Functional Lacrimal Gland Regeneration by Transplantation of a Bioengineered Organ Germ

    October 2013 in “ Nature Communications ”
    Masatoshi Hirayama, Miho Ogawa, Masamitsu Oshima, Yurie Sekine, Kentaro Ishida, Kentaro Yamashita, Kazutaka Ikeda, Shigeto Shimmura, Tetsuya Kawakita, Kazuo Tsubota, Takashi Tsuji
    TLDR Bioengineered lacrimal glands can restore tear production and protect eyes.
    The study demonstrated the successful orthotopic transplantation of bioengineered lacrimal gland germs into adult mice with a lacrimal gland defect, which served as a model for corneal epithelial damage due to lacrimal gland dysfunction. The bioengineered glands developed in vivo and achieved physiological functionality, including tear production in response to nervous stimulation and protection of the ocular surface. This research highlighted the potential for bioengineered organ replacement to restore the function of the lacrimal gland, addressing issues related to dry-eye disease and its impact on vision and quality of life.
    Discuss this study in the Community →

    Research cited in this study

    1 / 1 results