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Oriented cellulose hydrogel: Directed tissue regeneration for reducing corneal leukoplakia and managing fungal corneal ulcers
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Oriented cellulose hydrogel: Directed tissue regeneration for reducing corneal leukoplakia and managing fungal corneal ulcers

Lina Dong, Zixin Fan, Bixing Fang, Xiaoyu Zhao, Hongyi Yao, Gangpei Cai, Shuo Yang, Guoming Zhang, Xiaoqi Cheng, Yun Feng, …
Bioactive materials, v 41, pp 15-29
01 Nov 2024
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bioactmat.2024.07.008
PMID: 39101028
Featured in Collection :   UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
url
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bioactmat.2024.07.008View
Published, Version of Record (VoR) Open

Abstract

Cellulose hydrogel Corneal leukoplakia Fungal corneal ulcers Nanozyme Oriented tissue regeneration
Fungal corneal ulcer is one of the leading causes of corneal blindness in developing countries. Corneal scars such as leukoplakia are formed due to inflammation, oxidative stress and non-directed repair, which seriously affect the patients' subsequent visual and life quality. In this study, drawing inspiration from the oriented structure of collagen fibers within the corneal stroma, we first proposed the directional arrangement of CuTA-CMHT hydrogel system at micro and macro scales based on the 3D printing extrusion method combined with secondary patterning. It played an antifungal role and induced oriented repair in therapy of fungal corneal ulcer. The results showed that it effectively inhibited Candida albicans, Aspergillus Niger, Fusarium sapropelum, which mainly affects TNF, NF-kappa B, and HIF-1 signaling pathways, achieving effective antifungal functions. More importantly, the fibroblasts interacted with extracellular matrix (ECM) of corneal stroma through formation of focal adhesions, promoted the proliferation and directional migration of cells in vitro, induced the directional alignment of collagen fibers and corneal stromal orthogonally oriented repair in vivo. This process is mainly associated with MYLK, MYL9, and ITGA3 molecules. Furthermore, the downregulation the growth factors TGF-β and PDGF-β inhibits myofibroblast development and reduces scar-type ECM production, thereby reducing corneal leukoplakia. It also activates the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway, promoting corneal healing. In conclusion, the oriented CuTA-CMHT hydrogel system mimics the orthogonal arrangement of collagen fibers, inhibits inflammation, eliminates reactive oxygen species, and reduces corneal leukoplakia, which is of great significance in the treatment of fungal corneal ulcer and is expected to write a new chapter in corneal tissue engineering. The oriented CuTA-CMHT hydrogel system mimics the orthogonal arrangement of collagen fibers, inhibits inflammation, eliminates reactive oxygen species, and reduces corneal leukoplakia. [Display omitted] •Hydrogel for Corneal Repair: Developed a cellulose hydrogel with aligned fibers to guide cell growth, ideal for corneal tissue repair.•Stromal Layer Healing: Mimics corneal collagen alignment, enhancing directional repair and reducing leukoplakia.•Antifungal Hydrogel: Integrates CuTA nano-enzyme to fight fungal infections and reduce oxidative stress in fungal keratitis.•Healing Mechanisms: Explores collagen mimicry, inflammation control, ROS elimination, and leukoplakia reduction via signaling pathways.

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UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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#3 Good Health and Well-Being

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Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
International collaboration
Web of Science research areas
Engineering, Biomedical
Materials Science, Biomaterials
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