Fig. 1: Overview of synthesis scheme for bio-orthogonally crosslinked HA-collagen (HA-Col click) gels, in vivo study design, and summary of results 2 months after treatment. | npj Regenerative Medicine

Fig. 1: Overview of synthesis scheme for bio-orthogonally crosslinked HA-collagen (HA-Col click) gels, in vivo study design, and summary of results 2 months after treatment.

From: Bio-orthogonal crosslinking and hyaluronan facilitate transparent healing after treatment of deep corneal injuries with in situ-forming hydrogels

Fig. 1: Overview of synthesis scheme for bio-orthogonally crosslinked HA-collagen (HA-Col click) gels, in vivo study design, and summary of results 2 months after treatment.

a Collagen-DBCO and HA-azide conjugates were first synthesized and then later reacted with each other to yield the HA-Col click gels by SPAAC, a copper-free form of click chemistry. b The HA-Col click gels are designed to be formed in situ within keratectomy wounds. These were compared side-by-side to topical PBS alone, collagen-only gels formed in situ by SPAAC click chemistry, and HA-Col gels formed in situ by UV photopolymerization of HA-methacrylate and collagen-methacrylate conjugates. Two months after treatment, the HA-Col click gel-treated corneas exhibited more transparent and less fibrotic wound healing, including a lower degree of myofibroblastic activity within the treated stroma than the corneas treated with the HA-Col UV gel, Col click gel, and PBS. DBCO dibenzocyclooctyne, SPAAC strain promoted azide-alkyne cycloaddition, HA hyaluronic acid, Col collagen, ALK anterior lamellar keratectomy, ROS reactive oxygen species, PBS phosphate buffer solution. Created in BioRender. Lab, M. (2025) https://BioRender.com/b34n017.

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