Objective: To investigate the expression level of metalloproteinases-2(MMP-2) and Collagen in a hydroxyapatite surfaced-modified of three Pan type titanium keratoprosthesis after that implanted into the corneal stroma of rabbits, further evaluate its biological compatibility.
Methods: Experimental study. Twenty-four New Zealand white rabbits, 2.0-2.5 kg, were respectively divided into three groups. Surgery was performed in right eye of all animals. skirt of HA-Ti and Ti were respectively inserted into the corneal stroma of rabbit of experimental group A and group B; only a sack was made without implantation in control group C . Cornea edema and corneal neovascularization were observed at scheduled times after operation; animals were sacrificed 2, 4 and 16 weeks after operation and their cornea was removed and examined under light microscopy; the surface of skirt was observed under scanning electron microscope.
Results: During the study period, all skirts were stable without infected, dissolved and excluded. Different degree of cornea edema and neovascularization was revealed after surgery. MMP-2 were absent in the normal corneal matrix. The expression level of MMP-2 in group A was higher than group C at all time points (F = 6.083, P < 0.05), and was increased than group B at 4th (F = 47.074, P < 0.01), and was increased than group C at 16th weeks too (F = 6.079, P < 0.05) . Corneal organization has a large green 4 weeks type III collagen and yellow red type I collagen, 16 weeks corneal mainly for bright red when within the collagen type I, still have a small amount of collagen type III.
Conclusions: Rabbit cornea implanted HA-Ti skirts cause MMP-2 activation, continuous high expression didn't cause the cornea to dissolve; Collagen -III turned into collagen-I gradually in the extracellular matrix around the skirts. Hydroxyapatite modified titanium for Keratoprosthesis promoted the corneal neovascularization and improve the interfacial bio integration of skirt and host cornea.