DR. SHARON DSOUZA

DR. GAIRIK KUNDU, DR. RITIKA MULLICK, DR. ROHIT SHETTY

Abstract

Purpose

Corneal endothelial cells (CECs) are crucial for corneal function and its loss is the leading indication for endothelial keratoplasty (EK). A lack of donor corneas has led to seek alternative strategies to derive CECs.

Method

We reprogrammed blood cells from a healthy individual to obtain iPSCs. The generated iPSCs were characterised and differentiated to CECs. The iPSC derived CECs were validated by their expression of typical CEC associated markers by live imaging microscopy, immunofluorescence and quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR).

Results

The iPSC derived CECs exhibited the typical cobble stone morphological feature of CECs. The derived CECs expressed characteristic proteins associated to corneal endothelium and its function.

Conclusions

We have successfully devised a process of generating CECs from iPSCs which can be used to treat CECs loss.