1
|
Wu KY, Akbar D, Giunta M, Kalevar A, Tran SD. Hydrogels in Ophthalmology: Novel Strategies for Overcoming Therapeutic Challenges. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 17:86. [PMID: 38203940 PMCID: PMC10780040 DOI: 10.3390/ma17010086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
The human eye's intricate anatomical and physiological design necessitates tailored approaches for managing ocular diseases. Recent advancements in ophthalmology underscore the potential of hydrogels as a versatile therapeutic tool, owing to their biocompatibility, adaptability, and customizability. This review offers an exploration of hydrogel applications in ophthalmology over the past five years. Emphasis is placed on their role in optimized drug delivery for the posterior segment and advancements in intraocular lens technology. Hydrogels demonstrate the capacity for targeted, controlled, and sustained drug release in the posterior segment of the eye, potentially minimizing invasive interventions and enhancing patient outcomes. Furthermore, in intraocular lens domains, hydrogels showcase potential in post-operative drug delivery, disease sensing, and improved biocompatibility. However, while their promise is immense, most hydrogel-based studies remain preclinical, necessitating rigorous clinical evaluations. Patient-specific factors, potential complications, and the current nascent stage of research should inform their clinical application. In essence, the incorporation of hydrogels into ocular therapeutics represents a seminal convergence of material science and medicine, heralding advancements in patient-centric care within ophthalmology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Y. Wu
- Department of Surgery, Division of Ophthalmology, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1G 2E8, Canada; (K.Y.W.)
| | - Dania Akbar
- Department of Human Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A1, Canada
| | - Michel Giunta
- Department of Surgery, Division of Ophthalmology, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1G 2E8, Canada; (K.Y.W.)
| | - Ananda Kalevar
- Department of Surgery, Division of Ophthalmology, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1G 2E8, Canada; (K.Y.W.)
| | - Simon D. Tran
- Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 1G1, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Fernandes-Cunha GM, Brunel LG, Arboleda A, Manche A, Seo YA, Logan C, Chen F, Heilshorn SC, Myung D. Collagen Gels Crosslinked by Photoactivation of Riboflavin for the Repair and Regeneration of Corneal Defects. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2023; 6:1787-1797. [PMID: 37126648 PMCID: PMC10788120 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.3c00015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Bioengineered corneal tissue is a promising therapeutic modality for the treatment of corneal blindness as a substitute for cadaveric graft tissue. In this study, we fabricated a collagen gel using ultraviolet-A (UV-A) light and riboflavin as a photosensitizer (PhotoCol-RB) as an in situ-forming matrix to fill corneal wounds and create a cohesive interface between the crosslinked gel and adjacent collagen. The PhotoCol-RB gels supported corneal epithelialization and exhibited higher transparency compared to physically crosslinked collagen. We showed that different riboflavin concentrations yielded gels with different mechanical and biological properties. In vitro experiments using human corneal epithelial cells (hCECs) showed that hCECs are able to proliferate on the gel and express corneal cell markers such as cytokeratin 12 (CK12) and tight junctions (ZO-1). Using an ex vivo burst assay, we also showed that the PhotoCol-RB gels are able to seal corneal perforations. Ex vivo organ culture of the gels filling lamellar keratectomy wounds showed that the epithelium that regenerated over the PhotoCol-RB gels formed a multilayer compared to just a double layer for those that grew over physically cross-linked collagen. These gels can be formed either in situ directly on the wound site to conform to the geometry of a defect, or can be preformed and then applied to the corneal wound. Our results indicate that PhotoCol-RB gels merit further investigation as a way to stabilize and repair deep and perforating corneal wounds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Lucia G Brunel
- Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Alejandro Arboleda
- Ophthalmology, Byers Eye Institute at Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California 94303, United States
| | - Alyssa Manche
- Ophthalmology, Byers Eye Institute at Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California 94303, United States
| | - Youngyoon Amy Seo
- Ophthalmology, Byers Eye Institute at Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California 94303, United States
| | - Caitlin Logan
- Ophthalmology, Byers Eye Institute at Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California 94303, United States
| | - Fang Chen
- Ophthalmology, Byers Eye Institute at Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California 94303, United States
| | - Sarah C Heilshorn
- Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - David Myung
- Ophthalmology, Byers Eye Institute at Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California 94303, United States
- Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
- VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California 94303, United States
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Abstract
Despite rigorous investigations, the hydrogels currently available to replace damaged tissues, such as the cornea, cannot fulfill mechanical and structural requirements and, more importantly, cannot be sutured into host tissues due to the lack of hierarchical structures to dissipate exerted stress. In this report, solution electrospinning of polycaprolactone (PCL), protein-based hydrogel perfusion, and layer-by-layer stacking are used to generate a hydrogel-microfiber composite with varying PCL fiber diameters and hydrogel concentrations. Integrating PCL microfibers into the hydrogel synergistically improves the mechanical properties and suturability of the construct up to 10-fold and 50-fold, respectively, compared to the hydrogel and microfiber scaffolds alone, approaching those of the corneal tissue. Human corneal cells cultured on composites are viable and can spread, proliferate, and retain phenotypic characteristics. Moreover, corneal stromal cells migrate into the scaffold, degrade it, and regenerate the extracellular matrix. The current hydrogel reinforcing system paves the way for producing suturable and, therefore, transplantable tissue constructs with desired mechanical properties.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sina Sharifi
