Development and characterization of acellular porcine corneal matrix using sodium dodecylsulfate.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to produce a porcine corneal acellular matrix (ACM) and assess its possibility for biomedical applications.


METHODS
Porcine corneas were treated with various concentrations of sodium dodecylsulfate for different lengths of time. Optimal conditions for processing the ACM were noted regarding removal of all cellular components and retention of the spatial arrangement of the corneal stroma. The physical characteristics (including water absorption and light transmittance), biomechanics, and cytotoxicity of the ACM were also found to be conserved. Subsequently, ACM was transplanted into the interlaminar stroma of rabbit corneas. The transparency and structures of the collagen fibers were determined.


RESULTS
By immersing corneal tissues in isotonic buffer containing 0.1% sodium dodecylsulfate for 7 hours, we were able to produce an ACM whose cells were completely removed, without disrupting collagen layer structure. Although water absorption and light transmittance of the ACM decreased when compared with natural corneal stroma, ACM showed similar biomechanical properties and biocompatibility as natural ones. After xenotransplantation into rabbit corneal stromal layers for 4 weeks, both ACM and rabbit corneas showed complete transparency. Almost 1 year postoperatively, the corneas remained transparent with regular stromal structures and ACM appeared stable in situ without deliquescence or immunological rejection.


CONCLUSIONS
A simple and valid method to produce decellularized corneal matrix has been successfully developed. These acellular matrices similar to natural corneas in structure, strength, and transparency have tremendous potential for corneal transplantation as ideal implants for donors and for tissue engineering applications as suitable scaffolds.
Zhou
Yang
Y
State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
Wu
Zheng
Z
Ge
Jian
J
Wan
Pengxia
P
Li
Naiyang
N
Xiang
Peng
P
Gao
Qianying
Q
Wang
Zhichong
Z
D000818:Animals; D002452:Cell Count; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism*; D003315:Cornea / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D016039:Corneal Transplantation; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D011817:Rabbits; D012967:Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013552:Swine; D023822:Tissue Engineering; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous
D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D012967:Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate; D003094:Collagen