Abstract
Purpose: :
To establish an in vitro cellular model to evaluate integration characteristics of polymeric artificial cornea materials.Background: Successful integration of artificial cornea is still a major challenge today. We have developed variety of porous materials with well-controlled pore size and structure using a Spherically Templated technique. Limited in vitro biointegration characterization methods are available to evaluate the materials efficiently.
Methods: :
SV40-transfected corneal epithelial cells are used in the in vitro model. These cells were seeded on variety of polymeric artificial cornea materials (including Silicone-based STAR base material and modified with type1 collagen and fibronectin) and incubated for 65H in order to establish proliferation and migration characteristic parameters. After incubation for 65H, each polymer material was prepared for staining of Calcein AM and high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HR-SEM) to observe cell viability. These findings were then compared with in vivo rabbit models.
Results: :
Our method showed significant difference in migration patterns of type1 collagen and fibronectin coated polymer compared to control. This enhanced migration and proliferation pattern was also observed by fluorescence microscope. These results were correlated with the in vivo rabbit model.
Conclusions: :
Our in vitro model may provide accurate bio-integration characteristics and can be used to systematically evaluate polymeric materials in vitro. The findings can be used as an essential part of optimization process in material development for artificial cornea.
Keywords: cornea: epithelium • keratoprostheses • wound healing