title: [New nanofibrous scaffold for corneal tissue engineering].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  An estimated 10 million people suffer worldwide from vision loss caused by corneal damage. For the worst cases, the only available treatment is transplantation with human donor corneal tissue. However, in numerous countries there is a considerable shortage of corneal tissue of good quality, leading to various efforts to develop tissue substitutes. The present study aims to introduce a nanofibrous scaffold of poly(glycerol sebacate) PGS as a biodegradable implant, for the corneal tissue engineering.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nanofibrous scaffolds were produced from PGS and poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) by a modified electro-spinning process. The biocompatibility of the material was tested in vitro by colorimetric MTT assay on days 3, 5, and 7 to test the cell viability of human corneal endothelium cells (HCEC). To examine a potential immunological reaction of the scaffolds, samples were exposed to mononuclear cells derived from peripheral blood (PBMCs). After an incubation period of 3 days, supernatants were assayed for apoptotic assessment and immunogenic potentials by annexin V FITC//propidium iodide and flow-cytometric analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We could successfully demonstrate that cultivation of HCECs on PGS/PCL scaffolds was possible. Compared to day 3, cell density determined by microplate absorbance was significantly higher after 7 days of cultivation (p < 0.0001). According to the MTT data, none of the samples showed toxicity. Apoptotic assessments by FACS analysis showed that no composition stimulated apoptosis or activated PBMCs occurred. All the compositions were inert for native as well as activated T/B/NK cells and monocytes. It can be concluded that leukocytes and their activity was not affected by the scaffolds.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A tissue-like scaffold mimicking the human stroma could be developed. The results indicate that PGS/PCL scaffolds could be considered as ideal candidates for corneal tissue engineering as they are biocompatible in contact to corneal endothelial cells and blood cells.
authors.affiliation: Deutsches Textilforschungszentrum Nord-West gGmbH, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Krefeld.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Salehi
authors.affiliation: Augenklinik, Universitätsklinikum Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-Universität, Düsseldorf.
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Grünert
authors.affiliation: Deutsches Textilforschungszentrum Nord-West gGmbH, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Krefeld.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bahners
authors.affiliation: Deutsches Textilforschungszentrum Nord-West gGmbH, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Krefeld.
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Gutmann
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Erkrankungen des vorderen Augenabschnitts, Universitäts-Augenklinik, Essen.
authors.forename: K P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Steuhl
authors.affiliation: Augenklinik, Universitätsklinikum Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-Universität, Düsseldorf.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Czugala
authors.affiliation: Institut für Anatomie, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Essen.
authors.forename: B B
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Singer
authors.affiliation: Augenklinik, Universitätsklinikum Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-Universität, Düsseldorf.
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Fuchsluger
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology; D055954:Corneal Endothelial Cell Loss / Q000628:therapy*; D003651:Decanoates; D004728:Endothelium, Corneal / Q000166:cytology*; D005990:Glycerol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000502:physiology; D008422:Materials Testing; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D057139:Nanofibers; D011108:Polymers; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds
chemical_list: D003651:Decanoates; D011108:Polymers; C469892:poly(glycerol-sebacate); D005990:Glycerol