FXa-Responsive Hydrogels to Craft Corneal Endothelial Lamellae

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Mikhail V. Tsurkan - , Max Bergmann Center of Biomaterials Dresden, TissueGUARD GmbH (Author)
  • Juliane Bessert - , Max Bergmann Center of Biomaterials Dresden, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus (Author)
  • Rabea Selzer - , Max Bergmann Center of Biomaterials Dresden (Author)
  • Sarah D. Tsurkan - , Else Kröner Fresenius Center for Digital Health, TissueGUARD GmbH, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden (Author)
  • Dagmar Pette - , Max Bergmann Center of Biomaterials Dresden (Author)
  • Manfred F. Maitz - , Max Bergmann Center of Biomaterials Dresden (Author)
  • Petra B. Welzel - , Max Bergmann Center of Biomaterials Dresden (Author)
  • Carsten Werner - , Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Max Bergmann Center of Biomaterials Dresden (Author)

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

Original languageEnglish
Article number2402593
Number of pages8
JournalAdvanced healthcare materials
Volume14 (2025)
Issue number10
Early online date22 Jan 2025
Publication statusPublished - 15 Apr 2025
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

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

Keywords

Keywords

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