[Implantation of modified polyhydroxyethyl methacrylate-polymethyl methacrylate keratoprostheses in rabbit and monkey corneas].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the biocolonization of polyhydroxyethyl methacrylate (PHEMA) sponge with cornea tissue and evaluate the therapeutic effects of modified porous PHEMA-PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate) Keratoprostheses (KPro) on rabbit and monkey corneas.


METHODS
The KPro were made using two-stage polymerization combined with mechanical cutting. The experiment was divided into two groups. In the control group (A group), ten normal rabbit eyes received lamellar implantation of PHEMA sponges. The sponges were obtained 2 weeks, 1, 2, 3 and 4 months after operation. The cell proliferation and neovascularization inside the sponges were observed using light and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and immunohistochemistry. In the experimental group (B group), the porous PHEMA-PMMA KPros were inserted into the lamellar pockets of ten rabbit corneas and two monkey corneas (stage I operation). The healing process was investigated by slit-lamp microscopy. The anterior lamellar cornea tissues were removed 3 months after surgery, exposing the underneath transparent core (stage II operation). The operated eyes were then followed up for 3 - 6 months.


RESULTS
No complication was observed in A group. Under the light microscope, fibroblasts started to grow into the cornea 2 weeks after operation; lots of cells, accompanied with new blood vessels, invaded into the cornea 2 - 3 months after surgery. Invading cells of sponge, as well as keratocyte, were positive for vimentin. Under the electron microscope, the invading cells looked healthy and were surrounded by extracellular matrix and collagen. In B group, eight rabbit eyes which have received KPro implantation, anterior lamellar cornea melting happened in two eyes after the stage I operation. The remaining six corneas retained their central cores during observation after the stage II operation. Two monkey operated eyes were found no complication throughout the whole follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
The PHEMA sponge can obtain a tight fusion with the host cornea. The modified PHEMA-PMMA KPros have obtained a relatively stable therapeutic results after implantation into animal corneas.
Guo
Ping
P
Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology of the Ministry of Education, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China.
Chen
Jia-qi
JQ
Tan
Bai-hua
BH
Wang
Zhi-chong
ZC
Liu
Zu-guo
ZG
Yuan
Jin
J
Gu
Jian-jun
JJ
Huang
Hai
H
D000818:Animals; D001187:Artificial Organs; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D003315:Cornea; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D008422:Materials Testing; D011102:Polyhydroxyethyl Methacrylate; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation; D011817:Rabbits
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011102:Polyhydroxyethyl Methacrylate; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate