Development of 3D structures for corneal fibroblasts

Introduction. Advances in biology and medicine in particular in the field of cell technologies allow us to test eye stem cells as an alternative to surgical treatment of corneal pathology. An option to increase the resistance of stem cells to adverse microenvironment factors in the pathological focus can be the creation of an analog of a 3D model of the stem cell niche. The aim of the study: to study in the experiment the ability of a combination of polyethylene glycol with extracellular matrix and platelet lysate to hold corneal fibroblasts inside. Material and Methods. The biocompatibility of corneal structures and fibroblasts isolated from corneal lenticules and the viscosity of structures in vitro were evaluated. Results. Within 3-4 weeks, it is possible to grow up to 2-3'106 cells from corneal lenticules, which morphologically had a dendritic shape, and phenotypically carried markers of mesenchymal stem cells/fibroblasts on their surface. The study examined the biocompatibility of structures made of polyethylene glycol-4000 (PEG-4000), methylcellulose (MC), platelet lysate (PL), calf blood derivatives and corneal fibroblasts. It was shown that corneal fibroblasts proliferated in the presence of most of the materials used to create structures, with the exception of solcoseryl preparations in the form of gel. Structures based on PEG-4000, MC and PL kept corneal fibroblasts inside themselves and did not interfere with cell growth. Conclusion. The results obtained indicate the possibility of isolating corneal fibroblasts from a small volume of corneal material, as well as the possibility of using structures based on PEG-4000, MC and PL as a cell carrier.

polyethylene glycol, methylcellulose, lysate of platelets, calf blood derivatives, corneal lenticule, corneal fibroblasts