A dual-layer silk fibroin scaffold for reconstructing the human corneal limbus

Bray, Laura J., George, Karina A., Hutmacher, Dietmar W., Chirila, Traian V. and Harkin, Damien G. (2012) A dual-layer silk fibroin scaffold for reconstructing the human corneal limbus. Biomaterials, 33 13: 3529-3538.


Author Bray, Laura J.
George, Karina A.
Hutmacher, Dietmar W.
Chirila, Traian V.
Harkin, Damien G.
Title A dual-layer silk fibroin scaffold for reconstructing the human corneal limbus
Journal name Biomaterials  (ERA 2012 Listed)    (ERA 2010 Rank A*)   Check publisher's open access policy
Publication date 2012-05
Sub-type Article
DOI 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2012.01.045
Volume number 33
Issue number 13
ISSN 0142-9612;1878-5905
Start page 3529
End page 3538
Total pages 10
Place of publication Amsterdam, Netherlands
Publisher Elsevier
Collection year 2013
Language eng
Formatted abstract Membranes prepared from Bombyx mori silk fibroin have shown potential as a substrate for human limbal epithelial (L-EC) and stromal cell cultivation. Here we present fibroin as a dual-layer construct containing both an epithelium and underlying stroma for corneolimbal reconstruction. We have compared the growth and phenotype of L-EC on non-porous versus porous fibroin membranes. Furthermore, we have compared the growth of limbal mesenchymal stromal cells (L-MSC) in either serum-supplemented medium or the MesenCult-XF ® culture system within fibroin fibrous mats. The co-culture of L-EC and L-MSC in fibroin dual-layer constructs was also examined. L-EC on porous membranes displayed a squamous monolayer; in contrast, L-EC on non-porous fibroin appeared cuboidal and stratified. Both constructs maintained evidence of corneal phenotype (cytokeratin 3/12) and distribution of ΔNp63 + progenitor cells. L-MSC cultivated within fibroin fibrous mats in serum-supplemented medium contained less than 64% of cells expressing the characteristic MSC phenotype of CD73 +CD90 +CD105 + after two weeks, compared with over 81% in MesenCult-XF ® medium. Dual-layer fibroin scaffolds consisting of L-EC and L-MSC maintained a similar phenotype as on the separate layers. These results support the feasibility of a 3D engineered limbus constructed from B. mori silk fibroin, and warrant further studies into the potential benefits it offers to corneolimbal tissue regeneration.
Keyword Silk fibroin
Cornea
Limbus
Epithelium
Q-Index Code C1
Q-Index Status Confirmed Code
Institutional Status UQ
Additional Notes Available online 13 February 2012.

 
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