Therapeutic Potential of Graphene Quantum Dots on Pterygium Cells

To evaluate the therapeutic potential of graphene quantum dots (GQDs) in modulating key pathological processes in pterygium, including abnormal cell proliferation, migration, and extracellular matrix remodeling.

Primary fibroblast cells from human pterygium and conjunctival tissues were cultured and treated with GQDs (6.25-100 µg/mL). Cell cytotoxicity and viability were assessed using live/dead and CCK-8 assays. Cell migration was evaluated via scratch wound-healing assays. Microtubule integrity was analyzed using α-tubulin immunocytochemistry and super-resolution stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy imaging. Expression of pathological proteins (cyclin D1, CDK2, periostin, matrix metalloproteinase [MMP]-3, and MMP-9) was quantified by Western blotting.

GQDs selectively impaired pathological behaviors in pterygium fibroblasts, reducing viability and migration in a dose-dependent manner, with minimal effects on conjunctival fibroblasts. Stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy imaging revealed GQD-induced microtubule fragmentation in pterygium fibroblasts. GQDs also significantly downregulated cyclin D1, CDK2, periostin, MMP-3, and MMP-9.

GQDs suppress multiple pathologic features of pterygium, including selective cytotoxicity, downregulation of key molecular mediators (cyclin D1, periostin, MMP-3, and MMP-9), and a novel mechanism involving microtubule fragmentation. These findings support the potential of GQDs as a noninvasive therapeutic strategy to suppress pterygium progression and decrease postoperative recurrence.