The in vitro corneal biocompatibility of hydroxyapatite-coated carbon mesh

The purpose of this study was to consider the use of a hydroxyapatite (HA) coated porous carbon matrix as a synthetic dental laminate substitute in osteo-odonto-keratoprosthetic (OOKP) design. 3 types of carbon meshes were coated with HA by sonoelectrochemical deposition. The materials were characterised by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and HA deposition was characterised by elemental analysis and X-ray diffractometry (XRD). In vitro assays were carried out to quantify the effects of HA coating on human keratocyte adhesion. Cellular cytokine production was used to assess inflammatory potential. HA coating significantly increased keratocyte adhesion to the carbon matrix (p<0.01). The materials did not induce excessive cytokine production by the adherent keratocytes. In addition, the matrices themselves adsorbed significant levels of the cytokine IL-8 (p<0.05). The results indicate that HA coated carbon matrices provide a suitable environment to enhance in-growth of corneal cells without inducing further inflammation. The materials may also suppress excessive inflammation by adsorption of the cytokine IL-8 into the porous, internal carbon structure.