Bacterial nanocellulose compared to the amniotic membrane as a potential corneal bandage material

Abstract

AbstractPurposeTo compare bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) patches produced by K.xylinus, against the amniotic membrane (AM) as a bandage material for ocular surface disorders. Based on previous structural characterizations of our BNC patches, and detailed cytocompatibility tests of BNC with human dermal fibroblasts; we hypothesise that BNC is viable as a bandage material for corneal surface disorders.MethodsWe tested the mechanical resistance of BNC (n = 6) and AM (n = 5) samples by using progressively weighted sutures to tear the samples. In order to test material stability, 6 samples of each type were maintained in culture media at physiological conditions for 30 days. Then any change in the morphology, nanostructure and light absorbance were analysed. Finally, in order to study the effects of corneal tissue on the samples, we sutured 3 of each type to ex‐vivo porcine corneas and cultured them in physiological conditions for 2 weeks. After which, morphology, fibre nanostructure and transparency were evaluated.ResultsBNC resisted tearing at the suture point until an average weight of 41g while AM resisted <4.5 g. After 30 days in culture, both sample types lost some mass, BNC maintained transparency while AM became more opaque and had some crystal formations. After culture with a cornea; BNC presented no obvious nanostructure degradation, while AM did show some areas with more pores. Macroscopically, BNC samples remained more transparent than AM.ConclusionsBased on the results, BNC is more resistant mechanically to sutures, equally conformable to the dome shape of the eye, and more stable than AM. Overall these results support BNC as a promising new ocular bandage material.