Laminin-511 and -521 Enable Efficient In Vitro Expansion of Human Corneal Endothelial Cells

Okumura N., Kakutani K., Numata R., Nakahara M., Schlötzer-Schrehardt U., Kruse F., Kinoshita S., Koizumi N.

IVOS Cornea, 2015


The purpose of this study was to investigate the usefulness of laminin isoforms as substrates for culturing human corneal endothelial cells (HCECs) for clinical applications. Laminin-511 and -521 were expressed in Descemet’s membrane and corneal endothelium. These laminin isoforms significantly enhanced the in vitro adhesion and proliferation, and differentiation of HCECs compared to uncoated control, fibronectin, and collagen I. iMatrix also supported HCEC cultivation with similar efficacy to that obtained with full-length laminin. Functional blocking of a3b1 and a6b1 integrins suppressed the adhesion of HCECs even in the presence of laminin-511.