title: Surface Topography and Mechanical Strain Promote Keratocyte Phenotype and Extracellular Matrix Formation in a Biomimetic 3D Corneal Model.
abstract: The optimal functionality of the native corneal stroma is mainly dependent on the well-ordered arrangement of extracellular matrix (ECM) and the pressurized structure. In order to develop an in vitro corneal model, it is crucial to mimic the in vivo microenvironment of the cornea. In this study, the influence of surface topography and mechanical strain on keratocyte phenotype and ECM formation within a biomimetic 3D corneal model is studied. By modifying the surface topography of materials, it is found that patterned silk fibroin film with 600 grooves mm-1optimally supports cell alignment and ECM arrangement. Furthermore, treatment with 3% dome-shaped mechanical strain, which resembles the shape and mechanics of native cornea, significantly enhances the expression of keratocyte markers as compared to flat-shaped strain. Accordingly, a biomimetic 3D corneal model, in the form of a collagen-modified, silk fibroin-patterned construct subjected to 3% dome-shaped strain, is created. Compared to traditional 2D cultures, it supports a significantly higher expression of keratocyte and ECM markers, and in conclusion better maintains keratocyte phenotype, alignment, and fusiform cell shape. Therefore, the novel biomimetic 3D corneal model developed in this study serves as a useful in vitro 3D culture model to improve current 2D cultures for corneal studies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Anatomy, Umeå University, Umeå, 90187, Sweden.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Anatomy, Umeå University, Umeå, 90187, Sweden.
authors.forename: Jialin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Anatomy, Umeå University, Umeå, 90187, Sweden.
authors.forename: Ludvig J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Backman
authors.affiliation: Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Anatomy, Umeå University, Umeå, 90187, Sweden.
authors.forename: Adam D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Malm
authors.affiliation: Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Anatomy, Umeå University, Umeå, 90187, Sweden.|Department of Clinical Sciences, Ophthalmology, Umeå University, Umeå, 90187, Sweden.
authors.forename: Patrik
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Danielson
mesh_terms: D040761:Biomimetic Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D003315:Cornea; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000737:chemistry*; D005349:Fibroins / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D005349:Fibroins
keywords: 3D corneal model; keratocyte; mechanical strain; silk fibroin; surface topography