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Liu BS, Liao M, Wagner WL, Khalil HA, Chen Z, Ackermann M, Mentzer SJ. Biomechanics of a Plant-Derived Sealant for Corneal Injuries. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2023; 12:20. [PMID: 37204800 PMCID: PMC10204774 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.12.5.20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose The corneal epithelium has a glycocalyx composed of membrane-associated glycoproteins, mucins, and galactin-3. Similar to the glycocalyx in visceral tissues, the corneal glycocalyx functions to limit fluid loss and minimize frictional forces. Recently, the plant-derived heteropolysaccharide pectin has been shown to physically entangle with the visceral organ glycocalyx. The ability of pectin to entangle with the corneal epithelium is unknown. Methods To explore the potential role of pectin as a corneal bioadhesive, we assessed the adhesive characteristics of pectin films in a bovine globe model. Results Pectin film was flexible, translucent, and low profile (80 µm thick). Molded in tape form, pectin films were significantly more adherent to the bovine cornea than control biopolymers of nanocellulose fibers, sodium hyaluronate, and carboxymethyl cellulose (P < 0.05). Adhesion strength was near maximal within seconds of contact. Compatible with wound closure under tension, the relative adhesion strength was greatest at a peel angle less than 45 degrees. The corneal incisions sealed with pectin film were resistant to anterior chamber pressure fluctuations ranging from negative 51.3 ± 8.9 mm Hg to positive 214 ± 68.6 mm Hg. Consistent with these findings, scanning electron microscopy demonstrated a low-profile film densely adherent to the bovine cornea. Finally, the adhesion of the pectin films facilitated the en face harvest of the corneal epithelium without physical dissection or enzymatic digestion. Conclusions We conclude that pectin films strongly adhere to the corneal glycocalyx. Translational Relevance The plant-derived pectin biopolymer provides potential utility for corneal wound healing as well as targeted drug delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Betty S. Liu
- Laboratory of Adaptive and Regenerative Biology, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Matthew Liao
- Laboratory of Adaptive and Regenerative Biology, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Willi L. Wagner
- Laboratory of Adaptive and Regenerative Biology, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Translational Lung Research Center, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Hassan A. Khalil
- Laboratory of Adaptive and Regenerative Biology, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Zi Chen
- Laboratory of Adaptive and Regenerative Biology, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Maximilian Ackermann
- Institute of Functional and Clinical Anatomy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Steven J. Mentzer
- Laboratory of Adaptive and Regenerative Biology, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Floess M, Steinle T, Werner F, Wang Y, Wagner WL, Steinle V, Liu BS, Zheng Y, Chen Z, Ackermann M, Mentzer SJ, Giessen H. 3D stimulated Raman spectral imaging of water dynamics associated with pectin-glycocalyceal entanglement. BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS 2023; 14:1460-1471. [PMID: 37078053 PMCID: PMC10110326 DOI: 10.1364/boe.485314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 02/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Pectin is a heteropolysaccharide responsible for the structural integrity of the cell walls of terrestrial plants. When applied to the surface of mammalian visceral organs, pectin films form a strong physical bond with the surface glycocalyx. A potential mechanism of pectin adhesion to the glycocalyx is the water-dependent entanglement of pectin polysaccharide chains with the glycocalyx. A better understanding of such fundamental mechanisms regarding the water transport dynamics in pectin hydrogels is of importance for medical applications, e.g., surgical wound sealing. We report on the water transport dynamics in hydrating glass-phase pectin films with particular emphasis on the water content at the pectin-glycocalyceal interface. We used label-free 3D stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) spectral imaging to provide insights into the pectin-tissue adhesive interface without the confounding effects of sample fixation, dehydration, shrinkage, or staining.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moritz Floess
- 4 Physics Institute and Stuttgart Research Center of Photonic Engineering, University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 57, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Tobias Steinle
- 4 Physics Institute and Stuttgart Research Center of Photonic Engineering, University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 57, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Florian Werner
- 4 Physics Institute and Stuttgart Research Center of Photonic Engineering, University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 57, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Yunshan Wang
- 4 Physics Institute and Stuttgart Research Center of Photonic Engineering, University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 57, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Willi L. Wagner
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 420, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Translational Lung Research Center Heidelberg (TLRC), German Center for Lung Research (DZL), University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 156, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Verena Steinle
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 420, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Betty S. Liu
- Laboratory of Adaptive and Regenerative Biology, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yifan Zheng
- Laboratory of Adaptive and Regenerative Biology, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Zi Chen
- Laboratory of Adaptive and Regenerative Biology, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Maximilian Ackermann
- Institute of Pathology and Department of Molecular Pathology, Helios University Clinic Wuppertal, University of Witten-Herdecke, Wuppertal, Germany
- Institute of Functional and Clinical Anatomy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Steven J. Mentzer
- Laboratory of Adaptive and Regenerative Biology, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Harald Giessen
- 4 Physics Institute and Stuttgart Research Center of Photonic Engineering, University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 57, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
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Active Loading of Pectin Hydrogels for Targeted Drug Delivery. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 15:polym15010092. [PMID: 36616442 PMCID: PMC9824191 DOI: 10.3390/polym15010092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Hydrogels provide a promising method for the targeted delivery of protein drugs. Loading the protein drug into the hydrogel free volume can be challenging due to limited quantities of the drug (e.g., growth factor) and complex physicochemical properties of the hydrogel. Here, we investigated both passive and active loading of the heteropolysaccharide hydrogel pectin. Passive loading of glass phase pectin films was evaluated by contact angles and fractional thickness of the pectin films. Four pectin sources demonstrated mean contact angles of 88° with water and 122° with pleural fluid (p < 0.05). Slow kinetics and evaporative losses precluded passive loading. In contrast, active loading of the translucent pectin films was evaluated with the colorimetric tracer methylene blue. Active loading parameters were systematically varied and recorded at 500 points/s. The distribution of the tracer was evaluated by image morphometry. Active loading of the tracer into the pectin films required the optimization of probe velocity, compression force, and contact time. We conclude that active loading using pectin-specific conditions is required for the efficient embedding of low viscosity liquids into pectin hydrogels.
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