@article{discovery10155898, year = {2023}, volume = {51}, number = {1}, title = {An in vitro assessment of the thermoreversible PLGA-PEG-PLGA copolymer: Implications for Descemet's membrane endothelial keratoplasty}, note = {This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher's terms and conditions.}, publisher = {Wiley}, month = {January}, journal = {Clinical \& Experimental Ophthalmology}, pages = {58--66}, keywords = {Descemet's membrane, endothelial keratoplastybiodegradable polymers, endothelial keratoplasty, endothelium, thermoreversible}, abstract = {Background To explore the use of a thermoreversible copolymer gel coating to prevent donor tissue scrolling in Descemet's membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK). Methods PLGA-PEG-PLGA triblock copolymer was synthesised via ring opening polymerisation. Two formulations were fabricated and gelation properties characterised using rheological analyses. Endothelial cytotoxicity of the copolymer was assessed using a Trypan Blue exclusion assay. Thickness of the copolymer gel coating on the endothelial surface was analysed using anterior segment optical coherence tomography (OCT) (RTVue-100, Optovue Inc.). Gold nanoparticles were added to the copolymer to aid visualisation using OCT. Prevention of Descemet membrane donor scrolling was represented via a novel, in vitro, immersion of copolymer coated donor graft material. Results Two different formulations of PLGA-PEG-PLGA copolymer were successfully fabricated and the desired peak gelling temperature of 24oC was achieved by polymer blending. Application of 20\%, 30\% and 40\% (wt/vol) polymer concentrations resulted in a statistically significant increase in polymer thickness on the endothelium (pā{\ensuremath{<}}ā0.001). There was no detectable endothelial cytotoxicity. The polymer was easy to apply to the endothelium and prevented scrolling of the DMEK graft. Conclusion This PLGA-PEG-PLGA thermoreversible copolymer gel could be exploited as a therapeutic aid for preventing DMEK graft scrolling.}, url = {https://doi.org/10.1111/ceo.14167}, author = {Tint, Naing L and Cheng, Kelvin and Dhillon, Amritpaul S and Keane, Pearse A and Alexander, Philip and Kennedy, David and Chau, David YS and Rose, Felicity RAJ and Allan, Bruce DS} }