323: SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF NOVEL AROMATIC COPOLYESTERS AS CORNEAL ENDOTHELIAL SUBSTITUTES

SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF NOVEL AROMATIC

COPOLYESTERS AS CORNEAL ENDOTHELIAL SUBSTITUTES

Perrucci A.,^a Pollutri D.,^c Guidotti G.,^a Soccio M.,^a Versura P., ^b,c Fontana L., ^b,c  Lotti N.^a

^aCivil, Chemical, Environmental and Materials Engineering Department (DICAM), Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, via Umberto Terracini, 28, 40131, Bologna, Italy.

^bOphthalmology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, via Giuseppe Massarenti, 9, 40138, Bologna, Italy.

^cIRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, via Pelagio Palagi, 9, 40138, Bologna, Italy.

Email: alessandra.perrucci2@unibo.it

ABSTRACT

Keratoplasty is one of the most successful transplantation procedures worldwide. It is the preferred treatment when the cornea’s transparency is compromised, particularly in cases of endothelial dysfunction, often leading to corneal edema. Corneal transplantation remains the best therapeutic choice to improve visual acuity, despite the high cost, the lack of donors, and the associated surgical risks.¹ However, in cases of chronic disorders or several transplant failures, artificial corneas are considered valid alternatives.² Hard keratoprostheses, such as Boston KPro type I, remain a viable option; however, they do not eliminate the need for donor corneas and the challenges in biointegration with the stromal wall. The development of soft keratoprostheses, including AlphaCor^TM, made from synthetic and inert materials, has led to implants easier to handle, thanks to their suitable mechanical properties, simplifying the surgical procedure.³ In particular, a recent device, EndoArt^®, made of hydroxyethyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate, is capable to replace the diseased endothelium layer.⁴ Such artificial device works as an impermeable barrier, preventing fluid influx and reducing corneal edema. However, the most important unsolved issue lies in the implant detachment from the stromal surface. In this context, in the present contribution novel aromatic copolyesters with different compositions, containing a sulphur-based polar group, were successfully synthesized. Compression-moulded films were subjected to molecular, thermal, mechanical and surface characterization, as well as to biocompatibility evaluation through in vitro cytotoxicity tests. The results obtained show that the copolymer with low comonomeric unit content could be suitable for corneal transplantation.

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