The experimental study of bio-engineered free-cell ostrich cornea as xenograft

Healthy cornea is a major element in optical pathway. Corneal blindness can occur due to various causes and different severities, and almost the best effective treatment is corneal allotransplantation. The limitation of allograft propounds the usage of other alternatives such as xenograft besides synthetic biomaterials and keratoprostheses. The aim of the study is to produce Extra Cellular Matrix (ECM) with decellularization method in ostrichs cornea. The Ostrichs heads were obtained from a local slaughter house. All corneas were excised. Then ECM was prepared by the combination of chemomechanical and ionic detergent methods. Cellular components elimination and stromal structure were assessed by three types of histological staining and ultra-structural studies. Corneal transparency and thickness evaluated in macroscopic observation. Histological staining of the decellularized cornea confirmed the complete removal of corneal cells as well as preserving the integrity of basement membrane. The ultra-structural studies revealed that decellularization process preserved the native structure of the stromal cornea although the collagen bundle space increased slightly. However, after immersing the acellular cornea in 100% glycerol, their optical properties regained to those native corneas. The authors believe that tissue processing method of ostrich cornea which applied in present study can be used as an alternative tissue after completing other examinations such as cell culture, immunological and biomechanical properties.