Electrochemical Compaction Yields Transparent and Stable Collagen Matrices for Corneal Applications

Introduction: Corneal disease due to trauma, ulceration or infection has rendered more than 10 million people blind across the world. Transplantation of donor corneas is the current gold standard for the treatment of corneal disease. However, short supply and immune related complications are major concerns. Over the past two decades, corneal tissue engineering has gained significant interest as an alternative treatment method for corneal disease. In this study, we employed an electrochemical compaction methodology to synthesize highly dense collagen matrices that mimic the transparency of native cornea. We hypothesize that optimal crosslinking will significantly improve the stability and mechanical properties of electrochemically compacted collagen (ECC) matrices. Further, we also hypothesize that crosslinked ECC matrices will support the viability and proliferation of human corneal keratocytes. The objective of the study is to develop a collagen-based functional biomaterial that mimics the transparency, density, stability, and mechanical properties of native cornea. Realization of a tissue mimicking collagen matrix will provide compositional, topographical and mechanical cues to the cells populating it and thereby promote the formation of de novo cornea-like matrix for corneal tissue engineering applications.