Confocal and Histological Features After Poly(Ethylene Glycol) Diacrylate Corneal Inlay Implantation

Purpose: To evaluate the in vivo biocompatibility of photopolymerized poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) intrastromal inlays in rabbit corneas. Methods: Sixty-three eyes of 42 New Zealand rabbits were included. Manual intrastromal pockets were dissected in 42 eyes. PEGDA inlays were obtained using a specifically designed photomask and were inserted in the intrastromal pocket of 21 eyes (inlay group); the remaining 21 right eyes did not receive any implant (pocket-only group). Twenty-one eyes with no intervention were used as controls. In vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) was performed at every visit. After 2 months, rabbits were sacrificed and corneas removed for histological analysis. Results: Corneas remained clear in all but two animals, and five cases of corneal neovascularization were seen (P = 0.2). Inlays remained stable without evidence of lateral or anterior migration, and no other complications were observed. No changes in anterior and posterior keratocyte density (P = 0.3 and P = 0.1, respectively) or endothelial cell density (P = 0.23) were observed between groups during the study time by IVCM. On pathology samples, thinning of the epithelium over the inlay area and epithelial hyperplasia over the edges were observed. A polygonal empty space with no evidence of PEGDA hydrogel within the midstroma was seen in the inlay group. Keratocytes were normal in shape and number in the vicinity of the PEGDA implant area. Conclusions: Photopolymerized PEGDA intrastromal inlays have shown relatively good safety and stability in rabbit corneas. Inlays were biostable in the corneal environment and remained transparent during follow up. Translational Relevance: The investigated PEGDA is promising for the development of biocompatible intrastromal implants.Supported in part by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Education through Apply Research, grant MAT2006-13708-CO2-01. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper. Disclosure: A. Bidaguren, None; J. Mendicute, None; I. Madarieta, Tecnalia (E); N. Garagorri, Tecnalia (E

Polymeric and flexible biomaterials for spinal fusion

[EN] In the framework of the CENIT INTELIMPLANT, the consortium composed by TEQUIR, S.L., the Instituto de Biomecánica (IBV) and other regional and nacional research groups have carried out the development, characterization and evaluation of a novel polymeric and flexible biomaterial for different applications such as spinal fusion and bone defects treatment.[ES] En el marco del proyecto CENIT INTELIMPLANT, el consorcio formado por la empresa de implantes TEQUIR S.L., el Instituto de Biomecánica (IBV) y otros centros de investigación de ámbito regional y nacional han llevado a cabo el desarrollo, caracterización y evaluación de un nuevo biomaterial polimérico flexible de aplicación, entre otras, en fusiones vertebrales y en el tratamiento de defectos óseos.El proyecto CENIT INTELIMPLANT (Biomateriales Avanzados para una Nueva Generación de Implantes) liderado por BTI (Biotechnology Institute, S.L.) fue uno de los 16 proyectos aprobados por el Centro para el Desarrollo Tecnológico Industrial (CDTI) en la tercera convoactoria del programa CENIT, que se inscribe en la iniciativa del gobierno español INGENIO 2010Primo Capella, V.; Lara Sáez, I.; Avila Carrasco, C.; Montaner Murgui, C.; Lebourg ., MM.; Ródenas Rochina, J.; Garagorri Ganchegui, N.... (2011). Biomateriales poliméricos flexibles para fusiones vertebrales. Revista de biomecánica. (56):67-69. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/38184S67695

Acellular human corneal matrix sheets seeded with human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells integrate functionally in an experimental animal model

Purpose: To evaluate the in vivo biocompatibility of grafts composed of sheets of decellularized human corneal stroma with or without the recellularization of human adipose derived adult stem cells (h-ADASC) into the rabbit cornea. Methods: Sheets of human corneal stroma of 90 gm thickness were decellularized, and their lack of cytotoxicity was assayed. The recellularization was achieved by the injection of 2 x 10(5) labeled h-ADASC in the graft followed by five days of cell culture. The grafts were implanted in vivo into a stromal pocket at 50% depth. After a triple-masked three-month follow-up, the animals were euthanized and the bio-integration of the graft, the viability of the stem cells and the expression of keratocan (human keratocyte-specific protein) were assessed. Results: The decellularized stromal sheets showed an intact extracellular matrix with a decellularization rate of 92.8% and an excellent recellularization capacity in vitro with h-ADASC. A complete and stable graft transparency was observed during the full follow-up, with absence of any clinical sign of rejection. The postmortem analysis demonstrated the survival of the transplanted human stem cells inside the graft and their differentiation into functional keratocytes, as assessed by the expression of human keratocan. Conclusions: We report a new model of lamellar keratoplasty that requires only a simple and safe procedure of liposuction and a donor allogeneic cornea to provide an optically transparent autologous stromal graft with excellent biocompatibility and integration into the host tissue in a rabbit modelThis work was supported in part by grants CEN-20091021 from the Spanish Ministry of Health, IAP-560610-2008-44 and SAF2010-19230 from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, and from Fundacio Marato de TV3, Spain