Scientific Reports, 26 March, 2025
A new study published in the journal Scientific Reports indicates that irradiated umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-coated high oxygen-permeable hydrogel lenses have therapeutic effects on corneal alkali burns and explores the underlying mechanisms involved. Compared with those in the other experimental groups, irradiated umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-coated high oxygen-permeable hydrogel lenses significantly decreased inflammatory index scores, areas of corneal blood vessels, and corneal epithelial injury. The downregulation of Th17 cell differentiation might be responsible for these effects.
Objectives: To investigate whether irradiated umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-coated high oxygen-permeable hydrogel lenses exert therapeutic effects on corneal alkali burns and to explore the underlying mechanisms involved.
Methods:
- We divided corneal alkali-burned rabbits into the untreated group, the blank lens group, the irradiated umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UCMSC) lens group, and the UCMSC I.V. group.
- We measured corneal inflammation, neovascularization, and corneal injury repair via slit-lamp microscopy, captured anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT), and performed hematoxylin-eosin staining.
Results:
- Compared with those in the other experimental groups, irradiated UCMSC lenses significantly decreased inflammatory index (IF) scores, areas of corneal blood vessels, and corneal epithelial injury.
- The expression of interleukin (IL)-17 in corneas treated with irradiated UCMSC lenses was lower than that in corneas treated with blank lenses.
- Irradiated UCMSC lenses exhibited greater expression of IL-4 and signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1), while the expression of cluster of differentiation-3G (CD3G), a linker for the activation of T cells (LAT), IL-6, IL-1B, CC chemokine receptor 6 (CCR6) and IL-23 exhibited the opposite effects.
Conclusions: Our findings demonstrated that irradiated UCMSC-coated high oxygen-permeable hydrogel lenses on the ocular surface inhibited corneal angiogenesis and inflammation after corneal alkaline burns. The downregulation of Th17 cell differentiation might be responsible for these effects.
References
Song, S., Cheng, Y., Li, W. et al. Irradiated umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-coated high oxygen-permeable hydrogel lenses inhibit corneal inflammation and neovascularization after corneal alkali burns. Sci Rep 15, 10401 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-95007-9
Source: Scientific Reports
Link: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-95007-9#citeas
