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.
Department of Bionanosystem Engineering, Graduate School, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju 561-756, Republic of Korea.
Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces. 2018 Apr 1;164:340-346. doi: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2017.11.052. Epub 2017 Nov 22.
Design of corneal endothelium substitute is important for replacement of cadaveric cornea tissue. Our previous study has shown the suitability of silk fibroin (SF) as a biomaterial for cornea scaffold. In this study, we used β-Carotene (β-C) to enhance the regeneration of corneal endothelial cells (CEnCs) and maintain CEnC specific function. The fabricated film scaffolds showed desired transparency and hydrophilic properties which are crucial factors for vision recovery. The cell viability, phenotype and gene expression was examined using MTT assay, immunofluorescence and reverse transcription polymerase chain reactions. Compared with pristine SF scaffold, proper amount of β-C incorporated with SF scaffolds showed higher initial cell attachment, cell viability and mRNA expression. The results indicate that the fabricated SF film scaffold incorporated with small amount of β-C might be the suitable alternative corneal endothelium substitute for transplantation.
角膜内皮替代物的设计对于替换尸体角膜组织非常重要。我们之前的研究表明丝素蛋白（SF）作为角膜支架的生物材料是合适的。在这项研究中，我们使用β-胡萝卜素（β-C）来增强角膜内皮细胞（CEnCs）的再生并维持 CEnC 的特定功能。所制备的薄膜支架表现出所需的透明度和亲水性，这是恢复视力的关键因素。通过 MTT 测定法、免疫荧光法和反转录聚合酶链反应来检测细胞活力、表型和基因表达。与原始 SF 支架相比，适量的β-C 与 SF 支架结合可显示出更高的初始细胞附着、细胞活力和 mRNA 表达。结果表明，所制备的含有少量β-C 的 SF 膜支架可能是移植用合适的角膜内皮替代物。
