isolation-and-identification-of-limbal-niche-cells

Isolation and Identification of Limbal Niche Cells

Here we report a standard procedure for the isolation and identification of limbal niche cells (LNCs). Limbus tissue obtained from an eye bank was used ...

Huazhong University of Science and Technology

Constrained by the existing scaffold inability to mimic limbal niche, limbal bio-engineered tissue constructed in vitro is challenging to be widely used in clinical practice. Here, a 3D nanofiber-aerogel scaffold is fabricated by employing thermal cross-linking electrospinned film polycaprolactone (PCL) and gelatin (GEL) as the precursor. Benefiting from the cross-linked (160 °C, vacuum) structure, the homogenized and lyophilized 3D nanofiber-aerogel scaffold with preferable mechanical strength is capable of refraining the volume collapse in humid vitro. Intriguingly, compared with traditional electrospinning scaffolds, the authors' 3D nanofiber-aerogel scaffolds possess enhanced water absorption (1100-1300%), controllable aperture (50-100 µm), and excellent biocompatibility (optical density value, 0.953 ± 0.021). The well-matched aperture and nanostructure of the scaffolds with cells enable the construction of limbal bio-engineered tissue. It is foreseen that the proposed general method can be extended to various aerogels, providing new opportunities for the development of novel limbal bio-engineered tissue.

Chunxiu You

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