Injectable taurine-loaded alginate hydrogels for retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) regeneration

Publication date: October 2019Source: Materials Science and Engineering: C, Volume 103Author(s): Eun Yeong Shin, Jong Ho Park, Myeong Eun Shin, Jeong Eun Song, Muthukumar Thangavelu, Cristiano Carlomagno, Antonella Motta, Claudio Migliaresi, Gilson KhangAbstractThe purpose of this study is to produce injectable taurine (Tr)-loaded alginate (Agn) hydrogel for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) treatment by inducing the regeneration of RPE (retinal pigment epithelium) cells. Porosity and swelling ratio were measured to evaluate the mechanical properties of the hydrogels, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to evaluate the physical and chemical properties. RPE cells extracted from the pigmented epithelium of rabbits were encapsulated in the Tr/Agn hydrogels. Cells proliferation and migration were improved in Tr/Agn hydrogels with an enhanced expression of RPE-specific genes including RPE65, CRALBP, NPR-A, MITF and collagen type I and II. In vivo tests demonstrated the excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability without inflammatory response by the host when implanted with the hydrogel. Moreover, when the Tr/Agn hydrogels were injected into the sub-retinal space, high adhesion of RPE cells and retinal regeneration were confirmed. These results demonstrated a potential role of injectable Tr/Agn hydrogels as potential therapeutic tools for the treatment of retinal diseases, including AMD.
Source: Materials Science and Engineering: C - Category: Materials Science Source Type: research