Bioreactor design for cornea tissue engineering: Material-cell interactions.

Abstract

Several materials were evaluated for potential use in a bioreactor system for a tissue-engineered cornea. Two types of cytotoxicity tests were performed using human corneal stromal fibroblasts: a 24h cytotoxicity test based on the ASTM standard F813-01 and a 7 days growth inhibition test. It was determined that culture configuration, autoclaving and materials surface preparation were all important factors influencing cell viability. Poly(etheretherketone) and titanium-6Al-4V were found to be the most appropriate materials for use in a corneal bioreactor system. Furthermore, poly(oxymethylene) copolymer and poly(tetrafluoroethlylene) are not safe for use with human corneal fibroblasts after autoclaving.