Holoclar = cells + fibrin matrix.
Holoclar advantages?
75/104 patients study showed:
- stable corneal surface with no surface defects.
- Little or no in grown blood vessels (good- avascular)
- reduction in pain and inflammation.
- Vision improvements.
- Autograph- no rejection.
Holoclar disadvantages?
-If Genetic disease all cells will be affected so may not be able to take from the other eye.
-Delay to expand own cells.
-Graft from healthy eye- risk damage to this eye.
HENCE WHY OTHER SOURCES EXPLORED
Other source of stem cells explored for stem cells for corneal epithelia replacement?
Mucousal stem cells from mouth- epithelial sheet formed, when culture for 2 weeks on temp sensitive culture surface. No damage to the other eye involved or scarring in mucosa. Risk of neovascularisation though as different stem cells.
Mucosal stem cells for corneal replacement study: results? 2004
2004 study: Oral mucosa taken from patient cultivated and implanted into 4 human patients.
Complete reepithelialization of the corneal surfaces occurred within one week in all four treated eyes. Corneal transparency was restored and postoperative visual acuity improved remarkably in all four eyes. During a mean follow-up period of 14 months, all corneal surfaces remained transparent. No complications.
Pathological wound healing of corneal stroma?
Normally keratocytes are quiencence but under TFG-B and IL-1 after stromal injury they differentiate into fibroblasts and under TGF-B into myofibroblasts Physiologically should apoptose after wound healing but in pathological conditions the Myofibroblasts lay down EXCM proteins in an irregular pattern and the cornea loses its transparency.
Corneal Stromal graft options?
E.g. Biomaterial based- human collagen scaffold, or self-assembling peptides, or decellularised cornea.
or using limbal stromal stem cells.
Human collagen as corneal graft?
Recombinant human collagen cell free implants. Acellular when implanted and cells invade and remodel it. Endogenous cell recruitment has been shown (stromal cells populated and nerve repopulation)
Sucess of human collagen as corneal graft? (+) (-)
+Endogenous cell recruitment has been shown (stromal cells populated and nerve repopulation)
+No cells so no need for immunosupressents.
+Regenerated neo-corneas stably integrated.
+ transplanted into 7 patients, vision improved and pain relived.
-Visual acuity could be improved, add a synthetic lipid> Not appropriate mechanical structure- refractive power less.
How can limbal stem cells be used for stroma?
Also have for stroma.
Isolate and culture, these implanted remodel scarring in model animals, supress fibrotic scar formation, have anti-inflammatory properies- prevent neutrophil recruitment.
On going trials for.
Study on how stromal LSCs can be made and inserted into the eye?
scaffold-free tissue engineering methods were used to generate biomimetic corneal stromal tissue constructs. . Human corneal stromal stem cells (CSSC) were cultured on substrates with aligned surface microgrooves which directed parallel cell alignment and matrix organization, similar to the organization of native corneal stromal lamella.
They secrete collagen which acts as the EXCM.
After being transplanted into mouse corneal stromal pockets, the engineered corneal stromal tissues became transparent.
CELL GENERATED BIOMATERIAL
(not tested in humans yet)
Struggle with the corneal endothelium for TE?
It doesnt regenerate. At birth there are 3500-4000 cells per mm2 but these gradually die by 85 around 2300/mm2 (only need 500 to function).
They have a finite lifespan and limited proliferative ability.
Corneal endothelial TE replacement?
2018 study: Induced pluripotent stem cells explored (iPSCs).
Derived from human with normal ocular history. cells were drived towards corneal endothelial fate by adding differentiation factors to the media. Took 25 days.
They displayed a hexagonal, tightly-packed morphology and express transcripts and proteins that are established markers of mature corneal endothelial cells.
Future studies needed on their ability to pump water and meet metabolic demands before implantation.
What part of the body is most challenging to engineer?
The nervous system, especially CNS.
Difference between regeneration in PNS and CNS?
PNS promotes repair, whereas CNS inhibits it. Whereas Schwann cells line up to guide axon repair, myelin cells inhibit regeneration (Nogo?) and macrophages infiltrate a lot slower into the CNS (BBB v tight). Astrocytes also in the CNS assume ‘reactive phenotype’ and produce glial scars inhibiting regeneration.
Epidemiology of PNS injuries?
9000 cases in UK each year. Mainly young populations e.g. car accidents. Not working etc- healthcare, financial and societal burden.
30% cases are lacerations (tear) or compressions als common.
PNS anatomy?
Individual axons surrounded Schwann cells and by endoneurium.
Have the axons bundled together- surrounded by Perineurium.
These fascicles bundle to be surrounded by epineurium to create the nerve fibres.
Why is there a critical gap length the body can repair severed nerves?
The gap at which regeneration occurs at 50% of the time. At longer length the fibrin cable thins and isn’t robust enough to provide a platform for regeneration. If too large gap fibrin cable wont form at all.
Also the CT of nerves allows 10-20% elongation, but for every 8% stretch, there is a 50% reduction in blood flow (complete ischaemia at 15%).
3 degrees of nerve damage?
1) Neuropraxia- reversible conduction block (little structural damage)
2) Axonotmesis- complete interruption of axon and myelin (peri and epi in tact)
3) Neurotmesis-nerve and surrounding stroma are disconnected, no spontaneous recovery- atrophy.
If axon damage what will happen to the distal end?
WALLERIAN DEGENERATION
protease degeneration as metabolic activity etc in proximal end in cell body.
Debris is created which macrophages will engulf and clear up (2 weeks) Schwann cells clear up and take on the ‘progenitor phenotype’- they proliferate and align in tracts to guide regenerating axons- Bands of bungner. (3 weeks).
Regenerated by 3 months.
Neural tissue repair methods? (3)
surgical reconstructions
Grafts (autologous/ allogenate)
Nerve conduits.
Direct surgical reconstruction of nerves?
Reattaching the proximal and distal nerve bundles by suturing. This can only be done if they are very close to each other. If too far away- decrease blood flow e.g. for every 8% stretch, there is a 50% reduction in blood flow (complete ischaemia at 15%).
Autologous grafts for PNS injury? + and -?
Gold standard. \+Low immune risk -LOF at donor site - 2 surgeries required -Limit of size and type of nerve can use e.g. sensory as just below skin.
Allogenate grafts for PNS injury? + and -?
Same species donor. \+no second surgery for patient \+ no LOF at donor site -high immune rejection risk -Limitations in availability.
What are nerve conduits?
Hollow structures that form between the proximal and distal nerve stumps to guide axon regeneration- Prevent infiltration of scar tissue and increased concentration of cytokines and growth factors and support cells here.
Natural but can TE.
Sequence of events of nerve conduits guiding axon regeneration?
- conduit fills with plasma from the nerve stumps- fibrin EXC matrix proteins etc to help regeneration (hours)
- Fibrin cable forms which creates a scaffold to enable schwann cell migration and guides axon regeneration. (days)
- Cell migration and axon regeneration (months)
- resulting tissue is noticeably thinner not at 100% function, but working (years)
Ideal nerve conduits should be..?
- Porous to allow plasma through
- Malleable- too stiff can injury nerve/tissue
- Biocompatible
- Biodegradable- within years (don’t want a removal surgery but takes a long time to fix)
- suturable into the nerves
- sterilisable.
Types of TE nerve conduits? (2)
Decelluarised nerve conduits- top down
Bioengineered- bottom up