The experimental study of bio-engineered free-cell ostrich cornea as xenograft

Subject Areas : Journal of Comparative Pathobiology

M. Fatourehchi, ¹ , H.R. Fattahian, ² , A.M. Kajbafzadeh, ³

1 - دانش آموخته دکتری حرفه ای، دانشکده علوم تخصصی دامپزشکی، واحد علوم و تحقیقات، دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی، تهران،
2 - گروه آموزشی علوم درمانگاهی، دانشکده علوم تخصصی دامپزشکی، واحد علوم و تحقیقات، دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی، تهران، ایران.
3 - مرکز تحقیقات ارولوژی اطفال، قسمت مهندسی بافت و طب بازساختی، قطب علمی کودکان ایران (مرکز طبی کودکان)، دانشگاه علوم پزشکی تهران، تهران، ایران

Received: 2015-02-08 Accepted : 2015-05-14 Published : 2015-07-23

Keywords: Free-cell cornea, Extra cellular matrix, Xenograft, Ostrich,

Abstract :

Healthy cornea is a major element in optical pathway. Corneal blindness can occur due tovarious causes and different severities, and almost the best effective treatment is cornealallotransplantation. The limitation of allograft propounds the usage of other alternatives such asxenograft besides synthetic biomaterials and keratoprostheses. The aim of the study is toproduce Extra Cellular Matrix (ECM) with decellularization method in ostrichs cornea. TheOstrichs heads were obtained from a local slaughter house. All corneas were excised. ThenECM was prepared by the combination of chemomechanical and ionic detergent methods.Cellular components elimination and stromal structure were assessed by three types ofhistological staining and ultra-structural studies. Corneal transparency and thickness evaluatedin macroscopic observation.Histological staining of the decellularized cornea confirmed the complete removal of cornealcells as well as preserving the integrity of basement membrane. The ultra-structural studiesrevealed that decellularization process preserved the native structure of the stromal corneaalthough the collagen bundle space increased slightly. However, after immersing the acellularcornea in 100% glycerol, their optical properties regained to those native corneas.The authors believe that tissue processing method of ostrich cornea which applied in presentstudy can be used as an alternative tissue after completing other examinations such as cellculture, immunological and biomechanical properties.