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Corneal Tissue Engineering: An In Vitro Model of the Stromal-nerve Interactions of the Human Cornea
Published on: January 24, 2018
Preparation and characterization of decellularized cornea using high-hydrostatic pressurization for corneal tissue
Yoshihide Hashimoto1, Seiichi Funamoto, Shuji Sasaki
1Division of Biofunctional Molecules, Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan.
Biomaterials
|February 19, 2010
Summary
High-hydrostatic pressurization effectively decellularizes porcine corneas for tissue regeneration. This method removes cells, restores optical properties, and prevents immune reactions, creating a promising corneal scaffold.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Corneal blindness is a significant global health issue.
- Acellular corneal scaffolds are crucial for corneal tissue regeneration.
- Existing decellularization methods have limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a novel method for preparing acellular corneal scaffolds using high-hydrostatic pressurization (HHP).
- To assess the efficacy of HHP in decellularizing porcine corneas and restoring their optical properties.
- To investigate the biocompatibility and regenerative potential of HHP-derived scaffolds in an animal model.
Main Methods:
- Porcine corneas were decellularized using high-hydrostatic pressurization (HHP) at 980 MPa and varying temperatures (10°C or 30°C).
- Cellular components were removed via washing with cell culture medium, with and without dextran to control swelling.
- Histological analysis (H-E staining) confirmed cell removal, and optical properties were restored using glycerol immersion.
Main Results:
- HHP successfully disrupted and removed corneal cells, confirmed by H-E staining.
- Corneal swelling during washing was mitigated by using medium containing 3.5% dextran.
- Glycerol treatment restored optical clarity to native cornea levels.
- Implantation of acellular porcine corneas into rabbit eyes showed no immune response and resulted in corneal clearing.
Conclusions:
- High-hydrostatic pressurization is an effective method for producing acellular corneal scaffolds from porcine corneas.
- HHP-treated scaffolds demonstrate good biocompatibility and potential for corneal tissue regeneration.
- This technique offers a promising alternative for creating corneal substitutes for treating blindness.
