Tissue-engineered membrane based on chitosan for repair of mechanically damaged corneal epithelium

In this study, hydroxyethyl chitosan (HECTS), a water-soluble derivative of chitosan, was used to create a blend membrane and its function and application as a scaffold in repair of mechanically damaged corneal epethelia were examined. The results showed that HECTS significantly promoted growth of corneal epithelial cells (CEpCs) in vitro and that CEpCs grew well on the HECTS-based blend membrane. Fluorescent imaging showed that CEpCs were interconnected and formed layers on the membrane. After transplanting the CEpCs-seeded membranes onto the damaged corneal epithelium, we found that the epithelium was repaired faster compared with control. The repaired corneal epithelium with the membrane had a more compact structure and a smoother surface than control when observed by histology and scanning electron microscope. These results demonstrate an ability of the tissue-engineered scaffold to speed up the repair of mechanically damaged corneal epithelium.