Introducing Antifouling Properties Onto Janus-Like Decellularized Corneas via Graft-From Zwitterionic Polymers

The lack of endothelial layer hinders the use of decellularized corneal stroma in keratoplasty, resulting in adverse effects, such as non-specific protein adsorption and corneal oedema after implantation, which leads to rapid failure of the ophthalmic implants. In this study, superhydrophilic poly(2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine) (PMPC) was gently introduced to the porcine-derived decellularized corneal stroma matrix (pDCSM), aiming to resist undesirable biofilm adsorption within the ocular environment. After complete decellularization, the pDCSM was first methacrylated by the integration of methacrylic anhydride. Consecutively, PMPC was only grafted from the back surface (endothelium side) of the methacrylated pDCSM through surface-initiated free radical polymerization. This one-side surface-modified pDCSM not only retained good optical transmittance and mechanical properties that were comparable to the untreated pDCSM, but both surfaces of the same artificial cornea also showed non-cytotoxicity and good biocompatibility. Moreover, the PMPC-grafted back surface exhibited considerable antifouling properties that resisted both protein and cell adhesion. Consequently, such Janus-like artificial cornea holds great promise in future ophthalmic applications, which may serve as a springboard for the design of versatile decellularized extracellular matrix based biomedical implants with Janus-like properties.