The Development of Plasma Modified Electrospun Poly(L-Lactide-Co-D, L-Lactide) Matrices for the Treatment of Corneal Scarring

KJ Harwood, BJ Meenan, GA Burke

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Corneal disease and scarring is a serious clinical problem affecting more than 10 million people worldwide. Corneal transplantation or keratoplasty is the main method of repairing visual loss as a result of corneal scarring but is limited by the lack of available donor cornea. This combined with the postoperative risks of persistent epithelial defects, corneal ulceration, unhealed wounds and additional scarring creates a clinical need for more effective treatment protocols that can promotehealthy regeneration of the cornea and ultimately restore sight. This study examines the potential of tissue-engineered biomaterials to treat corneal blindness. Electrospun (ES) matrices using a copolymer of poly(L-lactide-co-D, L-lactide) [PLDLLA] were manufactured and processed using a cold plasma dielectric barrier (DBD) treatment protocol to enhance the physical and chemical surface properties of the ES matrices. Characterisation of the matrices using X-ray photon spectroscopy analysis demonstrated a rise in surface oxygen content on DBD treated samples, ndicating a potential increase in surface wettability. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy both confirmed that no significant changes were made to the bulk composition or morphology of the ES matrices after plasma treatment. A 28-day biological study showed a higher rate of proliferation and monolayer formation of the HCE-T cell line, on plasma treated ES matrices versus that of the control. This study concluded that plasma treated ES PLDLLA matrices have the potential to enhance corneal epithelial monolayer developmentfor potential use as a tissue engineered product.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)S210-S210
JournalTissue Engineering Part A
Volume21
Issue numberS1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished (in print/issue) - Aug 2015

Keywords

  • Electrospinning
  • corneal tissue engineering
  • dielectric barrier discharge

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