Due to their very poor proliferative capacity, the dysfunction of corneal endothelial cells can sometimes lead to incurable eye diseases that require corneal transplantation. Although many studies have been performed to reconstruct corneal endothelial cells, corneal transplantation is still considered to be the established approach. In this study, we developed bio-engineered Descemet stripping endothelial (DSE) layers, using porcine cornea and induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived corneal endothelial cells (iCECs). First, we optimized a protocol to prepare an ultra-thin and decellularized Descemet stripping (DS) scaffold from porcine cornea. Our DS layers show over 90% transparency compared to the control. Porcine-derived cells and xenogenic antigens disappeared, whereas the collagen matrix remained in the graft. Next, corneal endothelial cell lines or iCECs were seeded on the decellularized DS graft and cultured for 7 days. The drying method reduced graft rolling and edema, and increased transparency during culture. The reseeded cells were evenly distributed over the graft, and most of the cells survived. Although future clinical studies are warranted, engineered DSE tissues using xenogenic tissues and stem cells will be useful tools for the treatment of incurable corneal diseases.

由于其非常差的增殖能力，角膜内皮细胞功能障碍有时可导致需要角膜移植的无法治愈的眼疾。尽管已经进行了许多重建角膜内皮细胞的研究，但是角膜移植仍被认为是已建立的方法。在这项研究中，我们利用猪角膜和诱导多能干细胞（iPSC）衍生的角膜内皮细胞（iCEC）开发了生物工程化的Descemet剥离内皮（DSE）层。首先，我们优化了从猪角膜制备超薄脱细胞的Descemet剥离（DS）支架的方案。与对照相比，我们的DS图层显示超过90％的透明度。猪源细胞和异种抗原消失，而胶原基质保留在移植物中。下一个，将角膜内皮细胞系或iCECs接种在脱细胞的DS移植物上并培养7天。干燥方法减少了移植物的滚动和浮肿，并增加了培养过程中的透明度。再接种的细胞均匀地分布在移植物上，大多数细胞存活。尽管有必要进行进一步的临床研究，但使用异种组织和干细胞改造的DSE组织将成为治疗顽固性角膜疾病的有用工具。