An in situ formed biodegradable hydrogel for reconstruction of the corneal endothelium.
Biodegradable hydrogels are important biomaterials for tissue engineering and drug delivery. For the purpose of corneal regenerative medicine, we describe an in situ formed hydrogel based on a water-soluble derivative of chitosan, hydroxypropyl chitosan (HPCTS), and sodium alginate dialdehyde (SAD). Periodate oxidized alginate rapidly cross-links HPCTS due to Schiff's base formation between the available aldehyde and amino groups. Hydrogel cytotoxicity, degradability and histocompatibility in vivo were examined. The potential of the composite hydrogel for corneal endothelium reconstruction was demonstrated by encapsulating corneal endothelial cells (CECs) to grow on Descemet's membranes. The results demonstrate that the composite hydrogel was both non-toxic and biodegradable and that CECs transplanted by the composite hydrogel could survive and retain normal morphology. These results provide an opportunity for corneal endothelium reconstruction based on tissue engineering by the in situ formed composite hydrogel.
Liang
Ye
Y
College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China.
Liu
Wanshun
W
Han
Baoqin
B
Yang
Chaozhong
C
Ma
Qun
Q
Song
Fulai
F
Bi
Qingqing
Q
D000464:Alginates / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental / Q000187:drug effects; D016923:Cell Death / Q000187:drug effects; D048271:Chitosan / Q000494:pharmacology; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents / Q000494:pharmacology; D004728:Endothelium, Corneal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000648:ultrastructure; D020723:Glucuronic Acid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D006603:Hexuronic Acids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D008422:Materials Testing; D051379:Mice; D009132:Muscles / Q000473:pathology; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction / Q000187:drug effects; D011817:Rabbits; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*
D000464:Alginates; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D006603:Hexuronic Acids; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate; D020723:Glucuronic Acid; D048271:Chitosan