Cryomicroneedle Loading With Mesenchymal Stem Cell Exosomes For Corneal Nerve Repairing
Published 2025 - 43rd Congress of the ESCRS
Reference: FP11.05 | Type: Free paper | DOI: 10.82333/dvvn-n871
Authors: Chetankumar Vilas Ahiwalay* 1 , Bonnie An Henderson 2 , Kimaya Chavan 3
1Cataract services,SweeMyra Netralaya,Thane,India, 2Cataract services,Tufts University school of Medicine,Boston,United States, 3Cataract services,Chavan Hopsital,Mumbai,India
Purpose
The pursuit of effective strategies for repairing corneal nerves after mechanical damage continues to be a critical area of clinical research. Our study explores the use of cryo-microneedle patches embedded with mesenchymal stem cell exosomes (MSC-Exo) to deliver bioactive molecules in a targeted manner, aiming to improve corneal nerve repair.
Setting
Corneal nerve repair
Methods
The cryo-microneedle patch (cryo-MN) were fabricated with biocompatible hydrogel with a tip composed of a photo-crosslinked mixture of 5% hyaluronic acid methacryloyl (HAMA), 5% DMSO, and MSC-Exo. These microneedles possess the mechanical strength to penetrate the corneal epithelium, as well as the properties to deliver exosomes to the subepithelial layer and ensure a sustained drug release. A mouse model of corneal nerve mechanical injury was established by scraping the corneal epithelium. Subsequently, we assessed the safety of microneedling in ocular tissue and compared the therapeutic outcomes between Exo eye drop applications and microneedle patches, while exploring the molecular mechanisms of Exo in repairing corneal nerve damage.
Results
In vivo tests showed microneedles' penetration of corneal epithelium with thumb pressure. Biocompatibility of HAMA was confirmed by CCK8. Drug release studies showed HAMA's sustained release. Immunofluorescence showed that cryo-MN encapsulating exosomes had a protective effect on TG cell axons, demonstrating the bioactivity of exosomes in microneedles. H&E and tunel staining affirmed MN's ocular safety. After 2 weeks of treatment, corneal immunofluorescence showed significant nerve density increases in the Exo-Drop and cryoMNs-Exo groups vs. normal control (NC), with the cryoMNs-Exo showing a more marked increase (P<0.05). The cryoMNs-Exo also showed improved corneal sensation and tear secretion over NC during treatment.
Conclusions
The cryo-microneedle patch encapsulating MSC-Exo was more effective than conventional eye drops in regenerating corneal nerves. This approach presenting a promising clinical strategy for treating nerve damage after corneal refractive surgery.