Yiqin Du

Bio: Yiqin Du is an academic researcher from University of Pittsburgh. The author has contributed to research in topics: Stem cell & Trabecular meshwork. The author has an hindex of 26, co-authored 60 publications receiving 2850 citations. Previous affiliations of Yiqin Du include Peking University.

Reconstruction of chemically burned rat corneal surface by bone marrow-derived human mesenchymal stem cells.

Abstract: To examine whether transplantation of human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) could reconstruct the corneal damage and also whether grafted MSCs could differentiate into corneal epithelial cells, we isolated MSCs from healthy donors. After growth and expansion on amniotic membrane, cells were transplanted into rat corneas 7 days after chemical burns. Reconstruction of the damaged cornea and the rat vision were measured once a week by slit lamp and by an optokinetic head-tracking instrument, respectively. Corneas were then cut out, fixed, and imbedded for immunofluorescent study of the expression of keratin 3 and keratin-pan as epithelial cell markers. Expression of CD45, interleukin 2, and metalloproteinase-2 was also investigated for inflammation and inflammation-related angiogenesis. The data showed that transplantation of MSCs, like limbal epithelial stem cells, successfully reconstructed damaged rat corneal surface. Interestingly, the therapeutic effect of the transplantation may be associated with the inhibition of inflammation and angiogenesis after transplantation of MSCs rather than the epithelial differentiation from MSCs. This study provides the first line of evidence that MSCs can be used for reconstruction of damaged corneas, presenting a new source for autotransplantation in the treatment of corneal disorders.

Multipotent stem cells in human corneal stroma.

Abstract: Keratocytes of the corneal stroma secrete a specialized extracellular matrix essential for vision. These quiescent cells exhibit limited capacity for self-renewal and after cell division become fibroblastic, secreting nontransparent tissue. This study sought to identify progenitor cells for human keratocytes. Near the corneal limbus, stromal cells expressed ABCG2, a protein present in many adult stem cells. The ABCG2-expressing cell population was isolated as a side population (SP) by cell sorting after exposure to Hoechst 33342 dye. The SP cells exhibited clonal growth and continued to express ABCG2 and also PAX6, product of a homeobox gene not expressed in adult keratocytes. Cloned SP cells cultured in medium with fibroblast growth factor-2 lost ABCG2 and PAX6 expression and upregulated several molecular markers of keratocytes, including keratocan, aldehyde dehydrogenase 3A1, and keratan sulfate. Cloned corneal SP cells under chondrogenic conditions produced matrix staining with toluidine blue and expressed cartilage-specific markers: collagen II, cartilage oligomatrix protein, and aggrecan. Exposure of cloned SP cells to neurogenic culture medium upregulated mRNA and protein for glial fibrillary acidic protein, neurofilament protein, and beta-tubulin II. These results demonstrate the presence of a population of cells in the human corneal stroma expressing stem cell markers and exhibiting multipotent differentiation potential. These appear to be the first human cells identified with keratocyte progenitor potential. Further analysis of these cells will aid elucidation of molecular mechanisms of corneal development, differentiation, and wound healing. These cells may be a resource for bioengineering of corneal stroma and for cell-based therapeutics.

Multipotent Stem Cells in Human Corneal Stroma

Abstract: Keratocytes of the corneal stroma secrete a specialized extracellular matrix essential for vision. These quiescent cells exhibit limited capacity for self-renewal and after cell division become fibroblastic, secreting nontransparent tissue. This study sought to identify progenitor cells for human keratocytes. Near the corneal limbus, stromal cells expressed ABCG2, a protein present in many adult stem cells. The ABCG2-expressing cell population was isolated as a side population (SP) by cell sorting after exposure to Hoechst 33342 dye. The SP cells exhibited clonal growth and continued to express ABCG2 and also PAX6, product of a homeobox gene not expressed in adult keratocytes. Cloned SP cells cultured in medium with fibroblast growth factor-2 lost ABCG2 and PAX6 expression and upregulated several molecular markers of keratocytes, including keratocan, aldehyde dehydrogenase 3A1, and keratan sulfate. Cloned corneal SP cells under chondrogenic conditions produced matrix staining with toluidine blue and expressed cartilage-specific markers: collagen II, cartilage oligomatrix protein, and aggrecan. Exposure of cloned SP cells to neurogenic culture medium upregulated mRNA and protein for glial fibrillary acidic protein, neurofilament protein, and beta-tubulin II. These results demonstrate the presence of a population of cells in the human corneal stroma expressing stem cell markers and exhibiting multipotent differentiation potential. These appear to be the first human cells identified with keratocyte progenitor potential. Further analysis of these cells will aid elucidation of molecular mechanisms of corneal development, differentiation, and wound healing. These cells may be a resource for bioengineering of corneal stroma and for cell-based therapeutics.

