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Updated: Jun 8, 2026
Ex Vivo Corneal Organ Culture Model for Wound Healing Studies
Published on: February 15, 2019
Investigation of the potential of polymer therapeutics in corneal re-epithelialisation
J Hardwicke1, B Song, R Moseley
1Wound Biology Group, Cardiff Institute of Tissue Engineering and Repair (CITER), Tissue Engineering and Reparative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Cardiff University, Heath Park, Cardiff, UK. hardwickej@doctors.org.uk
Abstract:
In this study, the first use of a bioresponsive polymer therapeutic agent in the promotion of corneal re-epithelialisation after injury in an ex vivo whole-eye organ culture model was described. A polymer-protein conjugate consisting of dextrin and recombinant human epidermal growth factor was synthesised and applied as a single dose to a 2 mm ex vivo corneal ulcer, in culture. Enhanced wound healing was observed in response to dextrin-recombinant human epidermal growth factor, when exposed to α-amylase, compared with controls. This highlights the potential for polymer therapeutics to provide a platform for bioresponsive drug/protein delivery in the field of ophthalmology.
