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Publicação
Bioactive contact lens incorporating umbilical cord-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Secretome for corneal regeneration
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Orientador(es)
Resumo(s)
Corneal injuries and degenerative corneal disorders remain a significant clinical challenge, as impaired tis-sue regeneration can lead to corneal opacity, neovas-cularization, and progressive vision loss [1,2]. Current therapeutic approaches, including topical eye drops and corneal transplantation, are limited by poor bio-availability, insufficient regenerative potential, and the risk of immune rejection [3]. Therefore, there is a pressing need for innovative, non-invasive strategies capable of restoring corneal function. In this context, conditioned medium derived from umbilical cord mes-enchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs), rich in bioactive fac-tors (secretome), has shown promising regenerative and immunomodulatory effects in corneal repair. This study aims to develop a bioactive contact lens as a non-invasive therapeutic platform for corneal regener-ation. The system is based on a hydrogel composed of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), hyaluronic acid (HA), and UC-MSC-derived conditioned medium. Prior to incorpo-ration, the secretome will be characterized to identify key biomarkers associated with immunomodulation and tissue regeneration and validated in vitro through cytocompatibility and cell migration (scratch) assays. The bioactive contact lenses will be fabricated using mold-based techniques to ensure reproducible geom-etry and structural consistency. Within the hydrogel matrix, PVA provides mechanical stability and flexi-bility, while HA enhances hydration, biocompatibility, and mimics native corneal properties, contributing to comfort and biological performance. This platform enables sustained and localized delivery of bioactive factors directly to the injured corneal surface. The re-sulting hydrogel will undergo physicochemical charac-terization using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectros-copy (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Biological performance will be evaluated in vitro using corneal epithelial cells under conditions that mimic the ocular environment. Overall, this work proposes a promising cell-free regenerative strategy for corneal wound healing, with the potential to enhance epitheli-al repair, reduce fibrosis, and improve visual outcomes.
Descrição
Palavras-chave
Contact lens Corneal repair Secretome Umbilical cord mesenchymal stem/stromal cells
Contexto Educativo
Citação
Coutinho, A., Sousa, A. C., & Maurício, A. C. (2026). Bioactive contact lens incorporating umbilical cord-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Secretome for corneal regeneration. Book of Abstracts of the 8th Meeting on Medicinal Biotechnology, 37. https://edicoes.ipp.pt/index.php/books/catalog/book/251
Editora
Politema