Preparation of acellular scaffold for corneal tissue engineering by supercritical carbon dioxide extraction technology

摘要

In this study, we developed a novel method using supercritical carbon dioxide (SCCO2) to prepare acellular porcine cornea (APC). Under gentle extraction conditions using SCCO2 technology, hematoxylin and eosin staining showed that cells were completely lysed, and cell debris, including nuclei, was efficiently removed from the porcine cornea. The SCCO2-treated corneas exhibited intact stromal structures and appropriate mechanical properties. Moreover, no immunological reactions and neovascularization were observed after lamellar keratoplasty in rabbits. All transplanted grafts and animals survived without complications. The transplanted APCs were opaque after the operation but became transparent within 2 weeks. Complete re-epithelialization of the transplanted APCs was observed within 4 weeks. In conclusion, APCs produced by SCCO2 extraction technology could be an ideal and useful scaffold for corneal tissue engineering.