Genetically Modified Pig Corneas: Histological, Optical, Biomechanical Evaluations, and In Vitro Immune Response.

• Grant number: 24/00877-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: March 01, 2024
• End date: February 28, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Silvano Mario Attilio Raia
• Grantee: Lucimeire Nova de Carvalho
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 21/11872-5 - Science for Development Center in Xenotransplantation, AP.CCD

Abstract

Corneal diseases are considered the fourth leading cause of blindness worldwide, with keratoplasty being the classical treatment recommended for severe corneal opacity cases. However, this procedure has disadvantages such as the risk of graft rejection and limited availability of high-quality corneas. Both national and global waiting lists for corneal transplants exceed 20,000 and 12 million patients, respectively. Porcine corneas share anatomical, optical, and biomechanical similarities with human corneas. Thus, the development of genetically modified pigs and the potential use of their corneas in xenotransplants have the potential to increase the availability of tissue for human transplants. For the safe clinical application of genetically modified pig corneas, it is necessary to initially assess their optical, histological, and biomechanical properties, as well as the in vitro immune response to the corneas. The results obtained in this in vitro study will pave the way for advancing research to in vivo studies and subsequently to the clinical phase.