Department of BIN Fusion Technology, Department of Polymer Nano Science & Technology, and Polymer BIN Research Center, Chonbuk National University , Deokjin-gu, Jeonju 561-756, Republic of Korea.
ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 2016 Jun 22;8(24):15160-8. doi: 10.1021/acsami.6b04901. Epub 2016 Jun 8.
The goal of this study was to fabricate an appropriate replacement for cadaveric corneas to overcome a shortage of cadaveric corneas for transplantation. In this study, we fabricated transparent ultrathin film scaffolds with nature-derived aloe vera (AV) gel and silk fibroin (SF) for corneal endothelial cells (CECs). The scaffolds were subjected to analysis of transparency and contact angle using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to determine their physical and chemical properties. FESEM images revealed that the critical morphology of CECs was formed on the AV gel in the blend with SF rather than in the scaffold with SF alone. The cell proliferation, phenotype, and specific gene marker expressions for CECs were determined by MTT assays, immunofluorescence, and reverse transcription polymerase chain reactions. Incorporation of a small amount of AV gel increased the cell viability and maintained its functions well. The scaffolds were easily handled for transplantation into rabbit eyes with small incisions and examined by their transparency after transplantation and histological staining. The scaffolds attached to the surface of the corneal stroma and integrated with surrounding corneal tissue without a significant inflammatory reaction. These results indicate that AV blended SF film scaffolds might be a suitable substitute for alternative corneal grafts for transplantation.
本研究旨在制造一种合适的替代品来替代尸体角膜，以解决尸体角膜供移植不足的问题。在这项研究中，我们用天然来源的芦荟凝胶（AV）和丝素蛋白（SF）制造了透明超薄的角膜内皮细胞（CEC）薄膜支架。我们通过场发射扫描电子显微镜（FESEM）和傅里叶变换红外光谱对支架进行透明度和接触角分析，以确定其物理和化学性质。FESEM 图像显示，在与 SF 混合的 AV 凝胶上而不是在仅含有 SF 的支架上形成了 CEC 的临界形态。我们通过 MTT 检测、免疫荧光和反转录聚合酶链反应来确定细胞增殖、表型和 CEC 的特定基因标志物表达。少量 AV 凝胶的掺入增加了细胞活力，并能很好地维持其功能。我们可以通过小切口将支架轻松移植到兔子眼中，并在移植后和组织学染色后检查其透明度。支架附着在角膜基质表面，并与周围角膜组织整合，没有明显的炎症反应。这些结果表明，AV 混合 SF 薄膜支架可能是一种合适的替代品，可用于移植替代角膜供体。
