Advances in Ophthalmic Biomaterials

A special issue of Journal of Functional Biomaterials (ISSN 2079-4983).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2013) | Viewed by 64786

Special Issue Editors

Department of Chemical Engineering, McMaster University, Room JHE-124A, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L7, Canada
Interests: hydrogels; polymers; contact lens; drug delivery
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Queensland Eye Institute, 140 Melbourne Street, South Brisbane, QLD 4101, Australia
Interests: tissue engineering; ocular surface reconstruction; calcification of hydrogels; interpenetrating polymers networks; self-healing hydrogels; artificial corneal endothelium; aneurysmal rupture; adventitial collagen; photochemical crosslinking; mechanical reinforcement; proteolytic resistance; designing therapeutic strategies
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

After half of a century, the field of ophthalmic biomaterials has become firmly established as an integral and essential part of the ocular tissue engineering and regenerative ophthalmology. Biomaterials, either modified biopolymers or synthetic polymers, are used as replacements for various damaged ocular elements. Such replacements include artificial intraocular lenses, artificial corneas and corneal elements, vitreous substitutes, tube systems and canaliculi for glaucoma and lacrimal surgery, carriers for sustained release of ocular drugs, surgical adhesives, viscoelastics for ocular surgery etc. Going beyond prosthetic replacements and devices, novel types of ophthalmic biomaterials are currently being developed by manipulating both bulk structure and surface of materials to provide more complex systems able to play a role in the stimulation of target cells with an aim to heal and regenerate damaged ocular tissue. Such biomaterials serve for the creation of tissue-engineered constructs that are used in new regenerative strategies that are advanced for the treatment of eye disease and trauma.

Prof. Dr. Heather Sheardown
Dr. Traian V. Chirila
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Functional Biomaterials is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • keratoprosthesis
  • IOLs
  • vitreous substitution
  • ocular adhesives
  • ocular surface reconstruction
  • corneal tissue engineering
  • retinal repair and regeneration
  • substrata for ocular stem cells

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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574 KiB  
Article
Epoxy Cross-Linked Collagen and Collagen-Laminin Peptide Hydrogels as Corneal Substitutes
by Li Buay Koh, Mohammad Mirazul Islam, Debbie Mitra, Christopher W. Noel, Kimberley Merrett, Silvia Odorcic, Per Fagerholm, William. Bruce Jackson, Bo Liedberg, Jaywant Phopase and May Griffith
J. Funct. Biomater. 2013, 4(3), 162-177; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb4030162 - 28 Aug 2013
Cited by 44 | Viewed by 12822 | Correction
Abstract
A bi-functional epoxy-based cross-linker, 1,4-Butanediol diglycidyl ether (BDDGE), was investigated in the fabrication of collagen based corneal substitutes. Two synthetic strategies were explored in the preparation of the cross-linked collagen scaffolds. The lysine residues of Type 1 porcine collagen were directly cross-linked using [...] Read more.
A bi-functional epoxy-based cross-linker, 1,4-Butanediol diglycidyl ether (BDDGE), was investigated in the fabrication of collagen based corneal substitutes. Two synthetic strategies were explored in the preparation of the cross-linked collagen scaffolds. The lysine residues of Type 1 porcine collagen were directly cross-linked using l,4-Butanediol diglycidyl ether (BDDGE) under basic conditions at pH 11. Alternatively, under conventional methodology, using both BDDGE and 1-Ethyl-3-(3-dimethyl aminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC)/N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) as cross-linkers, hydrogels were fabricated under acidic conditions. In this latter strategy, Cu(BF4)2·XH2O was used to catalyze the formation of secondary amine bonds. To date, we have demonstrated that both methods of chemical cross-linking improved the elasticity and tensile strength of the collagen implants. Differential scanning calorimetry and biocompatibility studies indicate comparable, and in some cases, enhanced properties compared to that of the EDC/NHS controls. In vitro studies showed that human corneal epithelial cells and neuronal progenitor cell lines proliferated on these hydrogels. In addition, improvement of cell proliferation on the surfaces of the materials was observed when neurite promoting laminin epitope, IKVAV, and adhesion peptide, YIGSR, were incorporated. However, the elasticity decreased with peptide incorporation and will require further optimization. Nevertheless, we have shown that epoxy cross-linkers should be further explored in the fabrication of collagen-based hydrogels, as alternatives to or in conjunction with carbodiimide cross-linkers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Ophthalmic Biomaterials)
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376 KiB  
Article
Incorporation of Exogenous RGD Peptide and Inter-Species Blending as Strategies for Enhancing Human Corneal Limbal Epithelial Cell Growth on Bombyx mori Silk Fibroin Membranes
by Laura J. Bray, Shuko Suzuki, Damien G. Harkin and Traian V. Chirila
J. Funct. Biomater. 2013, 4(2), 74-88; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb4020074 - 17 May 2013
Cited by 29 | Viewed by 6876
Abstract
While fibroin isolated from the cocoons of domesticated silkworm Bombyx mori supports growth of human corneal limbal epithelial (HLE) cells, the mechanism of cell attachment remains unclear. In the present study we sought to enhance the attachment of HLE cells to membranes of [...] Read more.
While fibroin isolated from the cocoons of domesticated silkworm Bombyx mori supports growth of human corneal limbal epithelial (HLE) cells, the mechanism of cell attachment remains unclear. In the present study we sought to enhance the attachment of HLE cells to membranes of Bombyx mori silk fibroin (BMSF) through surface functionalization with an arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD)-containing peptide. Moreover, we have examined the response of HLE cells to BMSF when blended with the fibroin produced by a wild silkworm, Antheraea pernyi, which is known to contain RGD sequences within its primary structure. A procedure to isolate A. pernyi silk fibroin (APSF) from the cocoons was established, and blends of the two fibroins were prepared at five different BMSF/APSF ratios. In another experiment, BMSF surface was modified by binding chemically the GRGDSPC peptide using a water-soluble carbodiimide. Primary HLE were grown in the absence of serum on membranes made of BMSF, APSF, and their blends, as well as on RGD-modified BMSF. There was no statistically significant enhancing effect on the cell attachment due to the RGD presence. This suggests that the adhesion through RGD ligands may have a complex mechanism, and the investigated strategies are of limited value unless the factors contributing to this mechanism become better known. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Ophthalmic Biomaterials)
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2714 KiB  
Article
Cultivation of Human Microvascular Endothelial Cells on Topographical Substrates to Mimic the Human Corneal Endothelium
by Jie Shi Chua, Li Xiang Liew and Evelyn K.F. Yim
J. Funct. Biomater. 2013, 4(1), 38-58; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb4010038 - 21 Mar 2013
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 7394
Abstract
Human corneal endothelial cells have a limited ability to replicate in vivo and in vitro. Allograft transplantation becomes necessary when an accident or trauma results in excessive cell loss. The reconstruction of the cornea endothelium using autologous cell sources is a promising [...] Read more.
Human corneal endothelial cells have a limited ability to replicate in vivo and in vitro. Allograft transplantation becomes necessary when an accident or trauma results in excessive cell loss. The reconstruction of the cornea endothelium using autologous cell sources is a promising alternative option for therapeutic or in vitro drug testing applications. The native corneal endothelium rests on the Descemet’s membrane, which has nanotopographies of fibers and pores. The use of synthetic topographies mimics the native environment, and it is hypothesized that this can direct the behavior and growth of human microvascular endothelial cells (HMVECs) to resemble the corneal endothelium. In this study, HMVECs are cultivated on substrates with micron and nano-scaled pillar and well topographies. Closely packed HMVEC monolayers with polygonal cells and well-developed tight junctions were formed on the topographical substrates. Sodium/potassium (Na+/K+) adenine triphosphatase (ATPase) expression was enhanced on the microwells substrate, which also promotes microvilli formation, while more hexagonal-like cells are found on the micropillars samples. The data obtained suggests that the use of optimized surface patterning, in particular, the microtopographies, can induce HMVECs to adopt a more corneal endothelium-like morphology with similar barrier and pump functions. The mechanism involved in cell contact guidance by the specific topographical features will be of interest for future studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Ophthalmic Biomaterials)
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2392 KiB  
Article
Design and in Vitro Biocompatibility of a Novel Ocular Drug Delivery Device
by Nathan Gooch, Randon Michael Burr, Dolly J. Holt, Bruce Gale and Balamurali Ambati
J. Funct. Biomater. 2013, 4(1), 14-26; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb4010014 - 18 Jan 2013
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 7159
Abstract
The capsule drug ring (CDR) is a reservoir and delivery agent, which is designed to be placed within the capsular bag during cataract surgery. Prototypes were manufactured by hot melt extrusion of Bionate II®, a polycarbonate urethane. The devices have been [...] Read more.
The capsule drug ring (CDR) is a reservoir and delivery agent, which is designed to be placed within the capsular bag during cataract surgery. Prototypes were manufactured by hot melt extrusion of Bionate II®, a polycarbonate urethane. The devices have been optimized using Avastin® as the drug of interest. In vitro biocompatibility was assessed with human lens epithelial cell (B-3), mouse macrophage (J774A.1) and mouse fibroblast (L-929) cell lines. Cell migration and proliferation were assessed after in vitro culture. Pro-inflammatory cytokines (i.e., MIP-1β, MIP-1α, MCP-1, IL-1β, TNF and TGF-β1) were quantified using cytometric bead array (CBA). Preliminary in vivo biocompatibility and pharmacokinetics testing has been performed in rabbits. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Ophthalmic Biomaterials)
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Review

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1514 KiB  
Review
Tissue Engineering of the Corneal Endothelium: A Review of Carrier Materials
by Juliane Teichmann, Monika Valtink, Mirko Nitschke, Stefan Gramm, Richard H.W. Funk, Katrin Engelmann and Carsten Werner
J. Funct. Biomater. 2013, 4(4), 178-208; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb4040178 - 22 Oct 2013
Cited by 27 | Viewed by 11158
Abstract
Functional impairment of the human corneal endothelium can lead to corneal blindness. In order to meet the high demand for transplants with an appropriate human corneal endothelial cell density as a prerequisite for corneal function, several tissue engineering techniques have been developed to [...] Read more.
Functional impairment of the human corneal endothelium can lead to corneal blindness. In order to meet the high demand for transplants with an appropriate human corneal endothelial cell density as a prerequisite for corneal function, several tissue engineering techniques have been developed to generate transplantable endothelial cell sheets. These approaches range from the use of natural membranes, biological polymers and biosynthetic material compositions, to completely synthetic materials as matrices for corneal endothelial cell sheet generation. This review gives an overview about currently used materials for the generation of transplantable corneal endothelial cell sheets with a special focus on thermo-responsive polymer coatings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Ophthalmic Biomaterials)
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1261 KiB  
Review
Keeping an Eye on Decellularized Corneas: A Review of Methods, Characterization and Applications
by Samantha L. Wilson, Laura E. Sidney, Siobhán E. Dunphy, James B. Rose and Andrew Hopkinson
J. Funct. Biomater. 2013, 4(3), 114-161; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb4030114 - 10 Jul 2013
Cited by 52 | Viewed by 18563
Abstract
The worldwide limited availability of suitable corneal donor tissue has led to the development of alternatives, including keratoprostheses (Kpros) and tissue engineered (TE) constructs. Despite advances in bioscaffold design, there is yet to be a corneal equivalent that effectively mimics both the native [...] Read more.
The worldwide limited availability of suitable corneal donor tissue has led to the development of alternatives, including keratoprostheses (Kpros) and tissue engineered (TE) constructs. Despite advances in bioscaffold design, there is yet to be a corneal equivalent that effectively mimics both the native tissue ultrastructure and biomechanical properties. Human decellularized corneas (DCs) could offer a safe, sustainable source of corneal tissue, increasing the donor pool and potentially reducing the risk of immune rejection after corneal graft surgery. Appropriate, human-specific, decellularization techniques and high-resolution, non-destructive analysis systems are required to ensure reproducible outputs can be achieved. If robust treatment and characterization processes can be developed, DCs could offer a supplement to the donor corneal pool, alongside superior cell culture systems for pharmacology, toxicology and drug discovery studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Ophthalmic Biomaterials)
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