Dopamine-based high-transparent hydrogel as bioadhesive for sutureless ocular tissue repair

Abstract

Ocular injuries and their complications represent the most common causes of visual impairment. For ocular surgery, there is an unmet need for highly transparent bioadhesives with superior adhesion, biocompatibility, and regenerative properties. Herein, a novel high‐transparent bioadhesive hydrogel composed of gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) and dopamine methacrylamide (DMA) is developed by in situ oxidative free‐radical polymerization. This bioadhesive hydrogel overcomes the fundamental weakness of mussel‐inspired adhesive copolymers in clinical practice by combining multiple favorable properties, including high light transmission, mechanical strength, adhesive strength, and biocompatibility. DMA significantly enhances corneal epithelial cells adhesion, proliferation, and migration on GelMA, and prevents the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in corneal epithelial cells. In rabbit models of corneal and conjunctiva transplantation, the bioadhesive is able to decrease the inflammatory response and fibrosis formation induced by suture surgical trauma. In addition, the rabbit corneal stromal defect model reveals that the Gel/DMA bioadhesive could effectively seal corneal defects, accelerates corneal re‐epithelialization, and promotes wound healing. Thus, given the advantages of high bioactivity and simple preparation, the Gel/DMA bioadhesive represents a promising strategy for suture‐free ocular repair.