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Natural Dual-Crosslinking Bioadhesive Hydrogel for Corneal Regeneration in Large-Size Defects
Long Zhao1, Zhen Shi1, Xiuli Sun1
1Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, 266071, P. R. China.
Advanced Healthcare Materials
|August 30, 2022
Summary
A new injectable hydrogel (IonBAH) effectively repairs large 6mm corneal defects in rabbits, restoring transparency and promoting tissue regeneration. This bioadhesive scaffold offers a promising alternative to donor corneal transplantation for complex eye injuries.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Ophthalmology
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Corneal injectable hydrogels offer alternatives to donor tissue and traditional surgeries.
- Current hydrogels are limited to small corneal defects (≤3.5 mm), failing to meet clinical needs for larger injuries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and evaluate a novel ion-activated bioadhesive hydrogel (IonBAH) for repairing large 6 mm corneal defects.
- To assess the long-term (6 months) performance and biocompatibility of IonBAH in a rabbit model.
Main Methods:
- Developed a dual-network hydrogel (IonBAH) from natural corneal extracellular matrix and peptide-modified alginate.
- Evaluated IonBAH's transparency, biocompatibility, mechanical properties, and adhesion.
- Assessed IonBAH's effect on keratocyte phenotype in vitro.
- Tested IonBAH in vivo for large corneal defect repair in rabbits over 6 months.
Main Results:
- IonBAH demonstrated excellent transparency, biocompatibility, tunable mechanics, and robust adhesion.
- The hydrogel maintained quiescent keratocyte phenotype and prevented myofibroblastic differentiation.
- In vivo, IonBAH rapidly sealed 6 mm corneal defects, promoting regeneration of epithelium, stroma, and nerves.
- Restored corneal transparency was comparable to donor corneal transplantation outcomes.
Conclusions:
- IonBAH shows significant potential as a clinically applicable scaffold for corneal repair, particularly for large defects.
- The bioadhesive hydrogel offers a promising solution to address donor tissue shortages and simplify surgical procedures.
- IonBAH's versatility as an adhesive and patch warrants further clinical investigation.
