@article{SchmidTarauRossietal.2018,
  author    = {Schmid, Richard and Tarau, Ioana-Sandra and Rossi, Angela and Leonhardt, Stefan and Schwarz, Thomas and Schuerlein, Sebastian and Lotz, Christian and Hansmann, Jan},
  title     = {In Vivo-Like Culture Conditions in a Bioreactor Facilitate Improved Tissue Quality in Corneal Storage},
  series = {Biotechnology Journal},
  volume    = {13},
  journal   = {Biotechnology Journal},
  number    = {1,1700344},
  doi       = {10.1002/biot.201700344},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-228620},
  pages     = {1-7},
  year      = {2018},
  abstract  = {The cornea is the most-transplanted tissue worldwide. However, the availability and quality of grafts are limited due to the current methods of corneal storage. In this study, a dynamic bioreactor system is employed to enable the control of intraocular pressure and the culture at the air-liquid interface. Thereby, in vivo-like storage conditions are achieved. Different media combinations for endothelium and epithelium are tested in standard and dynamic conditions to enhance the viability of the tissue. In contrast to culture conditions used in eye banks, the combination of the bioreactor and biochrom medium 1 allows to preserve the corneal endothelium and the epithelium. Assessment of transparency, swelling, and the trans-epithelial-electrical-resistance (TEER) strengthens the impact of the in vivo-like tissue culture. For example, compared to corneas stored under static conditions, significantly lower optical densities and significantly higher TEER values were measured (p-value <0.05). Furthermore, healing of epithelial defects is enabled in the bioreactor, characterized by re-epithelialization and initiated stromal regeneration. Based on the obtained results, an easy-to-use 3D-printed bioreactor composed of only two parts was derived to translate the technology from the laboratory to the eye banks. This optimized bioreactor facilitates noninvasive microscopic monitoring. The improved storage conditions ameliorate the quality of corneal grafts and the storage time in the eye banks to increase availability and reduce re-grafting.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{TarauBerlinCurcioetal.2019,
  author    = {Tarau, Ioana-Sandra and Berlin, Andreas and Curcio, Christine A. and Ach, Thomas},
  title     = {The cytoskeleton of the retinal pigment epithelium: from normal aging to age-related macular degeneration},
  series = {International Journal of Molecular Science},
  volume    = {20},
  journal   = {International Journal of Molecular Science},
  number    = {14},
  issn      = {1422-0067},
  doi       = {10.3390/ijms20143578},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-201781},
  year      = {2019},
  abstract  = {The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is a unique epithelium, with major roles which are essential in the visual cycle and homeostasis of the outer retina. The RPE is a monolayer of polygonal and pigmented cells strategically placed between the neuroretina and Bruch membrane, adjacent to the fenestrated capillaries of the choriocapillaris. It shows strong apical (towards photoreceptors) to basal/basolateral (towards Bruch membrane) polarization. Multiple functions are bound to a complex structure of highly organized and polarized intracellular components: the cytoskeleton. A strong connection between the intracellular cytoskeleton and extracellular matrix is indispensable to maintaining the function of the RPE and thus, the photoreceptors. Impairments of these intracellular structures and the regular architecture they maintain often result in a disrupted cytoskeleton, which can be found in many retinal diseases, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This review article will give an overview of current knowledge on the molecules and proteins involved in cytoskeleton formation in cells, including RPE and how the cytoskeleton is affected under stress conditions — especially in AMD.},
  language  = {en}
}