Glycerol Modulated Collagen Fibril Evolution and Lamellar Organization for Biomimetic Corneal Substitutes...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Ophthalmology
• Tissue Engineering

Background:

• Collagen is crucial for corneal structure and transparency.
• Creating artificial corneas with human-like thickness and optics in vitro remains challenging.
• Current keratoprosthesis strategies struggle to balance corneal thickness, transparency, and permeability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate glycerol's role in regulating collagen structure for artificial cornea development.
• To develop a collagen-based artificial corneal substitute (Col-Gly-OX) with improved properties.
• To evaluate the in vitro and in vivo performance of the developed artificial cornea.

Main Methods:

• Collagen hydrogel treatment with glycerol to induce multiscale structural evolution.
• Structure analysis at molecular, nanoscale, and macroscopic levels.
• Oxazolidine crosslinking to stabilize the collagen ultrastructure.
• In vitro biocompatibility and in vivo studies in rabbit lamellar keratectomy models.

Main Results:

• Glycerol treatment led to weakened collagen crystallization, ordered microfibril packaging, and optimized lamellar structure.
• The resulting Col-Gly-OX exhibited integrated optical clarity, mechanical robustness, and high permeability.
• In vivo studies showed excellent tissue integration, epithelialization, and stromal remodeling.
• Col-Gly-OX demonstrated manufacturability, easy preservation, and in vitro biocompatibility.

Conclusions:

• Glycerol acts as a regulator to mediate multiscale collagen organization for artificial cornea development.
• The developed Col-Gly-OX is a promising bionic artificial cornea with superior optical and mechanical properties.
• This study presents a green, simple, and effective strategy for creating advanced artificial corneal substitutes.