A “T.E.S.T.” hydrogel bioadhesive assisted by corneal cross-linking for in situ sutureless corneal repair

Meiyan Li; Ruoyan Wei; Chang Liu; Haowei Fang; Weiming Yang; Yunzhe Wang; Yiyong Xian; Kunxi Zhang; Yong He; Xingtao Zhou

Bioactive Materials (Jul 2023)

A “T.E.S.T.” hydrogel bioadhesive assisted by corneal cross-linking for in situ sutureless corneal repair

Meiyan Li,
Ruoyan Wei,
Chang Liu,
Haowei Fang,
Weiming Yang,
Yunzhe Wang,
Yiyong Xian,
Kunxi Zhang,
Yong He,
Xingtao Zhou

Affiliations

Meiyan Li: Department of Ophthalmology, EYE & ENT Hospital of Fudan University Shanghai, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Myopia (Fudan University), Shanghai, China; Shanghai Research Center of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Shanghai, China
Ruoyan Wei: Department of Ophthalmology, EYE & ENT Hospital of Fudan University Shanghai, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Myopia (Fudan University), Shanghai, China; Shanghai Research Center of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Shanghai, China
Chang Liu: Department of Ophthalmology, EYE & ENT Hospital of Fudan University Shanghai, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Myopia (Fudan University), Shanghai, China; Shanghai Research Center of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Shanghai, China
Haowei Fang: Department of Polymer Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
Weiming Yang: Department of Ophthalmology, EYE & ENT Hospital of Fudan University Shanghai, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Myopia (Fudan University), Shanghai, China; Shanghai Research Center of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Shanghai, China; Department of Ophthalmology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Children's Medical Center, Shanghai, China
Yunzhe Wang: Department of Ophthalmology, EYE & ENT Hospital of Fudan University Shanghai, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Myopia (Fudan University), Shanghai, China; Shanghai Research Center of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Shanghai, China
Yiyong Xian: Department of Ophthalmology, EYE & ENT Hospital of Fudan University Shanghai, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Myopia (Fudan University), Shanghai, China; Shanghai Research Center of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Shanghai, China
Kunxi Zhang: Department of Polymer Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China; Corresponding author.
Yong He: State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China; Corresponding author.
Xingtao Zhou: Department of Ophthalmology, EYE & ENT Hospital of Fudan University Shanghai, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Myopia (Fudan University), Shanghai, China; Shanghai Research Center of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Shanghai, China; Corresponding author. Department of Ophthalmology, EYE & ENT Hospital of Fudan University Shanghai, China.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 25
pp. 333 – 346

Abstract

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Corneal transplantation is an effective clinical treatment for corneal diseases, which, however, is limited by donor corneas. It is of great clinical value to develop bioadhesive corneal patches with functions of “Transparency” and “Epithelium & Stroma generation”, as well as “Suturelessness” and “Toughness”. To simultaneously meet the “T.E.S.T.” requirements, a light-curable hydrogel is designed based on methacryloylated gelatin (GelMA), Pluronic F127 diacrylate (F127DA) & Aldehyded Pluronic F127 (AF127) co-assembled bi-functional micelles and collagen type I (COL I), combined with clinically applied corneal cross-linking (CXL) technology for repairing damaged cornea. The patch formed after 5 min of ultraviolet irradiation possesses transparent, highly tough, and strongly bio-adhesive performance. Multiple cross-linking makes the patch withstand deformation near 600% and exhibit a burst pressure larger than 400 mmHg, significantly higher than normal intraocular pressure (10–21 mmHg). Besides, the slower degradation than GelMA-F127DA&AF127 hydrogel without COL I makes hydrogel patch stable on stromal beds in vivo, supporting the regrowth of corneal epithelium and stroma. The hydrogel patch can replace deep corneal stromal defects and well bio-integrate into the corneal tissue in rabbit models within 4 weeks, showing great potential in surgeries for keratoconus and other corneal diseases by combining with CXL.

Published in Bioactive Materials

ISSN: 2452-199X (Online)
Publisher: KeAi Communications Co., Ltd.
Country of publisher: China
LCC subjects: Technology: Electrical engineering. Electronics. Nuclear engineering: Materials of engineering and construction. Mechanics of materials; Science: Biology (General)
Website: https://www.keaipublishing.com/en/journals/bioactive-materials/

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