A long-term retaining molecular coating for corneal regeneration

Corneal injuries will cause corneal surface diseases that may lead to blindness in millions of people worldwide. There is a tremendous need for biomaterials that can promote corneal regeneration with practical feasibility. Here we demonstrate a strategy of a protein coating for corneal injury regeneration. We synthesize an o-nitrosobenzaldehyde group (NB)-modified gelatin (GelNB), which could adhere directly to the corneal surface with covalent bonding to form a thin molecular coating. The molecular coating could avoid rapid clearance and provide a favorable environment for cell migration, thereby effectively accelerating corneal repair and regeneration. The histological structure of the regenerated cornea is more similar to the native cornea. This molecular coating can be used conveniently as an eye drop solution, which makes it a promising strategy for corneal regeneration. [Display omitted] •A convenient molecular coating strategy is applied for corneal tissue engineering.•The new hydrogel shows controllable integration, short gelling time, and a clear gelling mechanism.•Gelatin modified with o-nitrosobenzaldehyde groups could exist on the ocular surface and avoid rapid removal.•The hydrogel provides a suitable microenvironment for cell migration and corneal regeneration.