2021 Fiscal Year Research-status Report
The establishment of a biomimetic human iPSC-derived cornea-on-a-chip for the pre-clinical evaluation of ophthalmic nanomedicines
| Project/Area Number |
20K20168
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| Research Institution | Ritsumeikan University |
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Principal Investigator |
ABDALKADER Rodi 立命館大学, 立命館グローバル・イノベーション研究機構(BKC), 助教 (20839964)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
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| Keywords | corneal epithelial cells / pluripotent stem cells / microfluidics |
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| Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
The applicant has finalized the protocol for the generation of human corneal epithelial cells from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) using a simplified small molecule-based corneal induction method (SSM-CI). The applicant has also conducted RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to compare the generated cells with human primary corneal epithelial cells (hPCEpCs). RNA-seq analysis indicated the faithful differentiation of hPSCs into corneal epithelial cells, with significant upregulation of corneal markers. Moreover, the applicant has integrated the corneal epithelium barrier on a chip with untargeted metabolomic analysis for the spatiotemporal analysis of metabolites; and 104 metabolites were annotated such as glutathione and uric acid.
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| Current Status of Research Progress |
Current Status of Research Progress
3: Progress in research has been slightly delayed.
Reason
Due to the COVID-19 situation, the initiation of experiments involving hPSCs were delayed until further acquirement for ethical approvals and the purchase of research materials.
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| Strategy for Future Research Activity |
1-The characterization of hPSC-derived corneal epithelial cells in microfluidic devices.
2-The evaluation of the spatiotemporal toxicity of ophthalmic drugs in the corneal epithelium barrier on a chip.
3-The employment of the applicant's previous reported publication for the observation of molecules secretion and transportation across the corneal epithelial barrier under drugs treatment.
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| Causes of Carryover |
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic situation, the applicant could not use the budget for attending international or domestic meetings. Therefore, the applicant is expecting to use the budget in the current fiscal year for the above-mentioned purposes as well as for publishing the results in the form of research papers.
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