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Tissue‐engineered tear secretory system: Functional lacrimal gland acinar cells cultured on matrix protein‐coated substrata
Author(s) -
Selvam Shivaram,
Thomas Padmaja B.,
Trousdale Melvin D.,
Stevenson Douglas,
Schechter Joel E.,
Mircheff Austin K.,
Jacob Jean T.,
Smith Ronald E.,
Yiu Samuel C.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of biomedical materials research part b: applied biomaterials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.665
H-Index - 108
eISSN - 1552-4981
pISSN - 1552-4973
DOI - 10.1002/jbm.b.30584
Subject(s) - lacrimal gland , plga , tears , lacrimal apparatus , silicone , artificial tears , chemistry , materials science , medicine , ophthalmology , pathology , surgery , biochemistry , in vitro , organic chemistry
Dry eye is a general term that refers to a myriad of ophthalmic disorders resulting in the inadequate wetting of the corneal surface by the tear film. Dry eyes are typically treated by the application of artificial tears. However, patients with lacrimal insufficiencies such as Stevens‐Johnson syndrome, chemical and thermal injuries, or ocular cicatricial pemphigoid have very limited options because of the short duration and action of lubricating agents. As a therapeutic strategy, we are working to develop a bioengineered tear secretory system for such patients. This article describes the growth and physiological properties of purified rabbit lacrimal gland acinar cells (pLGACs) on several matrix protein‐coated polymers such as silicone, collagen I, copolymers of poly‐ D,L ‐lactide‐ co ‐glycolide (PLGA; 85:15 and 50:50), poly‐ L ‐lactic acid (PLLA), and Thermanox® plastic cell culture coverslips. Monolayers of acinar cells were established on all of the polymeric substrata. An assay of β‐hexosaminidase activity in the supernatant medium showed significant increases in protein secretion, following stimulation with 100 μ M carbachol on matrix protein‐coated and uncoated polymers such as silicone, PLGA 85:15, and PLLA. Our study demonstrates that PLLA supported the morphological and physiological properties of purified rabbit lacrimal gland epithelial cells more successfully than the others. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2007