Characterization of Tunable Poly-ε-Lysine-Based Hydrogels for Corneal Tissue Engineering.

Rebecca Lace,Andrew G Gallagher,Osama Maklad,Georgia L Duffy,Donald A Wellings,Kyle G Doherty,Rachel L Williams

doi:10.1002/mabi.202100036

Rebecca Lace, Andrew G Gallagher + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1002/mabi.202100036

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Abstract

A family of poly-ε-lysine hydrogels can be synthesized by crosslinking with bis-carboxylic acids using carbodiimide chemistry. In addition to creating hydrogels using a simple cast method, a fragmented method is used to introduce increased porosity within the hydrogel structure. Both methods have created tunable characteristics ranging in their mechanical properties, transparency, and water content, which is of interest to corneal tissue engineering and can be tailored to specific cellular needs and applications. With a worldwide shortage of cornea donor tissue available for transplant and limitations including rejection and potential infection, a synthetic material that can be used as a graft, or a partial thickness corneal replacement, would be an advantageous treatment method. These hydrogels can be tuned to have similar mechanical and transparency properties to the human cornea. They also support the attachment and growth of corneal epithelial cells and the integration of corneal stromal cells.

Highlights

The cornea is the transparent window at the front of the eye
Throughout the literature the biomechanical properties of the human cornea have been studied, this varies from study to study due to the method of testing such as: models based on clinical examinations, uniaxial tensile strip tests, compression, or indentation methods
Another study based on a clinical method estimated the modulus of elasticity of the human cornea as 0.29 MPa; this is a similar value to 30-0.13 hydrogels and all 60-0.1 and 60-0.13 pεK hydrogel variants when tensile testing.[21]

Summary

Introduction

The cornea is the transparent window at the front of the eye. It helps to focus light onto the retina and functions as a barrier to protect the eye against UV radiahave created tunable characteristics ranging in their mechanical properties, tion and the invasion of particles.[1]. The current treatment for damage to any of these layers is either a partial or full thickness corneal transplant from a cadaveric donor.[2] there is a shortage be an advantageous treatment method. These hydrogels can be tuned to have of donor cornea tissue available for transsimilar mechanical and transparency properties to the human cornea. They support the attachment and growth of corneal epithelial cells and the integration of corneal stromal cells

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