Orthogonal scaffold of magnetically aligned collagen lamellae for corneal stroma reconstruction.
The creation of 3D scaffolds that mimic the structure of physiological tissue required for normal cell function is a major bioengineering challenge. For corneal stroma reconstruction this necessitates the creation of a stroma-like scaffold consisting of a stack of orthogonally disposed sheets of aligned collagen fibrils. This study demonstrates that such a scaffold can be built up using magnetic alignment. By allowing neutralized acid-soluble type I collagen to gel in a horizontal magnetic field (7 T) and by combining a series of gelation-rotation-gelation cycles, a scaffold of orthogonal lamellae composed of aligned collagen fibrils has been formed. Although initially dilute, the gels can be concentrated without noticeable loss in orientation. The gels are translucent but their transparency can be greatly improved by the addition of proteoglycans to the gel-forming solution. Keratocytes align by contact guidance along the direction of collagen fibrils and respect the orthogonal design of the collagen template as they penetrate into the bulk of the 3D matrix. The scaffold is a significant step towards the creation of a corneal substitute with properties resembling those of native corneal stroma.
Torbet
Jim
J
Institut de Biologie et Chimie des Protéines, CNRS UMR 5086, IFR 128 Biosciences Lyon-Gerland, 69367 Lyon, France. jtorbet@ibcp.fr
Malbouyres
Marilyne
M
Builles
Nicolas
N
Justin
Virginie
V
Roulet
Muriel
M
Damour
Odile
O
Oldberg
Ake
A
Ruggiero
Florence
F
Hulmes
David J S
DJ
D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D003094:Collagen / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000166:cytology / Q000601:surgery*; D048091:Guided Tissue Regeneration / Q000379:methods*; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology* / Q000637:transplantation; D008280:Magnetics; D013508:Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D011487:Protein Conformation; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D003094:Collagen