Stem Cell Therapy Restores Transparency to Defective Murine Corneas

Abstract: Corneal scarring from trauma and inflammation disrupts vision for millions worldwide, but corneal transplantation, the primary therapy for corneal blindness, is unavailable to many affected individuals. In this study, stem cells isolated from adult human corneal stroma were examined for the ability to correct stromal opacity in a murine model by direct injection of cells into the corneal stroma. In wild-type mice, injected human stem cells remained viable for months without fusing with host cells or eliciting an immune T-cell response. Human corneal-specific extracellular matrix, including the proteoglycans lumican and keratocan, accumulated in the treated corneas. Lumican-null mice have corneal opacity similar to that of scar tissue as a result of disruption of stromal collagen organization. After injection with human stromal stem cells, stromal thickness and collagen fibril defects in these mice were restored to that of normal mice. Corneal transparency in the treated mice was indistinguishable from that of wild-type mice. These results support the immune privilege of adult stem cells and the ability of stem cell therapy to regenerate tissue in a manner analogous to organogenesis and clearly different from that of normal wound healing. The results suggest that cell-based therapy can be an effective approach to treatment of human corneal blindness.

Concise review: mesenchymal stem/multipotent stromal cells: the state of transdifferentiation and modes of tissue repair--current views.

Abstract: Mesenchymal stem cells or multipotent stromal cells (MSCs) isolated from the bone marrow of adult organisms were initially characterized as plastic adherent, fibroblastoid cells with the capacity to generate heterotopic osseous tissue when transplanted in vivo. In recent years, MSCs or MSC-like cells have been shown to reside within the connective tissue of most organs, and their surface phenotype has been well described. A large number of reports have also indicated that the cells possess the capacity to transdifferentiate into epithelial cells and lineages derived from the neuroectoderm. The broad developmental plasticity of MSCs was originally thought to contribute to their demonstrated efficacy in a wide variety of experimental animal models of disease as well as in human clinical trials. However, new findings suggest that the ability of MSCs to alter the tissue microenvironment via secretion of soluble factors may contribute more significantly than their capacity for transdifferentiation in tissue repair. Herein, we critically evaluate the literature describing the plasticity of MSCs and offer insight into how the molecular and functional heterogeneity of this cell population, which reflects the complexity of marrow stroma as an organ system, may confound interpretation of their transdifferentiation potential. Additionally, we argue that this heterogeneity also provides a basis for the broad therapeutic efficacy of MSCs. Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.

Concise Review: Evidence for CD34 as a Common Marker for Diverse Progenitors

Abstract: CD34 is a transmembrane phosphoglycoprotein, first identified on hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. Clinically, it is associated with the selection and enrichment of hematopoietic stem cells for bone marrow transplants. Due to these historical and clinical associations, CD34 expression is almost ubiquitously related to hematopoietic cells, and it is a common misconception that CD34-positive (CD34+) cells in nonhematopoietic samples represent hematopoietic contamination. The prevailing school of thought states that multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) do not express CD34. However, strong evidence demonstrates CD34 is expressed not only by MSC but by a multitude of other nonhematopoietic cell types including muscle satellite cells, corneal keratocytes, interstitial cells, epithelial progenitors, and vascular endothelial progenitors. In many cases, the CD34+ cells represent a small proportion of the total cell population and also indicate a distinct subset of cells with enhanced progenitor activity. Herein, we explore common traits between cells that express CD34, including associated markers, morphology and differentiation potential. We endeavor to highlight key similarities between CD34+ cells, with a focus on progenitor activity. A common function of CD34 has yet to be elucidated, but by analyzing and understanding links between CD34+ cells, we hope to be able to offer an insight into the overlapping properties of cells that express CD34. Stem Cells 2014;32:1380–1389

Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Regenerative Medicine.

Abstract: In recent decades, the biomedical applications of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have attracted increasing attention. MSCs are easily extracted from the bone marrow, fat, and synovium, and differentiate into various cell lineages according to the requirements of specific biomedical applications. As MSCs do not express significant histocompatibility complexes and immune stimulating molecules, they are not detected by immune surveillance and do not lead to graft rejection after transplantation. These properties make them competent biomedical candidates, especially in tissue engineering. We present a brief overview of MSC extraction methods and subsequent potential for differentiation, and a comprehensive overview of their preclinical and clinical applications in regenerative medicine, and discuss future challenges.