Human Anterior Lens Capsule As A Novel Biological Scaffold For In Vitro Expansion Of Cadaveric Limbal Stem Cells
Published 2026 - 44th Congress of the ESCRS
Reference: POCOR454 | Type: Free paper | DOI: 10.82333/bzwq-7212
Authors: Dr Ozlem Dikmetas* 1 , Dr Beyzanur Karaca 1 , Dr Hilal Toprak Tellioğlu 2 , Dr Ayşe Ceren Özkorkmaz 1 , Dr Handan Sevim Akan 3 , Dr Esin Akbay Çetin 3 , A/Prof. Mehmet Ali Onur 3 , A/Prof. Sibel Kocabeyoğlu 1
1Ophthalmology,Hacettepe University,Ankara,Türkiye, 2Ophthalmology,Dışkapı Yıldırım Beyazıt,Ankara,Türkiye, 3Biology,Hacettepe University,Ankara,Türkiye
Purpose
Limbal stem cells are responsible for the regeneration of the corneal epithelium and play a fundamental role in maintaining ocular surface integrityCurrent treatment approaches include limbal stem cell transplantation from a living donor or allograft tissue; however, these methods carry potential risks for the donor eye and require long-term immunosuppressive therapy in allograft recipients.
This study aimed to evaluate the effect of using the human anterior lens capsule, obtained as medical waste during cataract surgery, as a biological substrate for in vitro expansion of cadaver-derived limbal stem cells, and to assess its effects on cell viability, proliferation, and preservation of stem cell phenotype.
Setting
Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
Hacettepe University Department of Biology, Ankara, Turkey
Methods
Limbal biopsies obtained from cadaveric corneal tissues were dissected under sterile conditions. Limbal epithelial cells were isolated using explant method. Isolated cells were cultured in Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM) supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS), 1% penicillin/streptomycin, epidermal growth factor (EGF), and fibroblast growth factor (FGF), and expanded through serial passaging until adequate cell density was achieved. Following expansion, cells were characterized using specific limbal stem cell markers. In the experimental group, cells were seeded onto anterior lens capsule substrates, whereas Poly-D-Lysine–coated culture surfaces were used as the control group.
Results
Early cell adhesion, organized cell spreading, and formation of multilayered epithelium-like structures were observed in limbal cells cultured on the anterior lens capsule. Cell viability was higher in the experimental group compared with the control group. The proportion of p63α-positive basal cells was significantly higher in the lens capsule group than in the control group (p<0.05).
Limbal epithelial cells cultured on the anterior lens capsule demonstrated enhanced early adhesion, organized cell spreading, and formation of multilayered epithelial-like structures. MTT analysis revealed significantly higher cell viability in the lens capsule group compared to controls at all time points (p<0.05).
Conclusions
The human anterior lens capsule represents an effective, low-cost, and easily accessible biological substrate for in vitro production of cadaver-derived limbal stem cells. Utilization of this tissue, routinely obtained during cataract surgery, enables the recycling of medical waste while offering a potential alternative to reduce reliance on living donors and allograft tissue.
This study demonstrates the effect of limbal stem cell production from minimal tissue using anterior lens capsule support. This strategy may contribute to the development of safer, more sustainable, and more accessible cell-based therapeutic approaches for the treatment of limbal stem cell deficiency in the future.