Abstract
Purpose: :
Comparison of novel corneal epithelial culture carrier with amniotic membrane.
Methods: :
4 patients were donors of limbal epithelium for corneal epithelial culture in each method. Each patient suffer from limbal stem cell deficiency in one eye, contralateral was healthy. Cells from limbal biopsy were seeded on amniotic membrane and on genipin crosslinked chitosan hydrogel scaffolds. Cultures were carried in standard conditions (atmosphere: 5% CO2, 95% air) in supplememted DMEM in presence of 3T3 fibroblasts. After 2 weeks cultures were qualified for grafting. After superficial keratectomy carriers with cells were transplanted on denuded corneas. Stabilisation of corneal surface was evaluated.
Results: :
1 month after surgery eyes with amniotic membrane showed stabile epithelium with corneal haze caused by the amnion. In eyes covered by chitosan hydrogel epithelium was stabile, however we observed prolonged hydrogel presence under epithelium.
Conclusions: :
Chitosan hydrogels ware valuable epithelial grafts carriers.
Keywords: cornea: epithelium