Effects of biologically modified surfaces of synthetic lenticules on corneal epithelialization in vivo.
OBJECTIVE
The present study investigated the association of extracellular matrix (ECM) glycoprotein coatings with initial epithelialization of artificial lenticules in vivo.


METHODS
Collagen I, collagen IV, ECM and fibronectin were individually coated onto the surface of polycarbonate membranes. The membranes were then implanted in the anterior stroma of adult cats and were clinically assessed for rapidity and extent of epithelialization and the persistence of epithelial attachment.


CONCLUSIONS
It was demonstrated that membrane surfaces modified by collagen I, collagen IV and ECM consistently supported initial migration and attachment of corneal epithelial cells and that the surface modified with collagen I performed best.
Xie
R Z
RZ
Cooperative Research Centre for Eye Research and Technology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. t.xie@cclru.unsw.edu.au
Sweeney
D F
DF
Beumer
G J
GJ
Johnson
G
G
Griesser
H J
HJ
Steele
J G
JG
D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002415:Cats; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002465:Cell Movement; D003094:Collagen / Q000494:pharmacology; D003315:Cornea / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D004848:Epithelium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D005109:Extracellular Matrix; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D019736:Prostheses and Implants
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D005353:Fibronectins; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D003094:Collagen