Development of self-healing hydrogels to support choroidal endothelial cell transplantation for the treatment of early age related macular degeneration.

ABSTRACT: In retinal diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and choroideremia, a key pathophysiologic step is loss of endothelial cells of the choriocapillaris. Repopulation of choroidal vasculature early in the disease process may halt disease progression. Prior studies have shown that injection of donor cells in suspension results in significant cellular efflux and poor cell survival. As such, the goal of this study was to develop a hydrogel system designed to support choroidal endothelial cell transplantation. A library of hydrogels was synthesized using laminin (i.e., LN111, LN121, and LN421), carboxy methyl chitosan, and oxidized dextran via reversible Schiff base chemistry. Each of the developed self-healing hydrogels was readily injectable into the suprachoroidal space, with

SUBMITTER: Pandala NG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11867867 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature