Biofabrication of chitosan/chitosan nanoparticles/polycaprolactone transparent membrane for corneal endothelial tissue engineering

Abstract

We aimed to construct a biodegradable transparent scaffold for culturing corneal endothelial cells by incorporating chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs) into chitosan/polycaprolactone (PCL) membranes. Various ratios of CSNP/PCL were prepared in the presence of constant concentration of chitosan and the films were constructed by solvent casting method. Scaffold properties including transparency, surface wettability, FTIR, and biocompatibility were examined. SEM imaging, H&E staining, and cell count were performed to investigate the HCECs adhesion. The phenotypic maintenance of the cells during culture was investigated by flow cytometry. Transparency and surface wettability improved by increasing the CSNP/PCL ratio. The CSNP/PCL 50/25, which has the lowest WCA, showed comparable transparency with human acellular corneal stroma. The scaffold was not cytotoxic and promoted the HCECs proliferation as evaluated by MTT assay. Cell counting, flow cytometry, SEM, and H&E results showed appropriate attachment of HCECs to the scaffold which formed a compact monolayer. The developed scaffold seems to be suitable for use in corneal endothelial regeneration in terms of transparency and biocompatibility.

Biopolymeric Nanoparticles–Multifunctional Materials of the Future

“…Nanocellulose has also been reported to improve the functional properties of chitosan-based nanocomposites, since chitosan has poor mechanical properties that limit its applications in bone tissue engineering [ 119 ]. Nanoparticles are usually used in tissue engineering, and they are able to mimic the natural extracellular matrix, thus increasing the possibility of controlling scaffold features, such as biomechanical and biological properties [ 120 , 121 ].…”

Broad-Spectrum Theranostics and Biomedical Application of Functionalized Nanomaterials

“…After culturing, the transparency was similar to that of the stroma of human cornea and the cytotoxicity of the scaffold was reported as negative and increased the proliferation of endothelial cells. Thus, the developed scaffold can be effectively used for corneal endothelial regeneration [ 202 ]. Carboxylated branched poly(β-amino ester) nanoparticles stronglyaid in the delivery of cytosolic protein as well as gene editing using CRISPR-Cas9.…”

Recent achievements in nano-based technologies for ocular disease diagnosis and treatment, review and update

“…In vitro assays such as H&E results, flow cytometry, cell counting, and SEM exhibited suitable attachment of HCECs to the scaffold which produced a compacted monolayer. The created scaffold appears to be appropriate for usage in the regeneration of corneal endothelial regarding biocompatibility and transparency [ 188 ].…”