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Novel materials to enhance keratoprosthesis integration
S R Sandeman1, R G Faragher, M C Allen
1Department of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Brighton, East Sussex. s.sandeman@brighton.ac.uk
The British Journal of Ophthalmology
|June 6, 2000
Summary
Incorporating specific acrylate co-monomers like phenoxyethyl methacrylate (PEM) or 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DEM) into poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (p(HEMA)) significantly enhances keratocyte adhesion. This finding is crucial for developing improved keratoprostheses (KPros) skirt materials.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Ophthalmology
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Successful integration of keratoprostheses (KPros) relies on host keratocyte adhesion to the implant skirt.
- Preventing epithelial downgrowth is critical for KPro functionality and longevity.
- Poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (p(HEMA)) is a base material, but its keratocyte adhesion properties need enhancement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of incorporating acrylate co-monomers into p(HEMA) hydrogels.
- To determine the impact of methacrylic acid (MA), 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DEM), and phenoxyethyl methacrylate (PEM) on keratocyte adhesion.
- To assess the suitability of modified p(HEMA) as a KPro skirt material.
Main Methods:
- Free radical polymerization was used to synthesize p(HEMA) hydrogels with varying co-monomer concentrations.
- Keratocytes were cultured on the hydrogel discs for 72 hours.
- Viable and non-viable cell adhesion was quantified using a viability/cytotoxicity assay (calcein-AM/EthD-1).
- Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) assays were employed to measure cell adhesion.
Main Results:
- Incorporating 15 mol% PEM or 20 mol% DEM increased keratocyte adhesion to p(HEMA) by over fourfold.
- Viability/cytotoxicity assays confirmed enhanced adhesion with PEM and DEM.
- ATP assays validated PEM results but were unreliable for DEM due to hydrogel absorption.
Conclusions:
- p(HEMA) properties can be modulated to significantly improve keratocyte adhesion through the incorporation of PEM or DEM.
- These modified p(HEMA) materials show promise as novel skirt materials for keratoprostheses.
- Further development of KPro skirt materials can benefit from these findings to enhance implant integration and patient outcomes.