[Cultures of corneal epithelium on hydrogel for synthetic epikeratoplasty].
OBJECTIVE
To improve the LLH480 hydrogel cytocompatibility and to assess the interactions between corneal epithelium and biomaterials.


METHODS
Rabbit corneal epithelium organotypic cultures were carried out on hydrogel samples coated with fibronectin, laminin, type IV collagen, or heparan sulfate proteoglycan. The control group consisted of epithelial cultures carried out on hydrogel with no coating. Cellular migration was quantified, and statistically analyzed. 8-day cultures were processed for transmission electron microscopy.


RESULTS
Epithelial migration on hydrogel was significantly increased (p < 0.001) in the heparan sulfate proteoglycan group, significantly decreased (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001) with laminin or type IV collagen coating, and showed no significant modifications in the fibronectin group. Transmission electronic microscopy showed a monolayer of epithelial cells adherant to the surface of the hydrogel. Deposit of extracellular matrix and sketch of adhesion focal points were also noted.


CONCLUSIONS
LLH480 cytocompatibility can be improved by heparan sulfate proteoglycan coating.
Bourcier
T
T
Service d'Ophtalmologie, Hôpital Saint-Antoine, Paris.
Borderie
V
V
Carvajal-Gonzalez
S
S
Baudrimont
M
M
Laroche
L
L
D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002450:Cell Communication; D002455:Cell Division; D002465:Cell Movement; D003315:Cornea / Q000166:cytology; D016039:Corneal Transplantation; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D005109:Extracellular Matrix; D005782:Gels; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000494:pharmacology; D011817:Rabbits
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D005782:Gels; D011509:Proteoglycans