Development of functionalised biomaterial-based solutions for the treatment of ocular surface pathologies

Abstract

Persistent epithelial defects (PEDs), chronic corneal ulcers and Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency (LSCD) are ocular surface pathologies challenging to treat, with no successful therapies yet stablished. Thus, effective new treatments are needed to address the associated complications with the current therapies and support corneal tissue regeneration for the restoration of visual function.In this context, A biocompatible hydrogel was developed in this thesis to act as a filler for the damaged corneal stroma, functionalised with bioactive molecules to support biological tissue repair mechanisms and restore ocular health and visual properties in PEDs- or stromal ulcer-affected patients.Regarding LSCD cases, corneal substitutes that promote the oligopotent growth of limbal epithelial progenitor cells (LEPC) and resemble the native cornea in composition and anatomy could be a viable therapeutic alternative for transplantation. Thus, we have characterised primary cultures of LEPC and their relationships with other cells present in the sclerocorneal limbus, such as melanocytes. The relation in the expression markers has provided a new approach to optimise the culture conditions needed for future corneal constructs that will be generated to offer an alternative to the donor transplants currently used to treat LSCD