Optimization of polycaprolactone‑ based nanofiber matrices for the cultivation of corneal endothelial cells

Himmler M, Garreis F, Paulsen F, Schubert DW, Fuchsluger TA (2021)

Publication Language: English

Publication Type: Journal article, Original article

Publication year: 2021

Journal

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-98426-6

Abstract

Posterior lamellar transplantation of the eye’ s cornea (DSAEK, DMEK) currently is the gold standard
for treating patients with corneal endothelial cell and back surface pathologies resulting in functional
impairment. An artificial biomimetic graft carrying human corneal endothelium could minimize the
dependency on human donor corneas giving access to this vision‑restoring surgery to large numbers of
patients, thus reducing current long waiting lists. In this study, four groups of electrospun nanofibrous
scaffolds were compared: polycaprolactone (PCL), PCL/collagen, PCL/gelatin and PCL/chitosan.
Each of the scaffolds were tissue‑engineered with human corneal endothelial cells (HCEC‑B4G12)
and analyzed with regard to their potential application as artificial posterior lamellar grafts. Staining
with ZO‑1 and Na+/K+‑ATPase antibodies revealed intact cell functionalities. It could be shown, that
blending leads to decreasing contact angle, whereby a heterogeneous blend morphology could be
revealed. Scaffold cytocompatibility could be confirmed for all groups via live/dead staining, whereby
a significant higher cell viability could be observed for the collagen and gelatine blended matrices with
97 ± 3% and 98 ± 2% living cells respectively. TEM images show the superficial anchoring of the HCECs
onto the scaffolds. This work emphasizes the benefit of blended PCL nanofibrous scaffolds for corneal
endothelial keratoplasty.

Authors with CRIS profile

Involved external institutions

Universitätsmedizin Rostock Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Himmler, M., Garreis, F., Paulsen, F., Schubert, D.W., & Fuchsluger, T.A. (2021). Optimization of polycaprolactone‑ based nanofiber matrices for the cultivation of corneal endothelial cells. Nature Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-98426-6

MLA:

Himmler, Marcus, et al. "Optimization of polycaprolactone‑ based nanofiber matrices for the cultivation of corneal endothelial cells." Nature Medicine (2021).

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