Electrospun Nanofiber Membrane for Cultured Corneal Endothelial Cell Transplantation
The corneal endothelium, comprising densely packed corneal endothelial cells (CECs) adhering to Descemet’s membrane (DM), plays a critical role in maintaining corneal transparency by regulating water and ion movement. CECs have limited regenerative capacity within the body, and globally, there is a...
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MDPI AG
2024-01-01
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| Series: | Bioengineering |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5354/11/1/54 |
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| author | Euisun Song Karen M. Chen Mathew S. Margolis Thitima Wungcharoen Won-Gun Koh David Myung |
| author_facet | Euisun Song Karen M. Chen Mathew S. Margolis Thitima Wungcharoen Won-Gun Koh David Myung |
| author_sort | Euisun Song |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The corneal endothelium, comprising densely packed corneal endothelial cells (CECs) adhering to Descemet’s membrane (DM), plays a critical role in maintaining corneal transparency by regulating water and ion movement. CECs have limited regenerative capacity within the body, and globally, there is a shortage of donor corneas to replace damaged corneal endothelia. The development of a carrier for cultured CECs may address this worldwide clinical need. In this study we successfully manufactured a gelatin nanofiber membrane (gelNF membrane) using electrospinning, followed by crosslinking with glutaraldehyde (GA). The fabricated gelNF membrane exhibited approximately 80% transparency compared with glass and maintained a thickness of 20 µm. The gelNF membrane demonstrated desirable permeability and degradability for a Descemet’s membrane analog. Importantly, CECs cultured on the gelNF membrane at high densities showed no cytotoxic effects, and the expression of key CEC functional biomarkers was verified. To assess the potential of this gelNF membrane as a carrier for cultured CEC transplantation, we used it to conduct Descemet’s membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) on rabbit eyes. The outcomes suggest this gelNF membrane holds promise as a suitable carrier for cultured CEC transplantation, offering advantages in terms of transparency, permeability, and sufficient mechanical properties required for successful transplantation. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T11:05:11Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4c37638a77f349428aafe97ccd22490b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2306-5354 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T11:05:11Z |
| publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Bioengineering |
| spelling | doaj.art-4c37638a77f349428aafe97ccd22490b2024-01-26T15:06:17ZengMDPI AGBioengineering2306-53542024-01-011115410.3390/bioengineering11010054Electrospun Nanofiber Membrane for Cultured Corneal Endothelial Cell TransplantationEuisun Song0Karen M. Chen1Mathew S. Margolis2Thitima Wungcharoen3Won-Gun Koh4David Myung5Department of Ophthalmology, Spencer Center for Vision Research, Byers Eye Institute at Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USADepartment of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-Ro, Seodaemun-Gu, Seoul 120-749, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Ophthalmology, Spencer Center for Vision Research, Byers Eye Institute at Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USADepartment of Ophthalmology, Spencer Center for Vision Research, Byers Eye Institute at Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USADepartment of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-Ro, Seodaemun-Gu, Seoul 120-749, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Ophthalmology, Spencer Center for Vision Research, Byers Eye Institute at Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USAThe corneal endothelium, comprising densely packed corneal endothelial cells (CECs) adhering to Descemet’s membrane (DM), plays a critical role in maintaining corneal transparency by regulating water and ion movement. CECs have limited regenerative capacity within the body, and globally, there is a shortage of donor corneas to replace damaged corneal endothelia. The development of a carrier for cultured CECs may address this worldwide clinical need. In this study we successfully manufactured a gelatin nanofiber membrane (gelNF membrane) using electrospinning, followed by crosslinking with glutaraldehyde (GA). The fabricated gelNF membrane exhibited approximately 80% transparency compared with glass and maintained a thickness of 20 µm. The gelNF membrane demonstrated desirable permeability and degradability for a Descemet’s membrane analog. Importantly, CECs cultured on the gelNF membrane at high densities showed no cytotoxic effects, and the expression of key CEC functional biomarkers was verified. To assess the potential of this gelNF membrane as a carrier for cultured CEC transplantation, we used it to conduct Descemet’s membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) on rabbit eyes. The outcomes suggest this gelNF membrane holds promise as a suitable carrier for cultured CEC transplantation, offering advantages in terms of transparency, permeability, and sufficient mechanical properties required for successful transplantation.https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5354/11/1/54electrospinninggelatinnanofibercorneal endothelial cellcornea transplantation |
| spellingShingle | Euisun Song Karen M. Chen Mathew S. Margolis Thitima Wungcharoen Won-Gun Koh David Myung Electrospun Nanofiber Membrane for Cultured Corneal Endothelial Cell Transplantation Bioengineering electrospinning gelatin nanofiber corneal endothelial cell cornea transplantation |
| title | Electrospun Nanofiber Membrane for Cultured Corneal Endothelial Cell Transplantation |
| title_full | Electrospun Nanofiber Membrane for Cultured Corneal Endothelial Cell Transplantation |
| title_fullStr | Electrospun Nanofiber Membrane for Cultured Corneal Endothelial Cell Transplantation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Electrospun Nanofiber Membrane for Cultured Corneal Endothelial Cell Transplantation |
| title_short | Electrospun Nanofiber Membrane for Cultured Corneal Endothelial Cell Transplantation |
| title_sort | electrospun nanofiber membrane for cultured corneal endothelial cell transplantation |
| topic | electrospinning gelatin nanofiber corneal endothelial cell cornea transplantation |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5354/11/1/54 |
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