MODELS AND THERAPEUTICS FOR ENGINEERING THE OCULAR SURFACE

Tissue engineeringOcular surfaceModel systemTherapeutics;Materials Science & Engineering

Lu, QiaozhiGrant, Michael ;

Johns Hopkins University

关键词: Tissue engineeringOcular surfaceModel systemTherapeutics;    Materials Science & Engineering;   

Others  :  https://jscholarship.library.jhu.edu/bitstream/handle/1774.2/59316/LU-DISSERTATION-2017.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

瑞士|英语

来源: JOHNS HOPKINS DSpace Repository

【 摘 要 】

The ocular surface is the outermost part of the eye that protects the refractive surface and enables sharp vision. The primary components of the ocular surface are corneal and conjunctival epithelia, lacrimal glands, and meibomian glands that are functionally linked as one system. Because of its location, the ocular surface is subject to traumatic injuries and diseases. Dry eye, due to inadequate tear production or excessive evaporation, is one of the most complicated diseases of the ocular surface, whose exact pathogenesis is not yet fully understood, and more effective treatments need to be investigated.This dissertation will address the development of an in vitro ocular surface system and its application in therapeutic discovery. We first investigated a vitrified collagen membrane and its ability to support ocular surface epithelium, which also promoted the repopulation of goblet cells, a key component in mucin production. Afterwards a more complex ocular surface system was established with both conjunctival epithelium and lacrimal glands, the essential parts in tear film secretion. The three-dimensional coculture system highly resembles the structure and tear-secretion function of the native environment. This was further evaluated as a model for dry eye disease and a platform for therapeutic evaluation. One potential therapeutic we had studied is decellularized extracellular matrices (ECM). The particulate form was used as an immunomodulator to reduce inflammation and fibrosis on the ocular surface and to accelerate tissue regeneration. Model systems built based on engineering principle provide a new approach for drug discovery. This in vitro ocular surface system is proved to recapitulate the physiology of both healthy and diseased ocular surface. Its potential as a therapeutic screening device is promising and could be further investigated.