FXa-Responsive Hydrogels to Craft Corneal Endothelial Lamellae

Publikation: Beitrag in FachzeitschriftForschungsartikelBeigetragenBegutachtung

Beitragende

  • Mikhail V. Tsurkan - , Max Bergmann Zentrum für Biomaterialien Dresden (MBZ), TissueGUARD GmbH (Autor:in)
  • Juliane Bessert - , Max Bergmann Zentrum für Biomaterialien Dresden (MBZ), Medizinische Fakultät Carl Gustav Carus Dresden (Autor:in)
  • Rabea Selzer - , Max Bergmann Zentrum für Biomaterialien Dresden (MBZ) (Autor:in)
  • Sarah D. Tsurkan - , Else Kröner Fresenius Zentrum für Digitale Gesundheit, TissueGUARD GmbH, Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus Dresden (Autor:in)
  • Dagmar Pette - , Max Bergmann Zentrum für Biomaterialien Dresden (MBZ) (Autor:in)
  • Manfred F. Maitz - , Max Bergmann Zentrum für Biomaterialien Dresden (MBZ) (Autor:in)
  • Petra B. Welzel - , Max Bergmann Zentrum für Biomaterialien Dresden (MBZ) (Autor:in)
  • Carsten Werner - , Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), Max Bergmann Zentrum für Biomaterialien Dresden (MBZ) (Autor:in)

Abstract

Cell-instructive polymer hydrogels are instrumental in tissue engineering for regenerative therapies. Implementing defined and selective responsiveness to external stimuli is a persisting challenge that critically restricts their functionality. Addressing this challenge, this study introduces a versatile, modular hydrogel system composed of four-arm poly(ethylene glycol)(starPEG)-peptide and glycosaminoglycan(GAG)-maleimide conjugates. The gel system features a small peptide sequence that is selectively cleaved by the coagulation factor FXa. In a cell culture environment, where active FXa is absent, the hydrogel remains stable, providing a conducive matrix for the growth of complex tissue structures or organoids. Upon the introduction of FXa, the hydrogel is designed to disintegrate rapidly, enabling the gentle release of the cultivated tissues without impairing their functionality. The efficacy of this approach is demonstrated through the ex vivo development, detachment, and transplantation of human corneal endothelial lamellae, achieving sizes relevant for clinical application in Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK). Furthermore, the practicality of the hydrogel system is validated in vitro using a de-endothelialized porcine cornea as a surrogate recipient. Since the FXa-cleavable peptide can be integrated into a variety of multifunctional hydrogels, it can pave the way for next-generation scaffold-free tissue engineering and organoid regenerative therapies.

Details

OriginalspracheEnglisch
Aufsatznummer2402593
Seitenumfang8
FachzeitschriftAdvanced healthcare materials
Jahrgang14 (2025)
Ausgabenummer10
Frühes Online-Datum22 Jan. 2025
PublikationsstatusVeröffentlicht - 15 Apr. 2025
Peer-Review-StatusJa

Externe IDs

ORCID /0000-0003-0189-3448/work/181858866

Schlagworte

Schlagwörter

  • biorthogonal, corneal endothelial lamellae, hydrogel, stimuli-responsive hydrogel, tissue engineering