Poly-ε-lysine based hydrogels as synthetic substrates for the expansion of corneal endothelial cells for transplantation.

ABSTRACT: Dysfunction of the corneal endothelium (CE) resulting from progressive cell loss leads to corneal oedema and significant visual impairment. Current treatments rely upon donor allogeneic tissue to replace the damaged CE. A donor cornea shortage necessitates the development of biomaterials, enabling in vitro expansion of corneal endothelial cells (CECs). This study investigated the use of a synthetic peptide hydrogel using poly-ε-lysine (pεK), cross-linked with octanedioic-acid as a potential substrate for CECs expansion and CE grafts. PεK hydrogel properties were optimised to produce a substrate which was thin, transparent, porous and robust. A human corneal endothelial cell line (HCEC-12) attached and grew on pεK hydrogels as confluent monolayers after 7 days, whereas primary porcine CECs

SUBMITTER: Kennedy S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6726667 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature