Injectable High-Adhesion Fibrinogen-Silk Fibroin Hydrogel Loaded with Curcumin Accelerates Pterygium Repair via Dual...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Ophthalmology
• Tissue Engineering

Background:

• Pterygium recurrence post-surgery is a significant clinical challenge.
• Current fibrin glue (FG) has limited adhesion, leading to graft detachment.
• Therapeutic strategies for fibroblast proliferation and inflammation are insufficient.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a high-adhesion, injectable biomaterial for pterygium surgery.
• To create a dual-functional material with sustained drug delivery capabilities.
• To investigate the anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative effects of the new biomaterial.

Main Methods:

• Genipin-cross-linking silk fibroin into fibrin glue to create FG-GP-SF-Cur.
• In vitro assessment of adhesion, drug release kinetics, and fibroblast behavior.
• In vivo evaluation in a corneal alkali burn model to assess neovascularization and inflammation.

Main Results:

• FG-GP-SF-Cur demonstrated enhanced shear and tensile adhesion with prolonged curcumin release (>10 days).
• The material suppressed pterygium fibroblast migration and proliferation by modulating key fibrotic markers.
• FG-GP-SF-Cur promoted M2 macrophage polarization and inhibited ocular neovascularization and fibrosis in vivo.

Conclusions:

• FG-GP-SF-Cur is a promising dual-functional biomaterial for pterygium surgery.
• Its high adhesion and controlled drug delivery can minimize recurrence.
• This approach offers enhanced surgical outcomes and improved ocular surface repair.