Developing a multiscale in silico cornea for understanding the role of cell mechanics in corneal pathologies

Pant, Anup; Paul, Elliot; Vahdati, Akbar

doi:10.1016/j.bbe.2020.08.003

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…It is noteworthy that there are structural differences among the multilayered collagen matrix in the human cornea [ 20 , 21 ]. For example, the corneal epithelial layer and the endothelium layer have a dense layer structure, whereas the layer density of the corneal stromal is relatively loose [ 22 ]. At present, the defect site of patients with clinical keratopathy varies from person to person.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Collagen Film with Bionic Layered Structure and High Light Transmittance for Personalized Corneal Repair Fabricated by Controlled Solvent Evaporation Technique

Zhang

Kong

et al. 2022

JFB

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Corneal blindness is a common phenomenon, and corneal transplantation is an effective treatment for corneal defects. However, there is usually a mismatch between the corneal repair material and the degree of the patient’s corneal defect. Therefore, patients with different corneal defects need suitable corneal repair materials with a specific microstructure for personalized treatment. In this research, collagen films with bionic structures were fabricated through ethanol evaporation technique by regulating the volume ratios of collagen solution: ethanol = 10:0(Col)/9:1(CC91)/8:2(CC82)/CC73(CC73). Under various preparation conditions, the obtained collagen films contain layered structures of different density. SEM photos show that the CC73 film with a dense layer arrangement has a microstructure similar to that of the corneal epithelial layer, whereas the Col film has a loose layered structure similar to that of the corneal stroma layer. Four kinds of collagen films showed different optical properties and water absorption ability. A more ordered arrangement of internal layer structure leads to better mechanical properties of the collagen film. In view of this, we think that these collagen films with different microstructures and different interlayer spacing may have huge potential applications for personalized corneal repair.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Collagen Film with Bionic Layered Structure and High Light Transmittance for Personalized Corneal Repair Fabricated by Controlled Solvent Evaporation Technique

Zhang

Kong

et al. 2022

JFB

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“…This pattern was also replicated by a numerical study employing the Pandolfi model of the healthy cornea [ 16 , 57 ] that showed the in vivo corneal responses to a probe pressed onto the corneal apex or air-puff tonometry [ 48 ]. Similarly, the recent numerical mechanobiology study by Pant et al showed that when modeled keratocytes in the anterior, middle, and posterior stroma were subjected to knuckle-like rubbing, the posterior keratocyte experienced the greatest maximum principal stress whereas the anterior keratocyte experienced negative stress [ 88 ]. Our simulation also displayed shear stresses starting from the posterior stroma and running towards the anterior layers.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biomechanics of keratoconus: Two numerical studies

et al. 2023

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Background The steep cornea in keratoconus can greatly impair eyesight. The etiology of keratoconus remains unclear but early injury that weakens the corneal stromal architecture has been implicated. To explore keratoconus mechanics, we conducted two numerical simulation studies. Methods A finite-element model describing the five corneal layers and the heterogeneous mechanical behaviors of the ground substance and lamellar collagen-fiber architecture in the anterior and posterior stroma was developed using the Holzapfel-Gasser-Ogden constitutive model. The geometry was from a healthy subject. Its stroma was divided into anterior, middle, and posterior layers to assess the effect of changing regional mechanical parameters on corneal displacement and maximum principal stress under intraocular pressure. Specifically, the effect of softening an inferocentral corneal button, the collagen-based tissues throughout the whole cornea, or specific stromal layers in the button was examined. The effect of simply disorganizing the orthogonally-oriented posterior stromal fibers in the button was also assessed. The healthy cornea was also subjected to eye rubbing-like loading to identify the corneal layer(s) that experienced the most tensional stress. Results Conical deformation and corneal thinning emerged when the corneal button or the mid-posterior stroma of the button underwent gradual softening or when the collagen fibers in the mid-posterior stroma of the button were dispersed. Softening the anterior layers of the button or the whole cornea did not evoke conical deformation. Button softening greatly increased and disrupted the stress on Bowman’s membrane while mid-posterior stromal softening increased stress in the anterior layers. Eye rubbing profoundly stressed the deep posterior stroma while other layers were negligibly affected. Discussion These observations suggest that keratoconus could be initiated, at least partly, by mechanical instability/damage in the mid-posterior stroma that then imposes stress on the anterior layers. This may explain why subclinical keratoconus is marked by posterior but not anterior elevation on videokeratoscopy.

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Cornea digital twins for studying the critical role of mechanics in physiology, pathology and surgical repair

Vahdati¹

2023

Digital Human Modeling and Medicine

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Developing a multiscale in silico cornea for understanding the role of cell mechanics in corneal pathologies

Cited by 3 publications

References 37 publications

Collagen Film with Bionic Layered Structure and High Light Transmittance for Personalized Corneal Repair Fabricated by Controlled Solvent Evaporation Technique

Collagen Film with Bionic Layered Structure and High Light Transmittance for Personalized Corneal Repair Fabricated by Controlled Solvent Evaporation Technique

Biomechanics of keratoconus: Two numerical studies

Cornea digital twins for studying the critical role of mechanics in physiology, pathology and surgical repair

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