Single-Sided Dual-Functional MPC-HEMA Coating for DMEK Grafts to Achieve Fluid-Barrier/Anti-Fouling Performance and...

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering

Background:

• Corneal endothelial dysfunction causes global blindness.
• Descemet's membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) is an effective but technically challenging procedure.
• Donor grafts in DMEK are fragile, prone to scrolling and leakage.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a unilaterally functionalized coating for DMEK donor grafts.
• To enhance graft stability and prevent complications during DMEK surgery.
• To improve the clinical applicability and success rate of DMEK.

Main Methods:

• Developed a dual-functional coating using hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC).
• Compared two photo-crosslinking strategies: bulk copolymerization and surface grafting.
• Evaluated physicochemical properties, antifouling performance, and clinical operability of the coated grafts.

Main Results:

• The coating provided mechanical stability and prevented graft scrolling.
• MPC modification created a hydration layer, blocking protein adsorption and aqueous humor leakage.
• Both coating methods showed good biocompatibility, mechanical stability, and antifouling properties.
• The functionalized coating demonstrated resistance to protein and bacterial adhesion.

Conclusions:

• The unilaterally functionalized coating addresses key challenges in DMEK surgery.
• This biomaterial innovation has significant potential to improve surgical outcomes.
• The developed coating could facilitate broader clinical adoption of DMEK.