Objective To produce a natural, acellular matrix from porcine cornea for use as a scaffold in developing a tissue-engineered cornea replacement.
Methods Full-thickness, intact porcine corneas were decellularised by immersion in 0.5% (w/v) sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). The resulting acellular matrices were then characterized and examined specifically for completeness of the de-cellularization process.
Results Histological analyses of decellularized corneal stromas showed that complete cell and α-Gal removal was achieved, while the major structural proteins including collagen type I and IV, laminin, and fibronectin were retained. Uniaxial tensile testing indicated that decellularisation did not significantly compromise the ultimate tensile strength of the tissue (P>0.05). In vitro cytotoxicity assays using rabbit corneal fibroblasts cultures excluded the presence of soluble toxins in the biomaterial. In summary, a full-thickness natural acellular matrix retaining the major structural components and strength of the cornea has been successfully developed.
Conclusion The matrix is biocompatible with cornea-derived cells and has potential for use in corneal transplantation and tissue-engineering applications.