The new preservative-free ophthalmic formulation of bilastine 0.6% preserves the ocular surface epithelial integrity in a comparative in vitro study.

Allergic conjunctivitis (AC) is the most common form of allergic eye disease and an increasingly prevalent condition. Topical eye drop treatments are the usual approach for managing AC, although their impact on the ocular surface is not frequently investigated. The aim of this study was to perform a comparative physicochemical characterization, and in vitro biological evaluations in primary conjunctival and corneal epithelial cells of the new multidose preservative-free bilastine 0.6% and main commercially available eye drops. MTT assay was used to measure cell viability; oxidative stress was analyzed with a ROS-sensitive probe; and apoptosis was evaluated monitoring caspase 3/7 activation. Differences in pH value, osmolarity, viscosity and phosphate levels were identified. Among all formulations, bilastine exhibited pH, osmolarity and viscosity values closer to tear film (7.4, 300 mOsm/l and ~ 1.5-10 mPa·s, respectively), and was the only phosphates-free solution. Single-dose ketotifen did not induce ROS production, and single-dose azelastine and bilastine only induced a mild increase. Bilastine and single-dose ketotifen and azelastine showed high survival rates attributable to the absence of preservative in its formulation, not inducing caspase-3/7-mediated apoptosis after 24 h. Our findings support the use of the new bilastine 0.6% for treating patients with AC to preserve and maintain the integrity of the ocular surface.

Pirin is a prognostic marker of human melanoma that dampens the proliferation of malignant cells by downregulating JARID1B/KDM5B expression.

Originally considered to act as a transcriptional co-factor, Pirin has recently been reported to play a role in tumorigenesis and the malignant progression of many tumors. Here, we have analyzed the diagnostic and prognostic value of Pirin expression in the early stages of melanoma, and its role in the biology of melanocytic cells. Pirin expression was analyzed in a total of 314 melanoma biopsies, correlating this feature with the patient's clinical course. Moreover, PIR downregulated primary melanocytes were analyzed by RNA sequencing, and the data obtained were validated in human melanoma cell lines overexpressing PIR by functional assays. The immunohistochemistry multivariate analysis revealed that early melanomas with stronger Pirin expression were more than twice as likely to develop metastases during the follow-up. Transcriptome analysis of PIR downregulated melanocytes showed a dampening of genes involved in the G1/S transition, cell proliferation, and cell migration. In addition, an in silico approach predicted that JARID1B as a potential transcriptional regulator that lies between PIR and its downstream modulated genes, which was corroborated by co-transfection experiments and functional analysis. Together, the data obtained indicated that Pirin could be a useful marker for the metastatic progression of melanoma and that it participates in the proliferation of melanoma cells by regulating the slow-cycling JARID1B gene.

Plasma-Based Bioinks for Extrusion Bioprinting of Advanced Dressings.

Extrusion bioprinting based on the development of novel bioinks offers the possibility of manufacturing clinically useful tools for wound management. In this study, we show the rheological properties and printability outcomes of two advanced dressings based on platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and platelet-poor plasma (PPP) blended with alginate and loaded with dermal fibroblasts. Measurements taken at 1 h, 4 days, and 18 days showed that both the PRP- and PPP-based dressings retain plasma and platelet proteins, which led to the upregulation of angiogenic and immunomodulatory proteins by embedded fibroblasts (e.g., an up to 69-fold increase in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), an up to 188-fold increase in monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1), and an up to 456-fold increase in hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) 18 days after printing). Conditioned media harvested from both PRP and PPP constructs stimulated the proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), whereas only those from PRP dressings stimulated HUVEC migration, which correlated with the VEGF/MCP-1 and VEGF/HGF ratios. Similarly, the advanced dressings increased the level of interleukin-8 and led to a four-fold change in the level of extracellular matrix protein 1. These findings suggest that careful selection of plasma formulations to fabricate wound dressings can enable regulation of the molecular composition of the microenvironment, as well as paracrine interactions, thereby improving the clinical potential of dressings and providing the possibility to tailor each composition to specific wound types and healing stages.

