Injectable antioxidant hydrogel promotes retinal neuroprotection and visual recovery in mouse model

Researchers from National Taiwan University and National Taiwan University Hospital have created an injectable antioxidant hydrogel that protects retinal neurons and improves visual recovery following optic nerve injury. Oxidative stress and neuroinflammation play significant roles in retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death after optic nerve injury, but effective treatments are still lacking.

The team developed a catechol-functionalized carboxymethyl cellulose hydrogel (CMCDA) as a single, multifunctional platform for localized and sustained retinal neuroprotection. This hydrogel can be administered via minimally invasive intravitreal injection. In a mouse optic nerve crush model, a single administration of CMCDA was found to reduce oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, preserve RGCs, and promote neuronal and axonal repair.

Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed that CMCDA reshaped the retinal microenvironment after injury, suppressing pathways related to oxidative stress, apoptosis, inflammation, and gliosis while promoting protective and regenerative responses. The improvements in cellular and molecular levels led to measurable recovery of visual function.

The findings suggest that this cellulose-based hydrogel could be a promising minimally invasive therapeutic strategy for acute optic nerve injury and oxidative stress-related retinal neurodegeneration.