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, 20 Staniford Street, Boston, Massachusetts02114, United States
| | - Hannah Sharifi
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, 20 Staniford Street, Boston, Massachusetts02114, United States
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Islam MM, Chivu A, AbuSamra DB, Saha A, Chowdhuri S, Pramanik B, Dohlman CH, Das D, Argüeso P, Rajaiya J, Patra HK, Chodosh J. Crosslinker-free collagen gelation for corneal regeneration. Sci Rep 2022; 12:9108. [PMID: 35650270 PMCID: PMC9160259 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-13146-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Development of an artificial cornea can potentially fulfil the demand of donor corneas for transplantation as the number of donors is far less than needed to treat corneal blindness. Collagen-based artificial corneas stand out as a regenerative option, having promising clinical outcomes. Collagen crosslinked with chemical crosslinkers which modify the parent functional groups of collagen. However, crosslinkers are usually cytotoxic, so crosslinkers need to be removed from implants completely before application in humans. In addition, crosslinked products are mechanically weak and susceptible to enzymatic degradation. We developed a crosslinker free supramolecular gelation strategy using pyrene conjugated dipeptide amphiphile (PyKC) consisting of lysine and cysteine; in which collagen molecules are intertwined inside the PyKC network without any functional group modification of the collagen. The newly developed collagen implants (Coll-PyKC) are optically transparent and can effectively block UV light, are mechanically and enzymatically stable, and can be sutured. The Coll-PyKC implants support the growth and function of all corneal cells, trigger anti-inflammatory differentiation while suppressing the pro-inflammatory differentiation of human monocytes. Coll-PyKC implants can restrict human adenovirus propagation. Therefore, this crosslinker-free strategy can be used for the repair, healing, and regeneration of the cornea, and potentially other damaged organs of the body.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Mirazul Islam
- Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Alexandru Chivu
- Department of Surgical Biotechnology, University College London, London, NW3 2PF, UK
| | - Dina B AbuSamra
- Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Amrita Saha
- Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Sumit Chowdhuri
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam, 781039, India
| | - Bapan Pramanik
- Department of Chemistry, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Be'er Sheva, Israel
| | - Claes H Dohlman
- Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Debapratim Das
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam, 781039, India
| | - Pablo Argüeso
- Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Jaya Rajaiya
- Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Hirak K Patra
- Department of Surgical Biotechnology, University College London, London, NW3 2PF, UK.
| | - James Chodosh
- Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Kong MS, Koh WG, Lee HJ. Controlled Release of Epidermal Growth Factor from Furfuryl-Gelatin Hydrogel Using in Situ Visible Light-Induced Crosslinking and Its Effects on Fibroblasts Proliferation and Migration. Gels 2022; 8:gels8040214. [PMID: 35448115 PMCID: PMC9032874 DOI: 10.3390/gels8040214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hydrogels are widely used in tissue engineering as materials that regulate cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation. They also act as promising biomaterials that can provide a variety of stimuli by influencing the surrounding microenvironment, which can be achieved by modulating their mechanical properties, thereby aiding soluble factor delivery. Here, we developed a gelatin-based injectable hydrogel that has controllable mechanical properties and demonstrates sustained drug release without the need for invasive surgery. Gelatin was modified with furfuryl groups, and riboflavin phosphate was used as a photoinitiator to crosslink the hydrogel using visible light. A hydrogel–with a storage modulus in the range of 0.2–15 kPa was formed by maintaining the concentration of furfuryl-gelatin within 10–30% w/v. Consequently, their mechanical properties can be tailored for their applications. The furfuryl-gelatin hydrogel was loaded with maleimide-modified epidermal growth factor (EGF) as a model drug to achieve a controlled-release system. The sustained release of maleimide-EGF due to gelatin hydrogel matrix degradation was observed. Cell proliferation and scratch assays were performed to verify its effect on fibroblasts. When EGF was physically entrapped in the hydrogel matrix, the released EGF considerably affected cell proliferation and scratch closure of fibroblasts at the beginning of the culture. By contrast, maleimide-EGF was released sustainably and steadily and affected cell proliferation and scratch closure after the initial stage. We demonstrated that the release of soluble factors could be controlled by modulating the mechanical properties. Thus, the injectable hydrogel formed by in situ visible light-induced crosslinking could be a promising biomaterial for tissue engineering and biomedical therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Min Sun Kong
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Gachon University, 1342 Seongnam-daero, Seongnam-si 13120, Korea;
| | - Won-Gun Koh
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Korea
- Correspondence: (W.-G.K.); (H.J.L.)
| | - Hyun Jong Lee
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Gachon University, 1342 Seongnam-daero, Seongnam-si 13120, Korea;
- Correspondence: (W.-G.K.); (H.J.L.)
