Properties of Dual-Crosslinked Collagen-Based Membranes as Corneal Repair Material

Corneal disease has become the second leading cause of blindness in world. transplantation is currently considered to be one common treatments for vision loss. This paper presents a novel approach utilizing dual-crosslinked membranes composed polyrotaxane multiple aldehydes (PRAs), 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC), and N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) development process. Collagen was crosslinked, respectively, by EDC/NHS PRAs form stable amide bonds imine groups. Through formation double interpenetrating network, (Col-EDC-PRA) exhibited enhanced resistance collagenase degradation superior mechanical properties compared crosslinked with single crosslinker. Furthermore, Col-EDC-PRA display favorable light transmittance water content characteristics. Cell experiments showed that were noncytotoxic not significantly different from other membranes. In rabbit keratoplasty model, corneal stromal repair occurred at 5 months, evidenced presence cells neo-stroma, as depicted hematoxylin–eosin-stained histologic sections optical coherence tomography images anterior segment. Moreover, there no inflammation neovascularization, well rejection reaction surgical area. Overall, results demonstrated served effectively tissue regeneration after defect.