RT info:eu-repo/semantics/article
T1 Characterization and functional performance of a commercial human conjunctival epithelial cell line
A1 García Posadas, Laura
A1 Romero Castillo, Ismael
A1 Katsinas, Nicolaos
A1 Krstić, Luna
A1 López García, Antonio
A1 Diebold Luque, María Yolanda
K1 Conjunctiva
K1 Conjuntiva
K1 Epithelium
K1 Epitelio
K1 Cell line
K1 Línea celular
K1 Ocular surface
K1 Superficie ocular
K1 3201.09 Oftalmología
AB The conjunctiva is a complex tissue that covers the eye beginning at the corneal limbus and extending over the inner surfaces of the eyelids. Due to its important functions in maintaining the health of the ocular surface, adequate in vitro models of conjunctival structure and function are essential to understand its roll in different pathologies. Because there is scarcity of human conjunctival tissue that can be used in research, cell lines are often the only option for initial studies. An immortalized human conjunctival epithelial cell (IM-HConEpiC) line is now commercially available; however, it is not very well characterized. In this study, we have developed a new protocol to culture these cells without the use of collagen-coated culture surfaces, but with a defined cell culture medium. We characterized IM-HConEpiCs cultured under these conditions and corroborated that the cells maintained a conjunctival epithelial phenotype, including acidic and neutral mucins, junctional proteins E-cadherin and zonula occludens 1, and expression of CK8 and CK19, among others. In addition, we analyzed the response to oxidative stress and inflammatory stimuli and found that IM-HConEpiCs respond as expected for conjunctival epithelial tissue. For instance, cells exposed to oxidative stress increased the production of reactive oxygen species, and that increase was blocked in the presence of an antioxidant agent. In addition, after stimulation with TNF-α, IM-HConEpiCs significantly increased the production of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and IP-10. Therefore, with this study we conclude that IM-HConEpiCs can be a useful tool in functional studies to determine the response of the conjunctiva to pathological conditions and/or to test new therapeutic strategies.
PB Elsevier
SN 0014-4835
YR 2022
FD 2022
LK https://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/54576
UL https://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/54576
LA eng
NO Experimental Eye Research, 2022, vol. 223, 109220
NO Producción Científica
DS UVaDOC
RD 19-oct-2024