Cell Spray and Goji Berry Extract Help Heal Eye Surface Injuries

Greg Howard
16th May, 2024

Cell Spray and Goji Berry Extract Help Heal Eye Surface Injuries

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • A study by Jinan University developed a cell spray treatment for corneal epithelial injuries
  • The treatment uses optimized printing conditions to maintain cell viability and phenotype
  • Adding Lycium barbarum glycopeptide (LBGP) enhances cell growth and prevents cell death
  • The combined treatment rapidly constructs multilayered cell sheets and speeds up corneal healing in rats
Corneal epithelial injuries can lead to serious visual impairments, such as corneal opacities and reduced visual acuity. Addressing these injuries swiftly is crucial for maintaining the cornea's transparency and integrity. A novel study by Jinan University introduces an innovative cell spray treatment that could revolutionize the field of regenerative medicine by offering a rapid and effective solution for corneal epithelial injuries[1]. The study established a cell spray printing platform, optimizing the printing parameters to a printing air pressure of 5 PSI (34.47 kPa) and a liquid flow rate of 30 ml/hour. These conditions were found to preserve the viability and phenotype of the corneal epithelial cells being printed. Additionally, the researchers incorporated Lycium barbarum glycopeptide (LBGP), a glycoprotein derived from wolfberry, into the treatment. LBGP was shown to enhance cell proliferation and inhibit apoptosis, thereby supporting the health and growth of the spray-printed cells. The combination of cell spray printing and LBGP enabled the rapid construction of multilayered cell sheets on both flat and curved collagen membranes in vitro. This method was further tested in a rat model with mechanical corneal injuries. The results demonstrated that the combined treatment significantly accelerated the recovery of the corneal epithelium, showcasing its potential as a therapeutic avenue for corneal epithelial injuries and regeneration. The findings from this study build upon previous research in the field of corneal regeneration. For instance, earlier studies have successfully used cultivated human corneal epithelial cell sheets for treating limbal stem cell deficiencies[2]. These studies highlighted the importance of assessing cell quality through phenomena like cell jamming and the expression of stem cell markers such as p63. However, the new cell spray treatment offers a more rapid and potentially more effective approach by directly printing viable cells onto the injury site. Moreover, the study aligns with ongoing research into the therapeutic potential of natural compounds. For example, Lycium barbarum has been studied for its neuroprotective and anti-aging properties, with its polysaccharides shown to protect neurons and retinal ganglion cells[3]. The use of LBGP in the current study underscores the broader applicability of natural compounds in modern medicine, particularly in enhancing cell therapies. The innovative approach of cell spray printing also parallels advancements in other areas of regenerative medicine. For example, the development of tissue-engineered corneal stroma using compressed collagen has shown promise in providing structural support and integrating with host tissue[4]. The cell spray treatment complements these efforts by focusing on the rapid restoration of the corneal epithelium, thereby addressing both structural and cellular aspects of corneal repair. In summary, the study by Jinan University presents a groundbreaking method for treating corneal epithelial injuries through cell spray printing combined with LBGP. This approach not only preserves cell viability but also enhances cell proliferation and inhibits apoptosis, leading to faster recovery. By integrating insights from previous research and leveraging natural compounds, this study offers a promising new direction for corneal regeneration and highlights the potential of innovative cell therapies in modern medicine.

MedicineHealthBiotech

References

Main Study

1) Cell Spray Printing Combined with Lycium Barbarum Glycopeptide Promotes Repair of Corneal Epithelial Injury.

Published 13th May, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exer.2024.109928

Related Studies

2) Cell jamming, stratification and p63 expression in cultivated human corneal epithelial cell sheets.

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-64394-6

3) Use of anti-aging herbal medicine, Lycium barbarum, against aging-associated diseases. What do we know so far?

Journal: Cellular and molecular neurobiology, Issue: Vol 28, Issue 5, Aug 2008

4) Cell-laden and orthogonal-multilayer tissue-engineered corneal stroma induced by a mechanical collagen microenvironment and transplantation in a rabbit model.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actbio.2018.06.005


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