Adhesive gel promotes Regeneration after injury of the cornea
A newly developed adhesive gel could be used to reduce the skin in the future, the need for eye surgery in injuries of the cornea, including the cases in which usually a corneal transplant skin would be required.
In a recent investigation of a kind of adhesive gel was developed, which could revolutionize the repair of injuries of the cornea. The results of the study were published in the English journal “Science Advances”.
Gel supports the Regeneration of corneal tissue
A light-activated materials filled adhesive gel can skin cuts or ulcers on the cornea (the clear surface of the eye) to seal, and then the Regeneration of corneal tissue promote. The new Gel for corneal regeneration is wearing GelCORE, the name. The researchers a clear, strong adhesive to create the Material, the skin does not allow the horn to close the Defect, but also to refresh even wanted to.
Visual disturbances often occur due to injury of the cornea
Corneal injuries are a common cause of visual impairment. Each year, more than 1.5 million cases of so-called corneal blindness reported. At the time of injury of cornea to be treated skin, by the use of synthetic adhesives or surgical interventions. The currently available synthetic adhesives, however, are quite rough, to have, by nature, toxic to the tissue, difficult to handle and can lead to due to the opacity of the material and of the poor Integration in the horn tissue of the skin to a significant vision loss. Also corneal grafts carry the risk of complications after transplant, including infection or rejection.
GelCORE takes on biomechanical properties of cornea
The Team developed the adhesive Biomaterial GelCORE from chemically modified gelatin and photo-initiators, which are activated by short term exposure to blue light. The Gel is initially a clear, viscous Material which hardens with exposure to light. The Material of the biomechanical adopts properties of a natural cornea. In the course of time, the so-called Corneal cells grow gradually in this Material and become one with this. Therefore, GelCORE, the natural cornea is similar. GelCORE is highly transparent, binds to the native tissue and supports cell and tissue regeneration. Similar adhesive technologies for lung and other eye defects developed, but GelCORE used for the first time, a visible blue light as opposed to ultraviolet light, the health are harmful. This is not the case of blue light.
How to work the Gel in to Try?
In a pre-clinical model of corneal injury, the researchers applied GelCORE in a concentration of 20 percent to horn defects of three millimeters in diameter skin and expose the Gel is then for four minutes visible blue light. Immediately after exposure, they observed a firm adhesion of the gel to the corneal defect. A day later, a transparent, smooth ocular surface with a surrounding cornea, which was clear and without inflammation. A week after the Application of the Gel could be observed still at the defect site in the cornea remained transparent. In the course of time, the tissue showing signs of Regeneration, where the cells of the new tissue showed Similarities between the regenerated tissue and native tissue.
Further research is needed
The properties of GelCORE can be regulated by varying the concentration and the light exposure time. This offers the possibility of application for various types and severities of injury to the eyes. The researchers hope soon to be able to clinical studies to begin testing the technology in about a year in human patients. (as)