Abstract

FR.23.08

Cultivation of lacrimal gland acinar cells on amniotic membrane (2D-Model) and in bioreactors (3D-Model) to establish a long-term in-vitro model of the lacrimal gland

Schrader S.¹, Wedel T.², Kremling C.¹, Laqua H.¹, Geerling G.^3
1Department of Ophthalmology, UK S-H Campus Lübeck, ²Department of Anatomy, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel, ³Department of Ophthalmology, Julius-Maximilian-University Würzburg

Objective: The underlying cellular processes of lacrimal gland deficiency are yet poorly understood. Long-term studies of lacrimal gland acinar cells in vitro are complicated by a lack of suitable in vitro models. Aim of this project is the establishment of a long.term in vitro model of rabbit lacrimal gland acinar cells on amniotic membrane (2D-Model) and in Bioreactors (3D-Model).
Methods: Lacrimal gland acinar cells from Chinchilla Bastard- and New Zealand White rabbits are isolated and cultured on denuded amniotic membrane and in bioreactors. Cells are analysed by light microscopy and electron microscopy. Secretory function is tested by stimulation with carbachol and measurement of the b-hexosaminidase activity.
Results: In first experiments, lacrimal gland acinar cells were successfully cultured on amniotic membrane up to 28 days. Stimulation with carbachol showed a strong secretory response until day 7 and a decreasing secretory function up to 21 days.
Conclusions: The development of a long-term in vitro model of the lacrimal gland offers the opportunity to examine the effects of pharmaceuticals, hormones and growth factors on the morphology and secretory function of lacrimal gland acinar cells and is a first step towards the development of a functionally active tissue construct.

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