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NanoskinⓇ Bacterial Cellulose as a Scaffold for De-epithelialized Corneal Surface Healing
Magda Viveiros1, Cláudia Rainho2, Natália Avelino2
1Department of Ophthalmology, Medical School, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil.
Purpose:
This study investigates the ability of Nanoskin, a bacterial cellulose (BC) biofilm, to transfer human corneal epithelial cells (CECs) onto wounded rabbit corneas, evaluating integration and re-epithelialization of the ocular surface.
Methods:
Primary cultures of human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were established and differentiated into CECs, which were then seeded onto Nanoskin BC or soft contact lenses. Wounded rabbit corneas were covered with human CECs on BC biofilms or contact lenses and maintained in organ culture for 5 days. The control group was left untreated. Integration and re-epithelialization were assessed using immunofluorescence (IF) staining with human anti-nuclei antibodies.
Results:
Wounded rabbit corneas successfully re-epithelialized with both scaffolds. IF staining confirmed the presence of human epithelial cells in the regenerating rabbit corneal epithelium for both Nanoskin BC and contact lens groups, confirming effective cell transfer. Morphometric analysis revealed that control wounded corneas had significantly fewer epithelial cells (P 0.001) compared to those treated with cell transfer.
Conclusion:
Our findings demonstrate the feasibility of using Nanoskin BC as a scaffold for corneal cell transplantation, highlighting its potential as a promising biomaterial for treating ocular surface diseases. Future investigations are required to evaluate the transfer efficiency of MSCs, given their superior proliferative capacity and secretion of growth factors.
