Conclusions
The secretome of AdMSCs can inhibit TGF-β-induced EMT in CECs. These findings suggest that this could be a useful source for the treatment for EMT-related ocular surface diseases.
Methods
EMT was induced with transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) in primary human CECs isolated from the human corneal limbus. The effects of the AdMSC secretome on EMT in these cells or stratified CEC sheets were analyzed by co-cultivation experiments with the addition of AdMSC conditioned-medium. The expression of EMT-related genes and proteins in CECs was analyzed. The superstructure of CECs was observed by scanning electron microscopy. Furthermore, the barrier function of CEC sheets was analyzed by measuring transepithelial electrical resistance (TER).
Results
The AdMSC secretome was found to suppress EMT-related gene expression and attenuate TGF-β-induced corneal epithelial dysfunction including the dissociation of cell-cell interactions and decreases in TER in constructed CEC sheets. Conclusions: The secretome of AdMSCs can inhibit TGF-β-induced EMT in CECs. These findings suggest that this could be a useful source for the treatment for EMT-related ocular surface diseases.