Posters

Ex-vivo culture of mammalian corneal epithelial cells on artificial polymer membrane vs human amniotic membrane

Poster Details

First Author: U.Sridhar INDIA

Co Author(s):    T. Agarwal                    

Abstract Details

Purpose:

Comparative study of culture of mammalian corneal epithelial cells on indigenously developed biodegradable polymer membrane versus human amniotic membrane

Setting:

ICARE Eye Hospital and Post Graduate Institute, Noida

Methods:

A biodegradable scaffold membrane was developed by fusing polymer particles of poly-D-L-lactic acid (PDLLA) with methanol in the laboratories of National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi. Parallel cultures of rabbit corneal epithelial cells (Statens Seruminstitut Rabbit Cornea cell line) were done on polymer scaffold membrane and de-epithelialised human amniotic membrane and observed on days 1,3,5 and 7. Qualitative assessment of corneal epithelial cell growth was done by Rhodamine-Phalloidin staining followed by Confocal microscopy. Quantitative analysis was done by MTT [3-(4,5-dimethythiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide] assay. Comparison of growth on two membranes was done using statistical methods.

Results:

Qualitative assessment of cell growth showed increase in cell numbers on consecutive days on both the membranes. Absorbance values for MTT assay of cell culture showed a sequential increase on successive days on both membranes. On comparing cell growth between the two membranes, no statistically significant difference was found.

Conclusions:

Scaffolds made from PDLLA polymer are conducive for growth of corneal epithelial cells. They have good mechanical stability, however are brittle in nature and non-transparent. Scaffolds can be optimised for enhanced seeding efficiency and physical properties in compliance to transplantation applications. Growth of corneal epithelial cells on polymeric scaffolds is comparable to that on human amniotic membrane. Polymer scaffolds provide an easy alternative to ex-vivo culture of corneal epithelial cells.

Financial Disclosure:

NONE