Resistance to keratolysis boosted by crosslinking

Article

Optimal resistance to in vitro keratolysis by collagenase A can be achieved by collagen crosslinking the deepithelialized anterior corneal surface for 30 minutes, according to a recently published study.

Optimal resistance to in vitro keratolysis by collagenase A can be achieved by collagen crosslinking the deepithelialized anterior corneal surface for 30 minutes, according to a study published in Cornea.

In a basic investigation, Barron artificial anterior chambers were used to perform ex vivo crosslinking of human corneas. The deepithelialized corneas were pretreated with riboflavin solution and irradiated with ultraviolet A (UVA) light for various durations. The corneas were then trephined and incubated with 0.3% collagenase A solution at 37 °C.

It was found that deepithelialized corneas that received no UV light and no riboflavin dissolved in 5.8 ± 0.6 hours. Increased resistance to dissolution was found in the crosslinked corneas, which demonstrated a time to dissolution of 17.8 ± 2.6 hours.

Longer UVA exposure increased the corneal tissues' resistance to collagenase, reaching a plateau at 30 minutes. Crosslinking the anterior corneas only provided the same amount of resistance as crosslinking both the anterior and posterior corneas.

Corneas that had been gamma-irradiated did not benefit from further crosslinking. They dissolved in 5.6 ± 1.2 hours when further crosslinked and 6.1 ± 0.6 hours when not.

To view an abstract of the study, click here.

Newsletter

Get the essential updates shaping the future of pharma manufacturing and compliance—subscribe today to Pharmaceutical Technology and never miss a breakthrough.

Recent Videos
Jay Chhablani, MD, shares late-breaking data from the ArMaDa trial, investigating gene therapy for Geographic Atrophy and dry age-related macular degeneration, at EURETINA
Editorial advisory board member Alexandra Miere, MD, PhD, speaks about the ACTOR and HERMES studies at the 2025 European Society of Retina Specialists (EURETINA) Congress
María Berrocal, MD, speaks about the Vit-Buckle Society symposium hosted at the 2025 European Society of Retina Specialists (EURETINA) annual meeting
© 2025 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.