Novel Corneal Endothelial Cell Carrier Couples a Biodegradable Polymer and a Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Extracellular Matrix

Here, we report a transparent, biodegradable, and cell-adhesive carrier that is securely coupled with the extracellular matrix (ECM) for corneal endothelial cell (CEC) transplantation. To fabricate a CEC carrier, poly(lactide-co-caprolactone) (PLCL) solution was poured onto the decellularized ECM (UMDM) derived from in vitro cultured umbilical cord blood-MSCs. Once completely dried, ECM–PLCL was then peeled off from the substrate. It was 20 μm thick, transparent, rich in fibronectin and collagen type IV, and easy to handle. Surface characterizations exhibited that ECM–PLCL was very rough (54.0 ± 4.50 nm) and uniformly covered in high density by ECM and retained a positive surface charge (65.2 ± 57.8 mV), as assessed via atomic force microscopy. Human CECs (B4G12) on the ECM–PLCL showed good cell attachment, with a cell density similar to the normal cornea. They could also maintain a cell phenotype, with nicely formed cell–cell junctions as assessed via ZO-1 and N-cadherin at 14 days. This was in sharp contrast to the CEC behaviors on the FNC-coated PLCL (positive control). A function-related marker, Na+/K+-ATPase, was also identified via western blot and immunofluorescence. In addition, primary rabbit CECs showed a normal shape and they could express structural and functional proteins on the ECM–PLCL. A simulation test confirmed that CECs loaded on the ECM–PLCL were successfully engrafted into the decellularized porcine corneal tissue, with a high engraftment level and cell viability. Moreover, ECM–PLCL transplantation into the anterior chamber of the rabbit eye for 8 weeks proved the maintenance of normal cornea properties. Taken together, this study demonstrates that our ECM–PLCL can be a promising cornea endothelium graft with an excellent ECM microenvironment for CECs.