RGD and (−)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate modification enhanced biostability, bioactive and biofunctionality of acellular porcine cornea stroma crosslinked with oxidized dextran

Abstract

The cornea is the main refractive element of the eye. Corneal transplantation is the foremost choice for addressing severe corneal diseases or trauma; however, corneal donors are difficult to meet the large clinical demand. Despite the clinical adoption of acellular porcine corneas stroma (APCS), their utility is limited by complications, such as post-implantation swelling, suture loosening, and rapid degradation. In this study, the APCS was crosslinked with oxidized dextran (ODEX) to enhance their biostability and preserve their original optical properties. Furthermore, to meet clinical indications in different pathological environments, it was double-modified with Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) and (−)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) to prepare an artificial bio-cornea (OD-RE-APCS) with good bioactivity and biofunctionality. The results suggest that OD-RE-APCS effectively improves the mechanical, swelling, and degradation properties of APCS, enhances the adhesion, proliferation, and migration of corneal epithelial cells, and has anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-angiogenic functions, which makes it a promising artificial bio-cornea.

Keywords

• Acellular corneas
• Oxidized dextran
• RGD
• EGCG
• Artificial corneas