Abstract
Purpose :
We evaluated short-term stability of a gel button of collagen-like peptide polymer in the corneal stroma and stromal tissue reaction in response to its implantation in rabbits.
Methods :
Adult Japanese albino rabbit received a circular wound (2.2 mm in diameter and 0.3 mm of depth) was made in the central cornea (n = 4). A gel button of artificial collagen-like peptide polymer of the same size as the stromal wound was implanted. The space between the implanted gel and the corneal stromal wound was filled with fibrin glue. Rabbits of the control group did not receive its implantation. The ocular surface was covered with a soft contact lens after gel implantation to prevent its dropping-off. At days 3 and 7, eyes were enucleated and processed for histology and immunohistochemistry. Distribution of myofibroblasts in corneal stroma was examined by using alpha smooth muscle actin staining.
Results :
Artificial collagen-like peptide polymer remained in the wound without dropping-off at day 3 and 7. Gel button implantation seemed to suppress myofibroblast appearance around the wound at day 7.
Conclusions :
Artificial collagen-like peptide polymer remained on the ocular surface in the short term. Implantation of the artificial collagen-like peptide polymer seemed to suppress stromal fibrotic reaction by keratocytes. To apply corneal diseases, we have to perform further investigation of mechanism of scarring suppression, medium/long term stability and material.
This abstract was presented at the 2019 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Vancouver, Canada, April 28 - May 2, 2019.