Purpose: To develop an in vitro model that mimics aspects of corneal healing in humans for uncovering key mechanisms involved in the mechanisms involved in the healing and scarring processes.
Methods: As part of the healing matrix, TGF-β1–induced and corneal-derived myofibroblasts were cultured in fibrin hydrogels with configurations that recapitulate the healthy (aligned) and wounded (random) microenvironment of the cornea.
Results: Evaluation of cellular alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and collagen hybridizing peptide (CHP) showed cell and matrix alignment, respectively. The aligned compared to the random constructs demonstrated an increased ability to synthesize total soluble proteins, including collagen type V, but collagen type I levels were reduced. This finding reveals a differential pattern for these proteins. Additionally, the collagen fibril diameters were larger in the aligned tissue constructs compared to the random constructs. Fibronectin and CHP colocalization patterns did not differ between groups; however, fibronectin and decorin were increased in the aligned group in contrast to tenascin C, which showed no difference.
Conclusions: These findings suggest that the alignment of the healing microenvironment plays a crucial role in modulating the structural properties of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and regulates the synthesis of key proteins that are closely involved in fibrillogenesis and are indicative of the quality of the deposited ECM.
Translational Relevance: We developed a three-dimensional in vitro model that closely mimics in vivo conditions to investigate the role of corneal myofibroblasts in healing and regeneration. Ultimately, this model can help develop targeted antifibrotic therapies to prevent corneal scarring.