Extracellular matrix-based sticky sealants for scar-free corneal tissue reconstruction

Regenerative medicine requires both tissue restoration and ease of compliance for clinical application. Considering this, sticky tissue sealants have been shown to have great potentials over surgical suturing and wound treatment. However, tissue sealants currently used pose challenges such as uncontrollable adhesion formation, mechanical mismatch, and lack of tissue restoration. A new sticky sealant based on gelatinized cornea-derived extracellular matrix (GelCodE) with a visible light-activating system is firstly being introduced in this study. De novo tissue regeneration relies on the matrisome in charge of tissue-organization and development within GelCodE while visible light-based photopolymerization with ruthenium/sodium persulfate rapidly induces covalent bonds with the adjacent tissues. The ease of not only in vivo application, biocompatibility, and biointegration, but also exceptional de novo tissue formation is demonstrated in this study. Interestingly, newly regenerated tissues were shown to have normal tissue-like matrices with little scar formation. Hence, this work presents a promising strategy to meet clinical demands for scar-free tissue recovery with superior ease of clinical application.

Automated summary

Sticky tissue sealants based on gelatinized cornea-derived extracellular matrix (GelCodE) show promise for tissue restoration and clinical application due to their ability to induce de novo tissue regeneration and form covalent bonds with adjacent tissues. This study demonstrates the ease of in vivo application, biocompatibility, biointegration, and exceptional de novo tissue formation of GelCodE sealant. Additionally, the newly regenerated tissues exhibit normal tissue-like matrices with minimal scar formation, presenting a promising strategy for scar-free tissue recovery in clinical settings.