Self-assembled coating with a metal-polyphenolic network for intraocular lens modification to prevent posterior capsule opacification

Abstract

Posterior capsule opacification (PCO) is a main complication after cataract surgery and intraocular lens (IOLs) implantation and is attributed to residual lens epithelial cells (LECs) migrating to the IOL surface and posterior capsules. IOL surface modification has been a newly-developing research filed in recent years; however, the applicability and economical acquisition of modified materials remain unsolved. In this study, we first applied a metal-polyphenolic network coating with a self-assembly technique on the IOL surface by using tannic acid (TA) combined with AlCl3, which are easily acquire and applying on the IOL surface to solve the IOL transmittance affair. Using wound healing and Transwell assay to verify AZD0364 inhibits cell migration ( P < 0.05), the lipopolysaccharide-induced macrophage inflammation model to verify pterostilbene (PTE) inhibits the inflammatory reaction ( P < 0.01). By optimizes its self-assembly coating parameters and calculating its drug release kinetics, we successfully loaded these two drugs on the coating, named TA (AZD0364/PTE) IOL. Its surface morphology characteristics were analyzed by scanning electron microscope, x-ray photoelectron spectrometer and water contact angle. The optical performance was carefully investigated by optical instruments and equipment (n= 3). The in vitro results showed that TA (AZD0364/PTE) IOL can significantly inhibit cell adhesion and acute inflammation (n= 3, P < 0.0001). Importantly, after in vivo implantation for 28 d with eight rabbits PCO models in two groups, the TA (AZD0364/PTE) IOL group maintained clear refracting media and decreased the inflammatory reaction compared with the original IOL group ( P < 0.05). This study provides a new applicable and economical strategy for preventing PCO and offers a reference for the next generation of IOLs that benefit cataract patients.