Abstract

Purpose:To demonstrate the generation of corneal endothelial cells (CEnCs) from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) cells & injected into cadaveric globes to study their integration.
Method:Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were reprogrammed to iPSCs and differentiated to CEnCs. The iPSC derived CEnCs(iCEnCs) were characterized by immunostaining for morphology & functionality. Endothelial cells were removed from cadaveric eyeball with non-transplantable grade cornea. The iCEnCs were injected into cadaver eye& incubated in organ culture media. Specular &fluorescent microscopy used to assess integration of iCEnCs.
Result:Post injection and incubation of iCEnCs, specular microscopy showed presence of cells on the DM endothelial layer. The iCENCs demonstrates morphological and functional CEnC specific markers like ZO-1, Na-K-ATPase.
Conclusion:We report the integration of iCEnCs on ex-vivo cornea which is step closer to generating corneal endothelium. Next step animal experiments.

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