Influence of fluid shear stress on human limbal epithelial cells

TL;DR

This study shows how fluid shear stress affects human limbal epithelial cells, with donor-specific responses and changes in cell behavior.

Contribution

The study reveals donor-dependent effects of fluid shear stress on limbal epithelial cell behavior and stratification.

Findings

Fluid shear stress alters the phenotype and stratification of limbal epithelial cells.

TRPV4 expression is up-regulated in all donors exposed to shear stress.

Dynamic culture conditions can regulate limbal epithelial cell behavior.

Abstract

Limbal epithelial cells (LECs) have a crucial role in the maintenance of the corneal surface by migrating from the limbus to the cornea and replacing corneal epithelial cells. These cells are subjected to shear stress via blinking and tear film movement but the influence this stress has on the cells is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to examine how fluidic shear stress can affect the behaviour of LECs from different donors.

A commercial fluid flow system (ibidi) was used to apply fluid shear at two different flow rates, with no flow being used as a control. Cells from three different donors were examined for phenotype, stratification, TRPV4 activation, cell adhesion and barrier function.

Both low and high shear stresses resulted in changes to the cell phenotype and these changes were highly donor dependent. Expression of TRPV4, a mechanosensitive ion-channel, was up-regulated for all donors exposed to shear stress. Stratification of cells only occurred with cells exposed to shear stress.

This study show the importance of shear stress on modulating the behaviour of LECs and how donor to donor variations and the heterogeneity of cell populations need to be considered when conducting cell based studies.

•Fluid shear stress influences the phenotype and stratification of LECs.•The effect of fluid shear stress is highly donor dependent.•Dynamic culture conditions can be used to regulate LEC behaviour.

Fluid shear stress influences the phenotype and stratification of LECs.

The effect of fluid shear stress is highly donor dependent.

Dynamic culture conditions can be used to regulate LEC behaviour.

Figures