title: Development of a microfabricated artificial limbus with micropockets for cell delivery to the cornea.
abstract: The aim of this study was to develop a synthetic alternative to the human corneal limbus for use initially as an ex vivo model in which to study corneal stem cell function within a niche environment and ultimately to develop an implantable limbus for future clinical use. Microstereolithography was used for the fabrication of polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA) based rings on a macroscopic (1.2 cm) scale containing unique microfeatures (pockets) which were then modified with fibronectin to promote cell adhesion. These rings were designed to mimic the limbal area of the eye containing structures of the approximate size and shape of the stem cell microenvironments found in the palisades of Vogt. The attachment of rabbit limbal fibroblasts and rabbit limbal epithelial cells to the PEGDA rings was increased by pretreating the microfabricated structures with biotinylated fibronectin. Cell outgrowth from fibronectin coated microfabricated structures was 50% greater than from rings without structures or fibronectin coating. The cell loaded rings were then placed on an ex vivo wounded cornea model and the outgrowth of cells to form a multilayered epithelium was observed. We suggest this is a new approach to investigating limbal stem cells niches and the first steps towards a new approach for corneal regeneration.
authors.affiliation: Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering Group, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Kroto Research Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK. i.ortega@sheffield.ac.uk
authors.forename: Ílida
authors.initials: Í
authors.lastname: Ortega
authors.forename: Pallavi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Deshpande
authors.forename: Andrew A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Gill
authors.forename: Sheila
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: MacNeil
authors.forename: Frederik
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Claeyssens
mesh_terms: D000179:Acrylates / Q000737:chemistry; D000818:Animals; D019921:Biotinylation; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002465:Cell Movement; D003315:Cornea / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D016850:Limbus Corneae / Q000502:physiology*; D023421:Models, Animal; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry; D011817:Rabbits; D012038:Regeneration; D055153:Stem Cell Niche; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D023822:Tissue Engineering; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds
chemical_list: D000179:Acrylates; D005353:Fibronectins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols