title: Construction of a Corneal Stromal Equivalent with SMILE-Derived Lenticules and Fibrin Glue.
abstract: The scarcity of corneal tissue to treat deep corneal defects and corneal perforations remains a challenge. Currently, small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE)-derived lenticules appear to be a promising alternative for the treatment of these conditions. However, the thickness and toughness of a single piece of lenticule are limited. To overcome these limitations, we constructed a corneal stromal equivalent with SMILE-derived lenticules and fibrin glue. In vitro cell culture revealed that the corneal stromal equivalent could provide a suitable scaffold for the survival and proliferation of corneal epithelial cells, which formed a continuous pluristratified epithelium with the expression of characteristic markers. Finally, anterior lamellar keratoplasty in rabbits demonstrated that the corneal stromal equivalent with decellularized lenticules and fibrin glue could repair the anterior region of the stroma, leading to re-epithelialization and recovery of both transparency and ultrastructural organization. Corneal neovascularization, graft degradation, and corneal rejection were not observed within 3 months. Taken together, the corneal stromal equivalent with SMILE-derived lenticules and fibrin glue appears to be a safe and effective alternative for the repair of damage to the anterior cornea, which may provide new avenues in the treatment of deep corneal defects or corneal perforations.
authors.affiliation: Eye Center, Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Houfa
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yin
authors.affiliation: Eye Center, Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Peijin
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Qiu
authors.affiliation: Eye Center, Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Fang
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Eye Center, Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Wenqi
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Teng
authors.affiliation: Eye Center, Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Zhenwei
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Qin
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Chao
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Eye Center, Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Jiaojie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: Eye Center, Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Zhi
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.affiliation: Eye Center, Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Qiaomei
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.affiliation: Eye Center, Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Qiuli
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.affiliation: Eye Center, Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.affiliation: Eye Center, Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Yabo
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D003315:Cornea / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D016039:Corneal Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D015718:Fibrin Tissue Adhesive / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011817:Rabbits; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds
chemical_list: D015718:Fibrin Tissue Adhesive