Abstract
Human corneal equivalents comprising the three main layers of the cornea (epithelium, stroma, and endothelium) were constructed. Each cellular layer was fabricated from immortalized human corneal cells that were screened for use on the basis of morphological, biochemical, and electrophysiological similarity to their natural counterparts. The resulting corneal equivalents mimicked human corneas in key physical and physiological functions, including morphology, biochemical marker expression, transparency, ion and fluid transport, and gene expression. Morphological and functional equivalents to human corneas that can be produced in vitro have immediate applications in toxicity and drug efficacy testing, and form the basis for future development of implantable tissues.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Animal Testing Alternatives
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Biomedical Engineering*
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Cell Line
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Cells, Cultured
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Chondroitin Sulfates
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Collagen
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Cornea* / cytology
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Cornea* / growth & development
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Cornea* / physiology
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Corneal Opacity / chemically induced
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Corneal Stroma / cytology
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Corneal Stroma / growth & development
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Corneal Stroma / physiology
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Corneal Transplantation
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Cross-Linking Reagents
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Culture Techniques*
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Electrophysiology
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Endothelium, Corneal / cytology
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Endothelium, Corneal / growth & development
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Epithelium, Corneal / cytology
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Epithelium, Corneal / growth & development
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Gene Expression
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Glutaral
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Humans
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Ion Channels
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Ouabain / pharmacology
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Patch-Clamp Techniques
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Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate / pharmacology
Substances
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Cross-Linking Reagents
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Ion Channels
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Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate
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Ouabain
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Chondroitin Sulfates
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Collagen
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Glutaral