Bioengineered neo-corneal endothelium using collagen type-I coated silk fibroin film

Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces. 2015 Dec 1:136:394-401. doi: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2015.09.041. Epub 2015 Sep 25.

Abstract

Corneal transplantation, a common surgical protocol for visual acuity improvement, is limited owing to shortage of high quality donor corneas and/or lack of accurate replication of structural and biochemical composition of native cornea in a scaffold. Construction of neo-corneas utilizing novel, biocompatible and biodegradable scaffold/film source, could possibly address such formidable challenges. Herein, we designed optically transparent, micro-structurally stable silk films surface-coated with collagen type-I (Col-I/SF) as an alternative scaffold source for bioengineering of neo-cornea. Morphological, structural characteristics and in vitro biological studies were performed using primary rabbit corneal endothelial cells (rCEnCs) as models. The Col-I/SF films demonstrated higher Ra (nm) values compared to the bare SF surfaces. In vitro biological studies showed a significant increment in initial cell attachment and proliferation of cultured rCEnCs on the Col-I/SF films with well-maintained characteristic polygonal shape of rCEnCs. Although any remarkable changes regarding the morphology, expression of ZO-1 and Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase were absent, however the cells were found to be capable of well-expressing their functional proteins which regulates functions of corneal endothelium. Collectively, these results strongly suggest Col-I/SF film for future corneal transplantation therapy.

Keywords: Bioengineering; Collagen type-I; Film; Neo-corneal endothelium; Silk fibroin.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Adhesion
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Collagen Type I / chemistry*
  • Endothelium, Corneal / cytology*
  • Fibroins*
  • Microscopy, Atomic Force
  • Rabbits
  • Silk*
  • Surface Properties
  • Tissue Engineering*
  • Tissue Scaffolds*

Substances

  • Collagen Type I
  • Silk
  • Fibroins