Effects of Different Radiation Sources on the Performance of Collagen-Based Corneal Repair Materials and Macrophage Polarization

Abstract

Owing to the lack of donor corneas, there is an urgent need for suitable corneal substitutes. As the main component of the corneal stroma, collagen has great advantages as a corneal repair material. If there are microorganisms such as bacteria in the corneal repair material, it may induce postoperative infection, causing the failure of corneal transplantation. Therefore, irradiation, as a common sterilization method, is often used to control the microorganisms in the material. However, it has not been reported which type of radiation source and what doses can sterilize more effectively without affecting the properties of collagen-based corneal repair materials (CCRMs) and have a positive impact on macrophage polarization. In this study, three different radiation sources of ultraviolet, cobalt-60, and electron beam at four different doses of 2, 5, 8, and 10 kGy were used to irradiate CCRMs. The swelling, stretching, transmittance, and degradation of the irradiated CCRMs were characterized, and the proliferation of human corneal epithelial cells on the irradiated CCRMs was characterized using the CCK8 kit. The results showed that low dose (<5 kGy) of radiation had little effect on the performance of CCRMs. Three irradiation methods with less influence were selected for the further study on RAW264.7 macrophage polarization. The results indicated that CCRMs treated with UV could downregulate the expression of pro-inflammatory related genes and upregulate the expression of anti-inflammatory genes in macrophages, which indicated that UV irradiation is a beneficial process for the preparation of CCRMs.

Structure and properties of the acellular porcine cornea irradiated with electron beam and its in‐situ implantation

“…The breakage of the chemical bond of collagen in the cornea leads to a decrease in the tensile strength and strain‐at‐break and affects its applications as the decellularized extracellular matrix 19 . It had also been reported that different doses of electron beam irradiation could change the physical and chemical properties of biomaterials, such as swelling, tensile strength, and transmittance 20–22 . Thus, it is important to research the influences of the E‐beam radiation dose on the structure and biological properties of the APC.…”

“…19 It had also been reported that different doses of electron beam irradiation could change the physical and chemical properties of biomaterials, such as swelling, tensile strength, and transmittance. [20][21][22] Thus, it is important to research the influences of the E-beam radiation dose on the structure and biological properties of the APC.…”

Preparation and Characterization of a Photo-Crosslinked Methacryloyl-Collagen Composite Film to Promote Corneal Nerve Regeneration via Surface Grafting of Taurine Molecules

“…have been developed and utilized to treat corneal blindness. Among those natural polymers, collagen has been extensively studied as the preferred material for corneal repair, because it possesses suitable physicochemical properties and biological characteristics similar to the native cornea [9]. At present, several collagen-based material has been reported to have achieve some specific functions, such as good biocompatibility [10], antibacterial effect (when adequate antimicrobial is incorporated) [11] and moisturizing performance [12].…”