Biomaterials that mimic corneal stroma could decrease the need for donor corneal tissue and could decrease the prevalence of complications associated with corneal transplantation, including infection and rejection. We developed a bio-orthogonally crosslinked hyaluronate-collagen hydrogel which can fill corneal defects in situ without the need for any sutures, initiators, or catalysts. We studied the effects of biorthogonal crosslinking on the light transmittance of the hydrogel, which was greater than 97% water. The transmittance of the optimized hydrogel in the visible light range was over 94%. We also investigated the mechanical properties, refractive index, morphology, biocompatibility, and corneal re-epithelialization capacity of the hyaluronate-collagen hydrogel. Our in vitro, in vivo, and ex vivo results demonstrated that this bio-orthogonally crosslinked hyaluronate-collagen hydrogel has excellent potential as a biomaterial for cornea repair and regeneration.

模仿角膜基质的生物材料可以减少对供体角膜组织的需求，并可以降低与角膜移植相关的并发症的发生率，包括感染和排斥。我们开发了一种生物正交交联的透明质酸-胶原蛋白水凝胶，可以原位填充角膜缺损，无需任何缝线、引发剂或催化剂。我们研究了双正交交联对水凝胶透光率的影响，水凝胶的透光率大于 97% 水。优化后的水凝胶在可见光范围内的透过率超过94%。我们还研究了透明质酸胶原水凝胶的机械性能、折射率、形态、生物相容性和角膜再上皮化能力。我们的体外、体内和离体结果表明，这种生物正交交联的透明质酸-胶原蛋白水凝胶具有作为角膜修复和再生的生物材料的巨大潜力。