Characterisation of corneas following different time and storage methods for their use as a source of stem-like limbal epithelial cells.

The transplantation of expansions of limbal epithelial stem cells (LESC) remains one of the most efficient therapies for the treatment of limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) to date. However, the available donor corneas are scarce, and the corneas conserved for long time, under hypothermic conditions (after 7 days) or in culture (more than 28 days), are usually discarded due to poor viability of the endothelial cells. To establish an objective criterion for the utilisation or discarding of corneas as a source of LESC, we characterized, by immunohistochemistry analysis, donor corneas conserved in different conditions and for different periods of time. We also studied the potency of LESCs isolated from these corneas and maintained in culture up to 3 cell passages. We hoped that the study of markers of LESCs present in both the corneoscleral histological sections and the cell cultures would show the adequacy of the methods used for cell isolation and how fit the LESC enrichment of the obtained cell populations to be expanded was. Thus, the expressions of markers of the cells residing in the human limbal and corneal epithelium (cytokeratin CK15 and CK12, vimentin, Collagen VII, p63α, ABCG2, Ki67, Integrin ß4, ZO1, and melan A) were analysed in sections of corneoscleral tissues conserved in hypothermic conditions for 2-9 days with post-mortem time (pmt) < 8 h or for 1 day with pmt > 16 h, and in sclerocorneal rims maintained in an organ culture medium for 29 days. Cell populations isolated from donor corneoscleral tissues were also assessed based on these markers to verify the adequacy of isolation methods and the potential of expanding LESCs from these tissues. Positivity for several putative stem cell markers such as CK15 and p63α was detected in all corneoscleral tissues, although a decrease was recorded in the ones conserved for longer times. The barrier function and the ability to adhere to the extracellular matrix were maintained in all the analysed tissues. In limbal epithelial cell cultures, a simultaneous decrease in the melan A melanocyte marker and the putative stem cell markers was detected, suggesting a close relationship between the melanocytes and the limbal stem cells of the niche. Holoclones stained with putative stem cell markers were obtained from long-term, hypothermic, stored sclerocorneal rims. The results showed that the remaining sclerocorneal rims after corneal transplantation, which were conserved under hypothermic conditions for up to 7 days and would have been discarded at a first glance, still maintained their potential as a source of LESC cultures.

Cytocompatibility and Suitability of Protein-Based Biomaterials as Potential Candidates for Corneal Tissue Engineering.

The vision impairments suffered by millions of people worldwide and the shortage of corneal donors show the need of substitutes that mimic native tissue to promote cell growth and subsequent tissue regeneration. The current study focused on the in vitro assessment of protein-based biomaterials that could be a potential source for corneal scaffolds. Collagen, soy protein isolate (SPI), and gelatin films cross-linked with lactose or citric acid were prepared and physicochemical, transmittance, and degradation measurements were carried out. In vitro cytotoxicity, cell adhesion, and migration studies were performed with human corneal epithelial (HCE) cells and 3T3 fibroblasts for the films' cytocompatibility assessment. Transmittance values met the cornea's needs, and the degradation profile revealed a progressive biomaterials' decomposition in enzymatic and hydrolytic assays. Cell viability at 72 h was above 70% when exposed to SPI and gelatin films. Live/dead assays and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis demonstrated the adhesion of both cell types to the films, with a similar arrangement to that observed in controls. Besides, both cell lines were able to proliferate and migrate over the films. Without ruling out any material, the appropriate optical and biological properties shown by lactose-crosslinked gelatin film highlight its potential for corneal bioengineering.

Expansion of Human Limbal Epithelial Stem/Progenitor Cells Using Different Human Sera: A Multivariate Statistical Analysis.

