Regeneration of functional nerves within full thickness collagen–phosphorylcholine corneal substitute implants in guinea pigs

A novel hydrogel-collagen composite improves functionality of an injectable extracellular matrix

“…Tissue engineering strategies often employ collagen and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) matrices as scaffolds to mimic the tissue architecture. Simple crosslinking methods using either glutaraldehyde or 1-ethyl-3-3-dimethylaminopropyl carbodiimide:Nhydroxy-succinimide (EDC:NHS) have been exhaustively investigated as ways to improve mechanical properties and stability [2,[6][7][8][9]. These strategies are in most cases utilized to fabricate solid (dry) scaffolds, however, solid scaffolds have limited application in cell transplantation.…”

A Biosynthetic Alternative to Human Donor Tissue for Inducing Corneal Regeneration: 24-Month Follow-Up of a Phase 1 Clinical Study

“…These range from fully synthetic prostheses (eg. keratoprostheses) made from poly-methacrylates, that aim to replace the cornea's refractive function (6,7), to tissue-engineered cell-based constructs (8) and hydrogels that also permit the integration of the implant and regeneration of the host tissues (9)(10)(11). At present, keratoprostheses are the only non-allogeneic option approved for human use.…”

“…The collagen was synthetically crosslinked and moulded into an implantable, biosynthetic corneal substitute (9)(10)(11). The substitute is cell-free and relies on re-population by host cells to restore corneal function, thereby avoiding the rejection reaction and the need for long-term steroid use.…”

“…The substitute is cell-free and relies on re-population by host cells to restore corneal function, thereby avoiding the rejection reaction and the need for long-term steroid use. We have successfully implanted a range of these corneal substitutes in animals (9,11). With the availability of recombinant collagen (14,15), we have developed a class of implants (16), made from human materials, that alleviate the risk of transmission of infectious agents (such as viruses or prions) inherent in components from animals, while being produced under stringent conditions for quality and safety assurance.…”

Corneal Tissue Engineering: Recent Advances and Future Perspectives

“…33 Further efforts have been undertaken to develop in vitro corneal stroma equivalents, in combination with the engineering of the epithelial layer and promoting nerve ingrowth, which ultimately culminated in engineered full-thickness cornea for tissue replacement, based on type I collagen in combination with a variety of synthetic polymers (e.g., polyacrylamide, poly(ethylene glycol)). [82][83][84][85] Biosynthetic corneas from cross-linked recombinant human collagen type III were implanted in an anterior partial keratoplasty surgery in human patients, to enhance endogenous tissue regeneration. The implants were stably integrated, innervated, and avascularized up to 2 years (Fig.…”