Artificial Human Corneas

作者：May Griffith, M. Obaidul Hakim, Shigeto Shimmura, Mitchell A. Watsky, Fengfu Li, David J. Carlsson, Charles J. Doillon, Masatsugu Nakamura, Erik J. Suuronen, Naoshi Shinozaki, Katsuhiko Nakata, Heather D. Sheardown · 发表于：Cornea · 年份：2002 · DOI：10.1097/01.ico.0000263120.68768.f8 · 被引用次数：115 · 研究领域：Corneal Surgery and Treatments、Corneal surgery and disorders、Ocular Surface and Contact Lens

PURPOSE: To review the development of artificial corneas (prostheses and tissue equivalents) for transplantation, and to provide recent updates on our tissue-engineered replacement corneas. METHODS: Modified natural polymers and synthetic polymers were screened for their potential to replace damaged portions of the human cornea or the entire corneal thickness. These polymers, combined with cells derived from each of the three main corneal layers or stem cells, were used to develop artificial corneas. Functional testing was performed in vitro. Trials of biocompatibility and immune and inflammatory reactions were performed by implanting the most promising polymers into rabbit corneas. RESULTS: Collagen-based biopolymers, combined with synthetic crosslinkers or copolymers, formed effective scaffolds for developing prototype artificial corneas that could be used as tissue replacements in the future. We have previously developed an artificial cornea that mimicked key morphologic and functional properties of the human cornea. The addition of synthetic polymers increased its toughness as it retained transparency and low light scattering, making the matrix scaffold more suitable for transplantation. These new composites were implanted into rabbits without causing any acute inflammation or immune response. We have also fabricated full-thickness composites that can be fully sutured. However, the long-term effects of these artificial corneas need to be evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: Novel tiss...