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No / The aim of this study was to develop a synthetic hydrogel to act as a corneal substitute capable of selectively supporting the adhesion and proliferation of limbal epithelial cells (LECs) while inhibiting growth of limbal fibroblasts. Deficiency of LECs causes conjunctival epithelial cells to move over the cornea, producing a thick scar pannus. Unilateral defects can be treated using LEC cultured from the unaffected eye, transplanting them to the affected cornea after scar tissue is removed. The underlying wound bed is often damaged, however, hence the need to develop a corneal inlay to aid in corneal re-epithelialization. Transparent epoxy-functional polymethacrylate networks were synthesized using a combination of glycerol monomethacrylate, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, lauryl methacrylate and glycidyl methacrylate that produced two different bulk hydrogel compositions with different equilibrium water contents (EWCs): Base 1 and Base 2, EWC=55% and 35%, respectively. Two sets of amine-functional hydrogels were produced following reaction of the epoxide groups with excesses of either ammonia, 1,2-diamino ethane, 1,3-diamino propane, 1,4-diamino butane or 1,6-diamino hexane. Neither series of hydrogels supported the proliferation of limbal fibroblasts irrespective of amine functionalization but they both supported the adhesion and proliferation of limbal epithelial cells, particularly when functionalized with 1,4-diamino butane. With Base 1 hydrogels (less so with Base 2) a vigorous epithelial outgrowth was seen from small limbal explants and a confluent epithelial layer was achieved in vitro within 6days. The data support the development of hydrogels specific for epithelial formation.

Orientador: José Luiz Laus / Banca: Auero Evangelista Santana / Banca: Thiago Luiz de Salles Gomes / Resumo: Avaliaram-se descritivamente, à clínica, à histopatologia e à imunoistoquímica (ki 67- marcador de proliferação celular) os resultados, da cicatrização da córnea, após ceratoplastias lamelares com membrana de celulose microfibrilar em coelhos. Para tal, utilizaram-se 30 coelhos , distribuídos em 5 grupos de 6 animais, avaliados por até 60 dias de pós operatório. A avaliação clínica revelou manifestações moderadas de edema, blefaroespasmos, fotofobia desde o segundo dia, evoluindo para formas discretas ou ausentes a partir do sétimo dia, onde observou-se clinicamente o reparo do defeito da córnea. A histopatologia revelou uma fina camada de células escamosas, recobrindo totalmente a área lesada, aos sete dias, e com leve infiltrado de células polimorfonucleares. Observou-se a presença de vasos no epitélio a partir do 15º dia , com regressão aos 48º dias .A imunoistoquímica mostrou aumento de células em proliferação aos 15 dias no epitélio (p= 0,049) e aos trinta dias no estroma (p= 0,042). Frente aos resultados obtidos, há como admitir que mesmo com o defeito corneal concluído, aos sete dias, o sistema de defesa celular ainda se manteve ativo, pois a proliferação celular no epitélio se mostrou mais intensa aos 15 dias de observação ,conforme demonstrado imunoistoquimicamente. Onde nesse período ocorreu remodelamento e adesão epitelial da córnea, características satisfatórias em ceratoplastia lamelar em coelhos . / Abstract: Were evaluated the clinic, the histopathology and immunohistochemistry (ki 67 - marker of cell proliferation), the results of the membrane of cellulose in lamellar keratoplasty in rabbits. To this end, 30 rabbits were used, divided into 5 groups of 6 animals, assessed by up to 60 days of post-operative. The assessment showed clinical manifestations of moderate swelling, blefarospasmos, photophobia since the second day, evolving into discrete forms or absent from the seventh day, where there was clinically repair the defect of the cornea. The histopathology revealed a thin layer of squamous cells, completely covering the injured area, the seven days, and with mild infiltration of polymorphonuclear cells. There was the presence of vessels in the epithelium from the 15 th day, with regression of days to 48. Immunohistochemistry showed increased cell proliferation in the 15 days in the epithelium (p = 0049) and the thirty days in the stroma (p = 0042) . Facing the results achieved, as there admit that even with the beginning of healing, and with the defect of the cornea closed to seven days, the system of defence cell remained active, as in the epithelial cell proliferation was more intense at 15 days, as shown imunoistochemistry. Where in that period showed epithelial remodeling and membership, characteristics satisfactory in lamellar keratoplasty in rabbits. / Mestre