Abstract
Purpose: :
To evaluate the potential of marine sponge-based scaffolds for tissue integration in artificial cornea. The sponge skeleton is a highly porous scaffold with interconnected channels formed by spongin fibers, a type of collagenous material, and calcium carbonate spicules.
Methods: :
The skeleton of a marine sponge, Spongia spp. (Class Demospongiae: Order Dictyoceratida: Family Spongiddae) was hydrated in phosphate buffered saline pH 7.4 and sterilized by autoclaving. Primary rabbit corneal fibroblasts were seeded onto sponge skeletons of 5-mm in diameter and cultured for up to 21 days. To synthesize a sponge- hydrogel hybrid, PEG precursor solution was added to the sponge and polymerized around the embedded sponge.
Results: :
Variable pressure SEM and confocal microscopy showed that cells adhered to and wrapped around the marine sponge skeleton fibers. Within 2 weeks fibroblasts had formed extensive networks around the fiber junctions. Pore size range from 500 microns to 1.5 mm in diameter. Difference in swelling behavior between hydrogel and sponge skeleton resulted in a space surrounding the spongin branches in which cells could reside.
Conclusions: :
The sponge skeleton supported attachment and extensive proliferation of corneal fibroblasts. Increased tear strength of sponge-hydrogel hybrids allows synthetic corneas to better withstand surgical implantation procedures. Interconnected channels between sponge skeleton and hydrogel may further aid in tissue integration and nutrient perfusion.
Keywords: keratoprostheses • cornea: stroma and keratocytes