Takako Honda

Corneal Regeneration by Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty (DALK) Using Decellularized Corneal Matrix

The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the feasibility of DALK using a decellularized corneal matrix obtained by HHP methodology. Porcine corneas were hydrostatically pressurized at 980 MPa at 10°C for 10 minutes to destroy the cells, followed by washing with EGM-2 medium to remove the cell debris. The HHP-treated corneas were stained with H-E to assess the efficacy of decellularization. The decellularized corneal matrix of 300 μm thickness and 6.0 mm diameter was transplanted onto a 6.0 mm diameter keratectomy wound. The time course of regeneration on the decellularized corneal matrix was evaluated by haze grading score, fluorescein staining, and immunohistochemistry. H-E staining revealed that no cell nuclei were observed in the decellularized corneal matrix. The decellularized corneal matrices were opaque immediately after transplantation, but became completely transparent after 4 months. Fluorescein staining revealed that initial migration of epithelial cells over the grafts was slow, taking 3 months to completely cover the implant. Histological sections revealed that the implanted decellularized corneal matrix was completely integrated with the receptive rabbit cornea, and keratocytes infiltrated into the decellularized corneal matrix 6 months after transplantation. No inflammatory cells such as macrophages, or neovascularization, were observed during the implantation period. The decellularized corneal matrix improved corneal transparency, and remodelled the graft after being transplanted, demonstrating that the matrix obtained by HHP was a useful graft for corneal tissue regeneration.

Ultrastructural analysis of the decellularized cornea after interlamellar keratoplasty and microkeratome-assisted anterior lamellar keratoplasty in a rabbit model

The decellularized cornea has received considerable attention for use as an artificial cornea. The decellularized cornea is free from cellular components and other immunogens, but maintains the integrity of the extracellular matrix. However, the ultrastructure of the decellularized cornea has yet to be demonstrated in detail. We investigated the influence of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) on the decellularization of the corneal ultrastructure and its involvement in transparency, and assessed the in vivo behaviour of the decellularized cornea using two animal transplantation models, in relation to remodelling of collagen fibrils. Decellularized corneas were prepared by the HHP method. The decellularized corneas were executed by haematoxylin and eosin and Masson’s trichrome staining to demonstrate the complete removal of corneal cells. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that the ultrastructure of the decellularized cornea prepared by the HHP method was better maintained than that of the decellularized cornea prepared by the detergent method. The decellularized cornea after interlamellar keratoplasty and microkeratome-assisted anterior lamellar keratoplasty using a rabbit model was stable and remained transparent without ultrastructural alterations. We conclude that the superior properties of the decellularized cornea prepared by the HHP method were attributed to the preservation of the corneal ultrastructure.

Fabrication of Shortened Electrospun Fibers with Concentrated Polymer Brush Toward Biomaterial Applications

In this research, we aimed to develop a new type of core-shell electrospun fiber, possessing “short” length (core) and “concentrated” polymer brush (shell). We prepared electrospun fibers with initiating moiety for surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP), one of living radical polymerizations. Then we grafted poly(sodium styrene sulfonate) (PSSNa) on the fibers by SI-ATRP. After the polymerization, we mechanically cut the electrospun fibers with a homogenizer, yielding regulated shortened fibers. Our ultimate goal is to make a novel shortened nanofibril biomaterial with concentrated brush as cell growth scaffolds. Therefore we expect that this unprecedented short nanofiber can be broadly applied as a biomaterial owing to the unique structures and properties of the concentrated brush. The details will be discussed.

Embossed-carving processing of cytoskeletons of cultured cells by using focused ion beam technology

The focused ion beam (FIB) technology has drawn considerable attention in diverse research fields. FIB can be used to mill samples at the nanometer scale by using an ion beam derived from electrically charged liquid gallium (Ga). This powerful technology with accuracy at the nanometer scale is now being applied to life science research. In this study, we show the potential of FIB as a new tool to investigate the internal structures of cells. We sputtered Ga+ onto the surface or the cross section of animal cells to emboss the internal structures of the cell. Ga+ sputtering can erode the cell surface or the cross section and thus emboss the cytoskeletons quasi‐3 dimensionally. We also identified the embossed structures by comparing them with fluorescent images obtained via confocal laser microscopy because the secondary ion micrographs did not directly provide qualitative information directly. Furthermore, we considered artifacts during the FIB cross sectioning of cells and propose a way to prevent undesirable artifacts. We demonstrate the usefulness of FIB to observe the internal structures of cells. Microsc. Res. Tech. 76:290–295, 2013.