Modified gellan gum-based hydrogel with enhanced mechanical properties for application as a cell carrier for cornea endothelial cells

Recently, the number of people suffering from visual loss due to eye diseases is increasing rapidly around the world. However, due to the severe donor shortage and the immune response, corneal replacement is needed. Gellan gum (GG) is biocompatible and widely used for cell delivery or drug delivery, but its strength is not suitable for the corneal substitute. In this study, a GM hydrogel was prepared by blending methacrylated gellan gum with GG (GM) to give suitable mechanical properties to the corneal tissue. In addition, lithium phenyl-2,4,6-trimethylbenzoylphosphinate (LAP), a crosslinking initiator, was added to the GM hydrogel. After the photo-crosslinking treatment, it was named GM/LAP hydrogel. GM and GM/LAP hydrogels were analyzed for physi-cochemical properties, mechanical characterization, and transparency tests to confirm their applicability as carriers for corneal endothelial cells (CEnCs). Also, in vitro studies were performed with cell viability tests, cell proliferation tests, cell morphology, cell-matrix remodeling analysis, and gene expression evaluation. The compressive strength of the GM/LAP hydrogel was improved compared to the GM hydrogel. The GM/LAP hydrogel showed excellent cell viability, proliferation, and cornea-specific gene expression than the GM hydrogel. Crosslinking-improved GM/LAP hydrogel can be applied as a promising cell carrier in corneal tissue engineering.

Automated summary

The increasing number of individuals suffering from visual loss due to eye diseases has led to a need for corneal replacement. However, the shortage of donors and immune responses pose challenges. This study developed a GM/LAP hydrogel by blending methacrylated gellan gum (GM) with gellan gum (GG) and adding a crosslinking initiator (LAP). The GM/LAP hydrogel showed improved compressive strength and better cell viability, proliferation, and gene expression compared to the GM hydrogel, making it a promising candidate for corneal tissue engineering.