Isolation and Expansion of Multipotent Progenitors from Human Trabecular Meshwork

Sci Rep. 2018 Feb 12;8(1):2814. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-21098-2.

Abstract

To expand multi-potent progenitors from human trabecular meshwork (TM), we have created a new optimized method on two-dimensional (2D) followed by three-dimensional (3D) Matrigel in modified embryonic stem cell medium supplemented with 5% fetal bovine serum (MESCM + 5% FBS). The expanded TM cells were small cuboidal cells expressing TM markers such as AQP1, MGP, CHI3L1, and AnkG, embryonic stem cell (ESC) markers such as Oct4, Sox2, Nanog, and ABCG2, and neural crest (NC) markers such as p75NTR, FOXD3, Sox9, Sox10, and MSX1. Although expanded cells lost expression of these markers after passage, the cells regained the markers when Passage 2 cells were seeded on 3D Matrigel through activation of canonical BMP signaling. Such restored progenitors could differentiate into corneal endothelial cells, adipocytes, and chondrocytes but not keratocytes or osteocytes. Therefore, we have concluded that human TM harbors multipotent progenitors that can be effectively isolated and expanded using 2D Matrigel in MESCM + 5% FBS. This unique in vitro model system can be used to understand how TM is altered in glaucoma and whether such TM progenitor cells might one day be used for treating glaucoma or corneal endothelial dysfunction.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adipocytes / metabolism
  • Cell Culture Techniques / methods*
  • Cell Differentiation / physiology
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chondrocytes / metabolism
  • Collagen / chemistry
  • Drug Combinations
  • Embryonic Stem Cells / physiology
  • Endothelial Cells / metabolism
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • Humans
  • Laminin / chemistry
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells
  • Models, Biological
  • Multipotent Stem Cells / physiology*
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Osteocytes / metabolism
  • Proteoglycans / chemistry
  • Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor
  • SOX9 Transcription Factor
  • SOXE Transcription Factors
  • Trabecular Meshwork / metabolism*

Substances

  • Drug Combinations
  • FOXD3 protein, human
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • Laminin
  • NGFR protein, human
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Proteoglycans
  • Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor
  • SOX10 protein, human
  • SOX9 Transcription Factor
  • SOX9 protein, human
  • SOXE Transcription Factors
  • matrigel
  • Collagen