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Biologically inspired bioactive hydrogels for scarless corneal repair
Jianan Huang1, Tuoying Jiang2, Jiqiao Qie1
1Eye Center, the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Zhejiang Provincial Engineering Institute on Eye Diseases, Hangzhou 310009, P. R. China.
Science Advances
|December 18, 2024
Summary
Bioactive hydrogels (Hep@Gel) mimic the corneal basement membrane to prevent scarring after injury. This approach significantly reduces corneal fibrosis and improves vision, offering an alternative to surgery.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Ophthalmology
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Corneal fibrosis, a leading cause of blindness, stems from injury to the corneal epithelial basement membrane (EBM) and impaired regeneration.
- Restoration of EBM integrity, involving collagen for structure and heparan sulfate for cytokine regulation, is crucial for corneal transparency.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a bioactive hydrogel (Hep@Gel) that mimics EBM function for scarless corneal repair.
- To evaluate the efficacy of Hep@Gel in inhibiting corneal fibrosis and restoring vision.
Main Methods:
- Hep@Gel was synthesized using collagen-derived gelatins and heparin.
- The hydrogel's barrier function, cytokine sequestration, and degradation properties were assessed.
- Inhibition of keratocyte apoptosis and myofibroblast transition was evaluated.
- Efficacy was tested in rabbit and nonhuman primate models of corneal injury.
Main Results:
- Hep@Gel demonstrated EBM-like barrier function, sequestering and degrading key cytokines (IL-1, TGF-β, PDGF-BB).
- The hydrogel significantly inhibited keratocyte apoptosis and myofibroblast differentiation.
- In vivo studies showed reduced inflammatory and fibrotic cytokine influx, leading to 73% less fibrosis and improved vision.
Conclusions:
- Hep@Gel effectively mimics natural EBM function to prevent corneal scarring.
- This bioactive hydrogel offers a promising therapeutic strategy for corneal injury, potentially replacing lamellar keratoplasty.
