title: Corneal reinforcement using an acellular dermal matrix for an analysis of biocompatibility, mechanical properties, and transparency.
abstract: The aim of this study was to analyze the viability of using an acellular dermal matrix (ADM) as a reinforcement material for peripheral corneal thinning disease. The complete removal of cell components was confirmed by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining. Transmission electron microscopy determined that the stromal structure was well preserved. Uniaxial tests revealed that the ADM had strong mechanical properties. After being implanted into rabbit cornea the ADM showed no sign of rejection and even achieved good transparency 24weeks post-surgery. H&E staining demonstrated that keratocytes grew in the ADM and the ADM-cornea interface became blurry. Picrosirius red staining revealed great changes of collagen in the ADM. Uniaxial testing of the reinforced cornea showed better mechanical strength than the normal rabbit cornea, but this did not exhibit statistical significance. These results suggest that ADM is a worthy candidate for future exploration as a reinforcement material for peripheral corneal thinning problems.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University Third Hospital, Key Laboratory of Vision Loss and Restoration, Ministry of Education, 49 North Garden Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100191, China.
authors.forename: Ziyuan
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ji
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Chen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Zhaojun
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Meng
authors.forename: Weiqiang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Qiu
authors.forename: Xuemin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003315:Cornea / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D011817:Rabbits; D012867:Skin / Q000033:anatomy & histology*
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials