Yang Mei, Chen Xin, Chen Zhongxing, Zhao Nan, Zeng Zhenhai, Huang Xiaomin, Li Zheng, Li Jiawei, Zhao Guoli, Deng Manli, Zou Zhilin, Pan Hongxian, Chen Aodong, Chen Tingting, Wu Yue, Fu Xueyu, Saiding Qimanguli, Kong Na, Tao Wei, Zhou Xingtao, Huang Jinhai
Eye Institute and Department of Ophthalmology, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, NHC Key laboratory of Myopia and Related Eye Diseases, Key Laboratory of Myopia and Related Eye Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shanghai Research Center of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Shanghai, China.
School of Ophthalmology and Optometry and Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.
Sci Adv. 2025 Jul 25;11(30):eadt8775. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adt8775.
Oxidative stress, an imbalance between the body's oxidative and antioxidant systems, contributes markedly to the development of numerous ocular surface diseases, particularly dry eye disease (DED). Effective elimination or reduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) can halt disease progression and alleviate symptoms. This study presents an innovative thermoresponsive, metal-free carbon nanodot (CD) hydrogel, termed F-CD hydrogel, which exhibits potent neutralization capabilities against multiple free radicals, including OH·, O·, and ·DPPH. This hydrogel demonstrates remarkable antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic capacity, effectively relieving DED symptoms by eliminating ROS at their source. Furthermore, its thermosensitive characteristics enhance the adherence of CDs to the ocular surface. In mouse models of DED, the F-CD hydrogel accelerates epithelial repair, thickens the corneal epithelium, promotes tear secretion, and boosts goblet cell count by up-regulating protective genes while suppressing those promoting apoptosis and oxidative stress. Coupled with its excellent biocompatibility and reduced administration frequency and treatment duration, the F-CD hydrogel emerges as a promising therapeutic approach for DED.
氧化应激是人体氧化系统与抗氧化系统之间的失衡状态，它在众多眼表疾病尤其是干眼病（DED）的发展过程中起着显著作用。有效消除或减少活性氧（ROS）可阻止疾病进展并缓解症状。本研究提出了一种创新的热响应性、无金属碳纳米点（CD）水凝胶，称为F-CD水凝胶，它对多种自由基，包括OH·、O·和·DPPH，具有强大的中和能力。这种水凝胶具有显著的抗氧化、抗炎和抗凋亡能力，通过从源头上消除ROS有效缓解DED症状。此外，其热敏特性增强了CD对眼表的粘附性。在DED小鼠模型中，F-CD水凝胶通过上调保护基因同时抑制那些促进凋亡和氧化应激的基因，加速上皮修复、增厚角膜上皮、促进泪液分泌并增加杯状细胞数量。再加上其优异的生物相容性以及减少的给药频率和治疗持续时间，F-CD水凝胶成为一种有前景的DED治疗方法。
