Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 3, 2026
05:05
Technique of Conjunctival Biopsy and Direct Immunofluorescence for Diagnosing Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid
Published on: June 17, 2025
1.1K
Pathology-responsive light-triggered conjunctival adhesive implantable hydrogels for effective anti-scarring after
Xianmin Shi1, Zijun Lin1, Danni Xiao1
1School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, PR China.
Summary
A novel light-activated hydrogel prevents scarring after glaucoma surgery by reducing inflammation and promoting healing. This innovation improves bleb survival and lowers eye pressure, offering a promising strategy for glaucoma filtration surgery success.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Ophthalmology
- Drug Delivery
Background:
- Glaucoma filtration surgery (GFS) success is limited by subconjunctival scarring.
- Postoperative inflammation, oxidative stress, and myofibroblast activation drive this scarring.
- Current treatments lack effective scar inhibition strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a light-triggered hydrogel for GFS to inhibit scarring.
- To enhance conjunctival adhesion, provide bleb support, and enable smart drug delivery.
- To investigate the hydrogel's efficacy in reducing postoperative fibrosis.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a PNE hydrogel from functionalized carboxymethyl chitosan and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG).
- In-situ activation via ultraviolet (UV) light for crosslinking and tissue adhesion (PNE-UV hydrogel).
- Evaluation of hydrogel properties (adhesion, mechanical strength, drug release) and in vivo performance in rabbit GFS models.
Main Results:
- PNE-UV hydrogel demonstrated rapid crosslinking, strong conjunctival adhesion, and mechanical support.
- Light-triggered EGCG release over 17 days effectively scavenged reactive oxygen species (ROS) and modulated macrophage polarization.
- The hydrogel significantly reduced GFS scarring, prolonged bleb survival, lowered intraocular pressure, and decreased collagen deposition in rabbit models.
Conclusions:
- The interfacial adhesion and immunomodulation hydrogel (PNE-UV) effectively prevents scarring after GFS.
- This smart hydrogel offers a clinically translatable strategy to improve surgical outcomes.
- Targeted drug delivery and anti-inflammatory properties are key to mitigating fibrosis and enhancing bleb function.
Related Concept Videos
02:00Photoreceptors and Plant Responses to Light
28.5K
Light plays a significant role in regulating the growth and development of plants. In addition to providing energy for photosynthesis, light provides other important cues to regulate a range of developmental and physiological responses in plants.
28.5K
01:14Adhesion
44.4K
Adhesion occurs when one type of molecule is attracted to a different molecule. Water exhibits adhesive properties in the presence of polar surfaces, such as glass or cellulose in plants. For instance, when water is poured into a glass, the positively charged hydrogen molecules of water are more attracted to the negatively charged oxygen molecules in the silica than to the oxygen in neighboring water molecules.
Capillary action is a result of water’s adhesive tendencies. When a narrow...
Capillary action is a result of water’s adhesive tendencies. When a narrow...
44.4K
01:27Passive Filters
1.0K
Passive filters are utilized to shape the frequency spectrum of signals across a diverse array of applications. These filters, using only passive elements like resistors (R), inductors (L), and capacitors (C), are capable of selectively allowing or blocking certain frequency ranges without the need for external power sources.
Low-Pass Filters
Low-pass filters are designed to transmit signals with frequencies lower than the cutoff frequency, ωc, and attenuate those above it. The cutoff...
Low-Pass Filters
Low-pass filters are designed to transmit signals with frequencies lower than the cutoff frequency, ωc, and attenuate those above it. The cutoff...
1.0K
01:25Glaucoma: Overview
1.4K
Glaucoma is an eye condition characterized by increased intraocular pressure that damages the retina and optic nerve, leading to irreversible blindness if left untreated. The human eye has various components, including the cornea, iris, pupil, lens, and optic nerve. Aqueous humor is secreted by the epithelium of the ciliary body in the posterior chamber and flows through the trabecular meshwork and canal of Schlemm, maintaining normal intraocular pressure. The trabecular meshwork and the canal...
1.4K
01:25Active Filters
1.3K
Active filters are electronic circuits that use operational amplifiers (op-amps), resistors, and capacitors to filter out unwanted frequency components from a signal. A first-order low-pass active filter is designed to pass signals with a frequency lower than a certain cutoff frequency and attenuate frequencies higher than that cutoff frequency. The transfer function for a first-order low-pass active filter is:
1.3K
01:27Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment
997
In open-angle glaucoma, the iridocorneal angle remains open, but the trabecular meshwork becomes stiff, slowing down the outflow of aqueous humor. This causes a buildup of aqueous humor in the anterior chamber, leading to a sudden increase in intraocular pressure. The treatment for open-angle glaucoma focuses on reducing the elevated intraocular pressure by either decreasing the secretion of aqueous humor or increasing its outflow.
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
997