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

• DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2023.02.006
• Publication Date: 2023-02-11T22:16:52Z
• Authors: Meiyan Li; Ruoyan Wei; Chang Liu; Haowei Fang; Weiming Yang; Yunzhe Wang; Yiyong Xian; Kunxi Zhang; Yong He; Xingtao Zhou
• Keywords: Bioadhesives; 0301 basic medicine; QH301-705.5; Tough hydrogel; Sutureless repair; CXL; 02 engineering and technology; Article; 03 medical and health sciences; TA401-492; Corneal patch; Biology (General); 0210 nano-technology; Materials of engineering and construction. Mechanics of materials

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