Composite synthetic protein hydrogel for inhibition of corneal fibrosis and treatment of corneal wounds.

Corneal fibrosis, a severe complication linked to ocular injuries and post-surgery, lacks effective treatment. Hydrogels are regarded as one of the most promising biomaterials, particularly in the context of corneal wound treatment, where they have attracted considerable attention. Synthetic protein hydrogels are of particular interest due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, capacity to mitigate induced tissue inflammatory responses, and their editable and modular integrative properties. Accordingly, the present study was designed to create a mechanically stable 4XT recombinant protein based on the mechanism of corneal fibrosis. A bio-synthetic protein gel scaffold incorporating cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeONs) with reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging capabilities and siRNA that inhibits transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) protein expression was constructed using 4XT as a matrix. This resulted in a composite synthetic protein hydrogel treatment system. This system is capable of achieving in situ curing in the corneal defect area, effectively promoting the repair of corneal wounds in mice while also inhibiting the progression of corneal fibrosis. By combining the programmability and controllability of synthetic protein hydrogels with therapeutic approaches targeting wound mechanisms, it is possible to achieve scarless healing of corneal wounds, thereby providing valuable insights for wound management.