Transplantation of human cultured limbal epithelial stem/progenitor cells (LESCs) has demonstrated to restore the integrity and functionality of the corneal surface in about 76% of patients with limbal stem cell deficiency. However, there are different protocols for the expansion of LESCs, and many of them use xenogeneic products, being a risk for the patients' health. We compared the culture of limbal explants on the denuded amniotic membrane in the culture medium-supplemental hormone epithelial medium (SHEM)-supplemented with FBS or two differently produced human sera. Cell morphology, cell size, cell growth rate, and the expression level of differentiation and putative stem cell markers were examined. Several bioactive molecules were quantified in the human sera. In a novel approach, we performed a multivariate statistical analysis of data to investigate the culture factors, such as differently expressed molecules of human sera that specifically influence the cell phenotype. Our results showed that limbal cells cultured with human sera grew faster and contained similar amounts of small-sized cells, higher expression of the protein p63α, and lower of cytokeratin K12 than FBS cultures, thus, maintaining the stem/progenitor phenotype of LESCs. Furthermore, the multivariate analysis provided much data to better understand the obtaining of different cell phenotypes as a consequence of the use of different culture methodologies or different culture components.

Hyaluronic Acid Combined with Serum Rich in Growth Factors in Corneal Epithelial Defects.

The aim of this study is to assess if an adhesive biopolymer, sodium hyaluronate (NaHA), has synergistic effects with s-PRGF (a serum derived from plasma rich in growth factors and a blood derivative that has already shown efficacy in corneal epithelial wound healing), to reduce time of healing or posology. In vitro proliferation and migration studies, both in human corneal epithelial (HCE) cells and in rabbit primary corneal epithelial (RPCE) cultures, were carried out. In addition, we performed studies of corneal wound healing in vivo in rabbits treated with s-PRGF, NaHA, or the combination of both. We performed immunohistochemistry techniques (CK3, CK15, Ki67, ß4 integrin, ZO-1, α-SMA) in rabbit corneas 7 and 30 days after a surgically induced epithelial defect. In vitro results show that the combination of NaHA and s-PRGF offers the worst proliferation rates in both HCE and RPCE cells. Addition of NaHA to s-PRGF diminishes the re-epithelializing capability of s-PRGF. In vivo, all treatments, given twice a day, showed equivalent efficacy in corneal epithelial healing. We conclude that the combined use of s-PRGF and HaNA as an adhesive biopolymer does not improve the efficacy of s-PRGF alone in the wound healing of corneal epithelial defects.

Serum from plasma rich in growth factors regenerates rabbit corneas by promoting cell proliferation, migration, differentiation, adhesion and limbal stemness.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the regenerating potential and the mechanisms through which the autologous serum derived from plasma rich in growth factors (s-PRGF) favours corneal wound healing in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: We compared the effect of various concentrations of s-PRGF versus fetal bovine serum (FBS) and control treatment in rabbit primary corneal epithelial and stromal cells and wounded rabbit corneas. Cell proliferation was measured using an enzymatic colorimetric assay. In vitro and in vivo wound-healing progression was assessed by image-analysis software. Migration and invasion were evaluated using transfilter assays. Histological structure was analysed in stained sections. Protein expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: s-PRGF promoted the robust proliferation of epithelial cultures at any concentration, similar to FBS. Likewise, s-PRGF and FBS produced similar re-epithelialization rates in in vitro wound-healing assays. In vivo, s-PRGF treatment accelerated corneal wound healing in comparison with control treatment. This difference was significant only for 100% s-PRGF treatment in our healthy rabbit model. Histological analysis confirmed normal epithelialization in all cases. Immunohistochemistry showed a higher expression of cytokeratins 3/76 and 15, zonula occludens-1 and alpha-smooth muscle actin proteins as a function of s-PRGF concentration. Notably, keratocyte density in the anterior third of the stroma increased with increase in s-PRGF concentration, suggesting an in vivo chemotactic effect of s-PRGF on keratocytes that was further confirmed in vitro. CONCLUSION: s-PRGF promotes proliferation and migration and influences limbal stemness, adhesion and fibrosis during corneal healing.

Corneal wound healing promoted by 3 blood derivatives: an in vitro and in vivo comparative study.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the effect on corneal wound healing of 3 differently manufactured blood derivatives [autologous serum (AS), platelet-rich plasma, and serum derived from plasma rich in growth factors (s-PRGF)]. METHODS: Scratch wound-healing assays were performed on rabbit primary corneal epithelial cultures and human corneal epithelial cells. Additionally, mechanical debridement of rabbit corneal epithelium was performed. Wound-healing progression was assessed by measuring the denuded areas remaining over time after treatment with each of the 3 blood derivatives or a control treatment. RESULTS: In vitro data show statistically significant differences in the healing process with all the derivatives compared with the control, but 2 of them (AS and s-PRGF) induced markedly faster wound healing. In contrast, although the mean time required to complete in vivo reepithelization was similar to that of AS and s-PRGF treatment, only wounds treated with s-PRGF were significantly smaller in size from 2.5 days onward with respect to the control treatment. CONCLUSIONS: All 3 blood derivatives studied are promoters of corneal reepithelization. However, the corneal wound-healing progresses differently with each derivative, being faster in vitro under AS and s-PRGF treatment and producing in vivo the greatest decrease in wound size under s-PRGF treatment. These findings highlight that the manufacturing process of the blood derivatives may modulate the efficacy of the final product.

In vitro effects of three blood derivatives on human corneal epithelial cells.

PURPOSE: We compared the effects of three blood derivatives, autologous serum (AS), platelet-rich plasma (PRP), and serum derived from plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF), on a human corneal epithelial (HCE) cell line to evaluate their potential as an effective treatment for corneal epithelial disorders. METHODS: The concentrations of epidermal growth factor (EGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), and fibronectin were quantified by ELISA. The proliferation and viability of HCE cells were measured by an 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) colorimetric assay. Cell morphology was assessed by phase-contrast microscopy. The patterns of expression of several connexin, involucrin, and integrin α6 genes were analyzed by real-time RT-PCR. RESULTS: We found significantly higher levels of EGF in PRGF compared to AS and PRP. However, AS and PRGF induced robust proliferation of HCE cells. In addition, PRGF cultured cells grew as heterogeneous colonies, exhibiting differentiated and non-differentiated cell phenotypes, whereas AS- and PRP-treated cultures exhibited quite homogeneous colonies. Finally, PRGF upregulated the expression of several genes associated with communication and cell differentiation, in comparison to AS or PRP. CONCLUSIONS: PRGF promotes biological processes required for corneal epithelialization, such as proliferation and differentiation. Since PRGF effects are similar to those associated with routinely used blood derivatives, the present findings warrant further research on PRGF as a novel alternative treatment for ocular surface diseases.

Imprinting of mammalian male gametes is gene specific and does not occur at a single stage of differentiation.

Epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation and alterations to chromatin structure have been proposed as hallmarks of imprinting in somatic cells after fertilization. In the germ cell line, gene imprinting needs to be reset in order to transmit the correct sex-specific imprinting pattern to the next generation. The precise timing of imprint erasure and re-establishment for many genes remains to be determined and precise molecular mechanisms of genomic imprinting have not yet been fully characterized. Here, we have analysed the methylation state and DNase-I sensitivity of two genes with reciprocal genomic imprinting (U2af1-rs1 and H19 genes) in a male mouse primordial germ cell (PGC) derived cell line (EG-1), isolated post-natal spermatogonia and mature sperm cells. Our results show that establishment of imprinting of the U2af1-rs1 and H19 genes during male germ cell differentiation occurs at different stages of differentiation. Furthermore, the presence of DNase-I hypersensitive sites may constitute a molecular marker to identify alleles and subsequently acquire the appropriate methylation imprint. We propose that this molecular identifier may be present or absent for a specific gene according to the sex of the gamete.

Terfenadine-induced apoptosis in human melanoma cells is mediated through Ca2+ homeostasis modulation and tyrosine kinase activity, independently of H1 histamine receptors.

In our previous works, we have demonstrated that terfenadine (TEF) induces DNA damage and apoptosis in human melanoma cell lines. In this present work, we have studied the effect of histamine on viability of A375 human melanoma cells and the cell-signalling pathways through which TEF may induce its apoptotic effect. We have found that exogenous histamine stimulates A375 melanoma cell proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Moreover, TEF-induced apoptosis seems to occur via other cellular pathways independent of the histamine-signalling system since co-treatment of histamine with TEF did not protect melanoma cells from the cytotoxic effect of TEF, and alpha fluoromethylhistidine did not induce the same cytotoxic effect of TEF. In addition, we have observed that knocking down the H1 histamine receptor (HRH1) by small interference RNA approach protects melanoma cells only slightly from TEF-induced apoptosis. To explore the molecular mechanisms responsible for histamine and TEF effect on the cell growth, we analysed intracellular cyclic nucleotides and Ca(2+) levels. TEF did not modify intracellular levels of cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate and cyclic guanine 3',5'-monophosphate; however, TEF induced a very sharp and sustained increase in cytosolic Ca(2+) levels in A375 melanoma cells. On the contrary, histamine did not modulate intracellular Ca(2+). TEF-induced Ca(2+) rise and apoptosis appear to be phospholipase C (PLC) dependent since neomycin and U73122, two inhibitors of PLC, abolished cytosolic Ca(2+) increase and protected the cells completely from cell death. Furthermore, inhibition of tyrosine kinase activity by genistein blocked cytosolic Ca(2+) rise and TEF-induced apoptosis. These results suggest that TEF modulates Ca(2+) homeostasis and induces apoptosis through other cellular pathways involving tyrosine kinase activity, independently of HRH1.

Interleukin-2 induces the proliferation of mouse primordial germ cells in vitro.

Primordial germ cells (PGCs) are the stem cell precursors of the germ line. Several growth factors contribute to enlarging the PGC population by acting as mitogens, survival factors or both. Interleukin-2 (IL-2) has a growth-promoting activity for T and B-lymphocytes, but its role in PGCs had not yet been studied. Here, we show that PGCs isolated from 10.5, 11.5 and 12.5 day postcoitum (dpc) mouse embryos constitutively express the three subunits (alpha, beta and gamma) of the IL-2 receptor (IL-2R). In contrast, IL-2 mRNA was not detected in these cells. However, the addition of recombinant IL-2 to the culture medium increased the number of PGCs in vitro via a mitogenic effect, as indicated by bromodeoxyuridine incorporation assays. Neutralization of the IL-2 receptor using anti-IL-2R subunit antibodies inhibited this IL-2-mediated proliferative effect on PGCs from 11.5 dpc embryos. Together, these data are indicative of a paracrine effect of IL-2 on PGC proliferation. In this regard, we also compared the effect of IL-2 with other compounds such as basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), steel factor, leukemia inhibitory factor and forskolin, and found that the degree of proliferation induced by IL-2 was similar to that induced by bFGF and forskolin. These observations support the notion that similar patterns of molecular signaling may underlie the developmental pathways of hematopoietic and germ stem cell precursors.

Epigenetic regulation of the imprinted U2af1-rs1 gene during retinoic acid-induced differentiation of embryonic stem cells.

Epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation and changes in chromatin structure are changes in the chemical composition or structure of DNA that work by regulating gene expression. Their mechanisms of action have been generally studied in imprinted genes. The present work analyzes the involvement of these mechanisms in the expression of the U2af1-rs1 imprinted gene during the differentiation process of embryonic stem (ES) cells induced by retinoic acid. By DNA digestion with methylation-dependent or independent restriction enzymes and consecutive Southern blot, we have found that methylation of the U2af1-rs1 gene increases in differentiated ES cells and in embryoid bodies. However, northern blot and real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis showed a higher expression of the U2af1-rs1 gene in differentiated ES cells and in embryoid bodies than in undifferentiated ones. On the other hand, the sensitivity to DNase-I assay demonstrated an open chromatin conformation for differentiated cells with regard to undifferentiated ES cells. Our results suggest that the expression of the U2af1-rs1 gene would be regulated by changes in chromatin structure rather than by DNA methylation during the RA-induced process of differentiation of ES cells.