Electrospun Collagen Nanofibers Reduce Inflammation, Inhibit Fibrosis, and Promote Wound Healing on the Ocular Surface

Corneal injury and trauma present a significant challenge in terms of healing, as natural tissue repair leads to fibrosis and scar formation, which can have a detrimental impact on vision. Therefore, it is necessary to develop effective treatment methods that will reduce inflammation and promote tissue repair while maintaining the native transparency of tissue and vision. When applied to the skin, collagen can inhibit the progression of inflammation and facilitate the repair of damaged skin. Herein, we investigated the potential of collagen for the repair of corneal injuries, utilizing nanoscale dimensions that minimize ocular surface irritation. Electrospun collagen nanofibers (eCFs) retain the natural properties of collagen and have a large surface area and high porosity, rendering them highly suitable for mimicking the natural extracellular matrix (ECM) and providing a favorable microenvironment for cell growth. In vitro models of inflammation were constructed using human corneal epithelial cells (hCECs) and human corneal stromal fibroblasts (hCSFs). The addition of eCFs significantly inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced corneal inflammation. In vitro cell experiments and three-dimensional culture models were established to test the influence of eCFs on cell behavior as scaffolds. The eCFs promoted cell proliferation, migration, and stretching and are beneficial for maintaining a quiescent phenotype. Nanoscale collagen demonstrated superior wound-healing effects in animal models, promoting epithelial healing and maintaining transparency of the corneal stroma. In conclusion, eCFs considerably suppressed the production of LPS-induced inflammatory cytokines in vitro, while promoting the healing and repair of the corneal epithelium and inhibiting corneal stromal fibrosis. Thus, this type of collagen nanofiber has great potential in the biomedical field, providing a perspective for the optimization of clinical treatment strategies for corneal injuries.