Application of Noggin-Coated Electrospun Scaffold in Corneal Wound Healing

PURPOSE: The objective of this study is to develop and characterize electrospun corneal bandage infused with Noggin protein and evaluate its therapeutic potential in the treatment of superficial nonhealing corneal ulceration. METHODS: Electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds were created with different blend ratios of polycaprolactone and gelatin and coated with different concentrations of Noggin protein. Morphologic, mechanical, degradation, and surface chemistry of the developed scaffold was assessed. Biocompatibility of the developed scaffold with corneal epithelial cells was evaluated by looking at cell viability, proliferation, and immunostaining. In vitro wound healing in the presence of Noggin-coated scaffold was evaluated by measuring wound closure rate after scratch. RESULTS: Uniform nanofibrous scaffolds coated with Noggin were constructed through optimization of electrospinning parameters and demonstrated mechanical properties better than or similar to commercially available contact lenses used in corneal wound healing. In the presence of Noggin-coated scaffold, corneal epithelial cells showed higher proliferation and wound-healing rate. CONCLUSIONS: This Noggin-coated electrospun scaffold represents a step toward, expanding treatment options for patients with indolent corneal ulcers. TRANSLATIONAL RELEVANCE: In this study, the feasibility of Noggin-coated electrospun scaffold as a therapeutic for indolent corneal ulcer was evaluated. This study also provides a better perspective for understanding electrospun scaffolds as a tunable platform to infuse topical therapeutics and use as a corneal bandage.