title: Fabrication of a corneal-limbal tissue substitute using silk fibroin.
abstract: Fibroin extracted from silkworm cocoon silk provides an intriguing and potentially important biomaterial for corneal reconstruction. In this chapter we outline our methods for producing a composite of two fibroin-based materials that support the cocultivation of human limbal epithelial (HLE) cells and human limbal stromal (HLS) cells. The resulting tissue substitute consists of a stratified epithelium overlying a three-dimensional arrangement of extracellular matrix components (principally "degummed" fibroin fibers) and mesenchymal stromal cells. This tissue substitute is currently being evaluated as a tool for reconstructing the corneal limbus and corneal epithelium.
authors.affiliation: School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia.
authors.forename: Laura J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Bray
authors.forename: Karina A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: George
authors.forename: Shuko
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Traian V
authors.initials: TV
authors.lastname: Chirila
authors.forename: Damien G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Harkin
mesh_terms: D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology; D005349:Fibroins / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D016850:Limbus Corneae / Q000166:cytology; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D009940:Organoids / Q000166:cytology; D061251:Primary Cell Culture; D023822:Tissue Engineering
chemical_list: D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D005349:Fibroins