CORNEAL EPITHELIAL CULTURES ON LLH480 HYD ROGEL PROPOSED AS SYNTHETICMATERIAL FOR EPIKERATOPLASTY

Purpose To improve the LLH480 hydrogel cytocompatibility and to assess the interactions between corneal epithelium and biomaterials. Methods Rabbit corneal epithelium organotypic cultures were carried out on hy drogel samples coated with fibronectin, laminin, type IV collagen, or heparan sulfate proteoglycan. The control group consisted of epithelia l cultures carried out on hydrogel with no coating. Cellular migration was quantified, and statistically analyzed. 8-day cultures were proce ssed for transmission electron microscopy. Results epithelial migratio n on hydrogel was significantly increased (p < 0.001) in the heparan s ulfate proteoglycan group, significantly decreased (p < 0.05 and p < 0 .001) with laminin or type IV collagen coating, and showed no signific ant modifications in the fibronectin group. Transmission electronic mi croscopy showed a monolayer epithelial cells adherant to the surface o f the hydrogel. Deposit of extracellular matrix and sketch of adhesion focal points were also noted. Conclusion LLH480 cytocompatibility can be improved by heparan sulfate proteoglycan coating.