DCECM/DBM-Radmscs Composite Scaffold Acts as a Biosynthetic Keratoprosthesis Skirt with High Biocompatability for Corneal Transplantation

An ideal keratoprosthesis scaffold should have good mechanical property, high biocompatibility, suitable corrosion and wear resistance. Due to limitation of materials, the difference of tenacity between the keratoprosthesis and the cornea often causes the exposure of keratoprosthesis materials, which results in serious complications. The cartilage has the similar biological characteristics to the cornea, no blood vessels and has certain flexibility. Although using the auricular cartilage or rib cartilage to reinforce the keratoprosthesis has been proven greatly successful, it is not possible to be individually designed and idealized. It is urgent to design a biosynthetic material for cartilage replacement to deal with predicament. We prepared and combined the decellularized cartilage extracellular matrix (DCECM) and the decellularized bone matrix (DBM), added the rabbit adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (rADMSCs) to construct a biosynthetic keratoprosthesis skirt. We asssessed the mechanical property, cell binding efficiency, safety and cytotoxicity, biocompatability and chondrogenic or osteogenic capacity of the DCECM/DBM-rADMSCs composite scaffold. Tests revealed the DCECM/DBM scaffold has proper elasticity, tenacity, and, is safe to cells. It’s observed that the DCECM/DBM-rADMSCs composite scaffold integrated into the recipient cornea without inflammation and rejection, while transplanted in the recipient cornea for 12 months. In particular, chondrogenesis and osteogenesis are found inside and even around the scaffold. Hence, the DCECM/DBM-rADMSCs composite scaffold coule be a potential biosynthetic skirt for keratoprosthesis or a fixed supportive scaffold to reinforce the keratoprosthesis in the treatment of end-stage corneal blindness.