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Engineering a Corneal Stromal Equivalent Using a Novel Multilayered Fabrication Assembly Technique.
Julia Fernández-Pérez1,2, Peter W Madden1,2, Mark Ahearne1,2
1Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, School of Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
Tissue Engineering. Part A
|May 6, 2020
Summary
Researchers developed a novel tissue-engineered cornea using decellularized porcine corneal sheets and cell-laden hydrogel. This rapid method creates a suturable corneal substitute to address donor shortages for transplantation.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Donor cornea scarcity limits transplantation options.
- Decellularized corneas face challenges with in vitro recellularization due to dense collagen structure.
- A rapid method for achieving high cellularity in corneal scaffolds is needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel, rapid method for fabricating anterior corneal substitutes.
- To create a tissue-engineered cornea with high cellularity and structural integrity.
- To assess the viability, phenotype, and surgical suitability of the engineered corneal construct.
Main Methods:
- Decellularized porcine corneal sheets were layered with cell-laden collagen I hydrogel.
- Human corneal stromal cells were encapsulated within the hydrogel.
- Constructs were cultured and seeded with epithelial cells.
- Transparency, cell viability, phenotype, and ex vivo surgical handling were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Decellularized lenticules were resistant to degradation and achieved low dsDNA levels.
- Constructs maintained high cell viability and a keratocyte-like phenotype.
- Engineered corneal constructs demonstrated successful stratification of epithelial cells and were amenable to suturing.
- Ex vivo implantation showed neoepithelium coverage and stromal integration.
Conclusions:
- A novel, rapid bottom-up approach successfully fabricated anterior corneal substitutes.
- The engineered constructs are mature, suturable, and utilize tissue-derived materials.
- This method offers a promising alternative to donor corneas for transplantation.
