Engineering the crystalline lens with a biodegradable or non-degradable scaffold

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering

Background:

• The crystalline lens is crucial for vision, and its regeneration is a key challenge in ophthalmology.
• Tissue engineering offers promising strategies for restoring lens function after damage or removal.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate biodegradable hyaluronic acid (HA) and nondegradable synthetic polymer (SP) scaffolds for rabbit lens tissue engineering.
• To compare the efficacy of HA and SP scaffolds in directing natural lens regeneration.

Main Methods:

• Dutch Belt and New Zealand white rabbits underwent lens removal and capsular bag sealing.
• Scaffolds of cross-linked HA, HA solution, SP, or a combination (HA/SP) were injected into the capsular bag.
• Nd:YAG laser photocoagulation was used in one case to assess HA gel clearing.

Main Results:

• HA scaffolds promoted spherical lens regeneration with excellent cortical structure and clarity.
• SP and HA/SP scaffolds resulted in clear anterior lens regrowth but opacified posterior regions.
• Focal photocoagulation showed partial clearing of retained HA gel.

Conclusions:

• Both biodegradable HA and nondegradable SP scaffolds can direct natural lens tissue regeneration.
• HA scaffolds appear to yield more uniformly clear regenerated lenses compared to SP scaffolds.
• These findings highlight the potential of engineered scaffolds in ocular tissue regeneration.