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Sharifi S, Sharifi H, Akbari A, Chodosh J. Systematic optimization of visible light-induced crosslinking conditions of gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA). Sci Rep 2021; 11:23276. [PMID: 34857867 PMCID: PMC8640009 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-02830-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) is one of the most widely used photo-crosslinkable biopolymers in tissue engineering. In in presence of an appropriate photoinitiator, the light activation triggers the crosslinking process, which provides shape fidelity and stability at physiological temperature. Although ultraviolet (UV) has been extensively explored for photo-crosslinking, its application has been linked to numerous biosafety concerns, originated from UV phototoxicity. Eosin Y, in combination with TEOA and VC, is a biosafe photoinitiation system that can be activated via visible light instead of UV and bypasses those biosafety concerns; however, the crosslinking system needs fine-tuning and optimization. In order to systematically optimize the crosslinking conditions, we herein independently varied the concentrations of Eosin Y [(EY)], triethanolamine (TEOA), vinyl caprolactam (VC), GelMA precursor, and crosslinking times and assessed the effect of those parameters on the properties the hydrogel. Our data showed that except EY, which exhibited an optimal concentration (~ 0.05 mM), increasing [TEOA], [VA], [GelMA], or crosslinking time improved mechanical (tensile strength/modulus and compressive modulus), adhesion (lap shear strength), swelling, biodegradation properties of the hydrogel. However, increasing the concentrations of crosslinking reagents ([TEOA], [VA], [GelMA]) reduced cell viability in 3-dimensional (3D) cell culture. This study enabled us to optimize the crosslinking conditions to improve the properties of the GelMA hydrogel and to generate a library of hydrogels with defined properties essential for different biomedical applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sina Sharifi
- Disruptive Technology Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Schepens Eye Research Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Hannah Sharifi
- Disruptive Technology Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Schepens Eye Research Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ali Akbari
- Solid Tumor Research Center, Research Institute for Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - James Chodosh
- Disruptive Technology Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Schepens Eye Research Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Sharifi S, Sharifi H, Akbari A, Dohlman CH, Paschalis EI, Gonzalez-Andrades M, Kong J, Chodosh J. Graphene-Lined Porous Gelatin Glycidyl Methacrylate Hydrogels: Implications for Tissue Engineering. ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS 2021; 4:12650-12662. [PMID: 35252778 PMCID: PMC8897984 DOI: 10.1021/acsanm.1c03201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Despite rigorous research, inferior mechanical properties and structural homogeneity are the main challenges constraining hydrogel's suturability to host tissue and limiting its clinical applications. To tackle those, we developed a reverse solvent interface trapping method, in which organized, graphene-coated microspherical cavities were introduced into a hydrogel to create heterogeneity and make it suturable. To generate those cavities, (i) graphite exfoliates to graphene sheets, which spread at the water/ heptane interfaces of the microemulsion, (ii) heptane fills the microspheres coated by graphene, and (iii) a cross-linkable hydrogel dissolved in water fills the voids. Cross-linking solidifies such microemulsion to a strong, suturable, permanent hybrid architecture, which has better mechanical properties, yet it is biocompatible and supports cell adhesion and proliferation. These properties along with the ease and biosafety of fabrication suggest the potential of this strategy to enhance tissue engineering outcomes by generating various suturable scaffolds for biomedical applications, such as donor cornea carriers for Boston keratoprosthesis (BK).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sina Sharifi
- Disruptive Technology Laboratory, Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Schepens Eye Research Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, United States
| | - Hannah Sharifi
- Disruptive Technology Laboratory, Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Schepens Eye Research Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, United States
| | - Ali Akbari
- Solid Tumor Research Center, Research Institute for Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia 57147, Iran
| | - Claes H Dohlman
- Disruptive Technology Laboratory, Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Schepens Eye Research Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, United States
| | - Eleftherios I Paschalis
- Disruptive Technology Laboratory, Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Schepens Eye Research Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, United States
| | - Miguel Gonzalez-Andrades
- Disruptive Technology Laboratory, Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Schepens Eye Research Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, United States; Maimonides Biomedical Research Institute of Cordoba (IMIBIC), Department of Ophthalmology, Reina Sofia University Hospital and University of Cordoba, Cordoba 14004, Spain
| | - Jing Kong
- Department of Electrical Engineering andComputer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology,Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - James Chodosh
- Disruptive Technology Laboratory, Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Schepens Eye Research Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, United States
| |
Collapse
|