Purpose: To determine whether a polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PGLA) scaffold bearing the autologous adipose derived stem cells (ADSC) insert could repair the defect of rabbit corneal stroma without compromising tissue transparency. Methods: ADSC were isolated from rabbits and expanded by tissue culture. The fourth passage of cells were harvested and mixed with PLGA meterial to form cell-scaffold constructs. After 1 week of co-culturing, they were transplanted into the rabbit corneal stroma. Upon follow-up, slit lamp and confocal corneal scanning microscope were used to investigate the cornea. Nine weeks after transplantation, transmission electron microscopy and histological evaluation were performed. Transplantation of PLGA scaffold alone and autologous corneal stroma served as controls. Results: ADSC were successfully obtained and maintained which appeared fibroblast-like. ADSC attached and proliferated well either on the surface of or inside the scaffolds. After stroma transplantation in vivo, implants gradually became transparent without corneal neovascularization, while the corneal epithelium and endothelium remained normal. Regeneration of nerve fibers without inflammatory cell infiltration was observed in the corneal stroma. HE examination revealed that the corneal stroma gradually renovated. Transmission electron microscopy analysis showed no significant difference in the diameter of collagen fibrils among the groups but that the collagen fibers were aligned in a disordered fashion. Conclusions: The successful repair of corneal stroma defects with this approach supports the potential use of ADSC with PLGA scaffolds for cornea tissue engineering. The minimally invasive surgical procedure needed to obtain autologous ADSC and the low risk of rejection makes this a promising clinical approach. © 2009 Springer-Verlag.
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