Graphene Oxide/Niobium Carbide MXene Composite-Based Functional Nanocomposite Scaffold for Artificial Cornea

Abstract

Artificial cornea offers the only hope to end-stage cornea disease patient. A highly desirable artificial cornea requires high mechanical strength, good biocompatibility, sufficient durability to withstand hostile environment and possesses specific biological activities. This study reports the physical characteristics, cytocompatibility, and biocompatibility of nanocomposite by graphene oxide and niobium carbide MXene (GO/Nb2C) used in normal rabbit cornea and corneal alkali burn model. Nanoindentation and long-term corrosion assay in combination with atomic force and scanning electron microscopy were used to study mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. In vitro biocompatibility was evaluated based on the survival, proliferation, and attachment of human corneal stromal cells. In vivo stability and host tissue responses were conducted using GO/Nb2C scaffolds implanted inside rabbit corneas and in a vivo corneal alkali burn model. Fibrosis index Hsp47, FN, and a-SMA were negative. Furthermore, IL-2 and IL-6 were downregulated, along with oxidative stress indices in the rabbit cornea after implanting GO/Nb2C scaffolds. In vivo corneal alkali burns model, IF indicated GO/ Nb2C scaffolds decreased CD11b expression around surgical area. The GO/Nb2C scaffolds have significantly high biocompatibility with biological activity, safety, efficacy, antioxidative stress, and anti-inflammatory property. This promising bioactivity corneal scaffold provides new ideas for constructing a functional scaffold of artificial cornea.