The Preliminary Experimental Study of Induced Differentiation of Embryonic Stem Cells into Corneal Epithelial Cells

Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose: To study preliminarily induced differentiation of embryonic stem cells into corneal epithelial cells in vitro. Methods: Murine embryonic stem cells were co-cultured with Rabbit limbal corneal epithelial cells in Transwell system to induce differentiation. Mophological and immunohistochemical examination was implemented. Results: Embryonic stem cells can differentiated into epithelial-like cells, The cells formed network and were confluent into film gradually after co-cultured with rabbit limbal corneal epithelial cells 24-96 hours. The cells ranged mosaic structure and localized together with clear rim. Most of the cells were regular of same size as polygonal appearance. Transmission electron microscope showed lots of microvilli on the surface of induced cells and tight junction between them. The induced cells expressed the corneal epithelial cell specific marker cytokeratin3/cytokeratin12. Conclusion: Rabbit limbal corneal epithelial cells can induce murine embryonic stem cells to differentiate into corneal epithelial cells. The potential mechanism for the procedure is still to be further verified

Keywords: 370 cornea: basic science • 340 cell-cell communication • 372 cornea: epithelium