Positive resolution of the wound-healing response in lens epithelial cells by Ti₃C₂T_xMXene coatings for use in accommodative intraocular lens devices

Abstract

Cataract surgery removes the diseased lens of the eye replacing it with an intraocular lens (IOL), restoring visual acuity. However, accommodation, the lens’ ability to provide dynamic change in focus, is lost. A number of accommodative intraocular lens (AIOL) designs have been considered although none have provided a truly effective clinical AIOL. Two-dimensional titanium carbide (Ti3C2T x ) MXene has been used as a transparent conductive electrode within an AIOL feasibility study. Nevertheless, the potential for Ti3C2T x to repress excessive inflammation and promote wound healing following cataract surgery has not been considered. Cataract surgery can trigger chronic inflammation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in residual lens epithelial cells (LECs), producing a fibrotic mass across the optic known as posterior capsule opacification (PCO). With a large surface area and capacity for surface functionalisation, MXene has properties enabling a dual purpose AIOL design with an additional therapeutic role in the repression of pathways leading to PCO development. In this study, Ti3C2T x MXene was investigated to determine its impact on pathways leading to chronic inflammation and EMT using an in vitro LECs model. Ti3C2T x MXene was synthesised and characterised using UV-vis spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering and scanning electron microscopy. Changes in markers linked to inflammation and EMT in Ti3C2T x -treated LECs were measured using enzyme linked immunosorbent assays, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, scratch assay, RNA sequencing for whole-cell gene expression profiling and lipidomics analysis. Ti3C2T x significantly reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines by IL-1β primed LECs and did not advocate EMT through promoting a positive resolution of the wound healing response. This study supports the role of Ti3C2T x within an AIOL design with the potential to repress key developmental pathways leading to PCO.

Augmented wound healing potential of photosensitive GelMA hydrogel incorporating antimicrobial peptides and MXene nanoparticles

“…All hydrogels showed good swelling capacity. MXene nanoparticles all contain a large number of hydrophilic groups and show strong hydrophilicity ( Rasool et al, 2016 ; Jin et al, 2021 ; Guo et al, 2022 ; Cooksley et al, 2023 ), but the equilibrium swelling rate of GelMA/MXene hydrogels after the addition of MXene is lower than that of GelMA hydrogels. Our analysis suggests that this may be because the composite hydrogels formed by the two have smaller pore sizes and denser composite structures, leading to a decrease in swelling rate.…”

Latest advances on MXenes in biomedical research and health care

“… 71 , 72 Ti 3 C 2 T x thin films have also been applied on conductive coatings in accommodative intraocular lenses (Figure 3 h). 69 , 73 Under applied electric fields, Ti 3 C 2 T x transparent thin films enable molecular reorientation of the sandwiched liquid crystal for tuning the refractive index and optical power of the lens architecture (Figure 3 i). 69 Such accommodative intraocular lenses can mimic the function of a natural lens and be deployed as replacement lens to restore visual accommodation.…”

MXene-based composites in smart wound healing and dressings

“…The dressing also demonstrated good biocompatibility with human dermal fibroblasts, indicating its safety for use in wound healing applications. 7–10 Since the development of the MXene-chitosan composite dressing, several other MXene-based composite dressings have been reported. 11–13…”