Development of corneal nerve induction system using three dimensional gel culture system

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24592671
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Ophthalmology
• Research Institution: Hiroshima University
• Principal Investigator: CHIKAMA Taiichiro 広島大学, 大学院医歯薬保健学研究院(医), 准教授 (00263765)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): KO Ji-Ae 広島大学, 医歯薬保健学研究院(医), 講師 (70314797)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 神経再生 / 神経麻痺性角膜症

Outline of Final Research Achievements

For neurotrophic keratopathy in eyes with keratoplasty or LASIK, we will generate a new treatment of corneal nerve regenerative induction.
We have tried to develop three dimensional gel culture system which can carry out quantitative estimation constantly. Until now, co-culture of neural cells (PC12) and corneal fibroblasts in three dimensional gel have been successful. However, nerve fiber induction rate by gradient concentration of the nerve growth factor (NGF) have been unstable. On the other hand, with co-culture system by vitrigel, trigeminal nerve is essential for corneal epithelial stratification. Furthermore, our results revealed that substance P and CGRP play important role for corneal epithelial stratification.

Free Research Field

眼科学