Purpose: To compare the corneal epitheliotrophic capacity of different human blood-derived preparations, including cord blood serum (CBS), peripheral blood serum (PBS), and fresh frozen plasma (FFP) on bovine corneal epithelial cells.
Materials and methods: The concentrations of epithelial growth factor, transforming growth factor β1, insulin-like growth factor 1, hyaluronic acid, fibronectin, albumin, glucose, and calcium in different human blood derivatives were evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or biochemical methods. Cultivated bovine corneal epithelial cells were incubated with various blood derivatives, and cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation were evaluated by colorimetric assay, Boyden chamber chemotaxis assay, wounding assay, scanning electron microscopy, and transepithelial electric resistance measurements. Wound closure was assessed using a scratch-induced directional wounding assay.
Results: Of the 3 human blood derivatives evaluated, CBS had the highest concentrations of epithelial growth factor, transforming growth factor β1, and hyaluronic acid (P < 0.05). FFP had the lowest concentration of calcium and the highest concentration of glucose (P < 0.05). CBS demonstrated the highest ability to promote cellular proliferation, followed by PBS and FFP (P < 0.05). CBS was also the best in promoting cellular differentiation because scanning electron microscopy demonstrated coherent monolayers of flattened and polygonal-shaped cells with evenly distributed microvilli. Transepithelial electric resistance was noted to be the highest for cells incubated in CBS, indicating formation of well-differentiated cells with functional tight junction (P < 0.05). Cells cultivated with FFP were the least capable of promoting proliferation, migration, and differentiation.
Conclusions: Different human blood derivatives may have different concentrations of epitheliotrophic factors. CBS is generally superior to PBS in promoting corneal epithelial proliferation and differentiation.