Using poly(lactide-co-glycolide) electrospun scaffolds to deliver cultured epithelial cells to the cornea.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the potential of electrospun poly(lactide-co-glycolide) membranes to provide a biodegradable cell carrier system for limbal epithelial cells.


METHODS
50:50 poly(lactide-co-glycolide) scaffolds were spun, sterilized and seeded with primary rabbit limbal epithelial cells. Cells were cultured on the scaffolds for 2 weeks and then examined by confocal microscopy, cryosectioning and scanning-electron microscopy. The tensile strength of scaffolds before and after annealing and sterilization was also studied.


RESULTS
The limbal cells had formed a continuous multilayer of cells on either side of the scaffold. Scaffolds with cells showed signs of the onset of degradation within 2 weeks in culture media at 37 degrees C. Scaffolds that were annealed resulted in a more brittle and stiff mat.


CONCLUSIONS
We suggest this carrier membrane could be used as a replacement for the human amniotic membrane in the treatment of limbal stem cell deficiency, lowering the risk of disease transmission to the patient.
Deshpande
Pallavi
P
Department of Engineering Materials, Kroto Research Institute, University of Sheffield, North Campus, Broad Lane, Sheffield, S3 7HQ, UK.
McKean
Rob
R
Blackwood
Keith A
KA
Senior
Richard A
RA
Ogunbanjo
Adekemi
A
Ryan
Anthony J
AJ
MacNeil
Sheila
S
D000818:Animals; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D002478:Cells, Cultured / Q000166:cytology; D003315:Cornea / Q000166:cytology*; D016616:Cryoultramicrotomy; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000637:transplantation; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal / Q000379:methods; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning / Q000379:methods; D011098:Polyglactin 910 / Q000737:chemistry*; D011817:Rabbits; D044968:Regenerative Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds
D011098:Polyglactin 910