Human platelet lysate delivered via an ocular wound chamber for the treatment of corneal epithelial injuries

Abstract

Current strategies to address corneal surface defects are insufficient to successfully resolve damage caused by injury and/or disease. To address this issue, we have developed an ocular wound chamber (OWC) that creates a fluid-filled environment by encompassing damaged ocular and periocular tissues allowing for the continuous delivery of therapeutics. This study tested human platelet lysate (hPL) as a treatment for corneal epithelial defects when used with the OWC. Corneal epithelial injuries were created in anesthetized guinea pigs by debridement of the central cornea. An OWC was placed over the injured eye and animals randomly grouped followed by injection of either 20% hPL, 100% hPL, or vehicle (balanced salt solution, BSS) into the chamber. Eyes were assessed at 0, 24, 48, and 72 h using intraocular pressure (IOP), optical coherence tomography (OCT), and fluorescein imaging. Whole globes were histologically processed, and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stained. No differences in IOP were recorded as a result of corneal wounding, chamber placement, and/or therapeutic application. OCT images demonstrated increased corneal swelling at 48 h and 72 h in the vehicle group compared to 20% hPL. Fluorescein staining showed increased corneal re-epithelialization in the 20% and 100% hPL groups at 48 h compared to vehicle only. H&E staining revealed increased stromal cellular infiltrate in the BSS group. This study demonstrates the delivery of hPL via the OWC improves corneal re-epithelialization and supports the expanded usage of the chamber in combination with hPL to manage a variety of corneal surface injuries, diseases and/or periocular conditions.