The Effects of Chitosan-Hyaluronic Acid Blended Membrane on the Growth of Keratocytes

In order to construct a suitable scaffold for corneal cells culture and transplantation in vitro, different chitosan-hyaluronic acid blended membranes were prepared and the compatibility of chitosan and hyaluronic acid in blended membranes was studied. Rabbit keratocytes were seeded onto the blended membranes surface and the effects of the blended membranes on cells attachment and metabolism were investigated. The results showed that chitosan and hyaluronic acid had good compatibility in blended membranes within a certain blended ratio. Within the blending ratio of 1:0.05, hyaluronic acid could reduce the damage of chitosan membrane to cells and improve the adhersion and proliferation of cells on blended membranes. So chitosan and hyaluronic acid had good compatibility within a certain blended ratio. Hyaluronic acid could improve the biocompatibility between cells and membranes. The blended membrane had potential to be used as a scaffold for corneal cells culture in vitro and a carrier for corneal cells transplantation.