Quantitative results of the artificial human sclero-corneal limbus corresponding to the work"Generation of a bioengineering substitute of the human sclero-corneal limbus using a novel decellularization method".

This dataset corresponds to the quantification results of the artificial human sclero-corneal limbus analyzed in the manuscript entitled "Generation of a bioengineered substitute of the human sclero-corneal limbus using a novel decellularization method"

Severe dysfunction of the human limbus associated with limbal stem cell deficiency is a therapeutic challenge, especially when a structural alteration of the limbal niche is associated. In this work, we have developed and characterized a limbal substitute by comparing seven decellularization protocols applied to the human native limbus, and its potential was determined in terms of decellularization effectiveness, biocompatibility and safety, as well as their capability to support cell attachment and differentiation. Results showed that the use of protocols P1 to P4, based on strong ionic detergents such as SDS, was not efficient for decellularizing the human limbus, and the best results in terms of decellularizing efficiency and extracellular matrix preservation were found when SDC and sulfobetaines were combined in protocols P5, P6 and P7. These protocols were biocompatible, as macrophages cultured with decellularized scaffolds were viable and differentiated to the pro-regenerative M2 phenotype without inducing a significant increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Protocols P6 and P7 supported cell attachment, survival and differentiation of corneal epithelial cells and four types of mesenchymal stem cells cultured on the surface of these scaffolds. Cellularized limbi showed positive expression of several limbal cell markers, especially in scaffolds decellularized with protocol P6. These results support the use of protocol P6 for the generation of human limbal substitutes by tissue engineering using decellularized human limbi. Future studies should determine their clinical potential in patients with structural limbal damage.