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Telomerase immortalization of human corneal endothelial cells yields functional hexagonal monolayers.
- Source :
-
PloS one [PLoS One] 2012; Vol. 7 (12), pp. e51427. Date of Electronic Publication: 2012 Dec 21. - Publication Year :
- 2012
-
Abstract
- Human corneal endothelial cells (HCEnCs) form a monolayer of hexagonal cells whose main function is to maintain corneal clarity by regulating corneal hydration. HCEnCs are derived from neural crest and are arrested in the post-mitotic state. Thus cell loss due to aging or corneal endothelial disorders leads to corneal edema and blindness-the leading indication for corneal transplantation. Here we show the existence of morphologically distinct subpopulations of HCEnCs that are interspersed among primary cells and exhibit enhanced self-renewal competence and lack of phenotypic signs of cellular senescence. Colonies of these uniform and hexagonal HCEnCs (HCEnC-21) were selectively isolated and demonstrated high proliferative potential that was dependent on endogenous upregulation of telomerase and cyclin D/CDK4. Further transduction of HCEnC-21 with telomerase yielded a highly proliferative corneal endothelial cell line (HCEnT-21T) that was devoid of oncogenic transformation and retained critical corneal endothelial cell characteristics and functionality. This study will significantly impact the fields of corneal cell biology and regenerative medicine.
- Subjects :
- Biomarkers metabolism
Cell Differentiation
Cell Line
Cell Proliferation
Cell Shape
Cellular Senescence
Cyclin D metabolism
Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4 metabolism
Endothelium, Corneal enzymology
Endothelium, Corneal metabolism
Humans
Ion Pumps metabolism
Ion Transport
Telomerase genetics
Transduction, Genetic
Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 metabolism
Endothelium, Corneal cytology
Telomerase metabolism
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1932-6203
- Volume :
- 7
- Issue :
- 12
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- PloS one
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 23284695
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0051427