Timp2-modified gelatinhydroxyphenylpropionic acid hydrogels reverse enhanced scleral recovery and suppress myopia development in mice

A novel therapeutic strategy for form deprivation myopia (FDM) involving Timp2-modified scleral stem cells (SSC^Timp2) embedded in gelatin-hydroxyphenylpropionic acid (Gtn-HPA) hydrogel was investigated. Transcriptome and single-cell RNA sequencing analyses identified Timp2 as a crucial factor in FDM progression due to its reduced expression in FDM sclera. The developed SSC^Timp2-Gtn-HPA hydrogel composite demonstrated excellent biocompatibility, rapid gelation, and degradation properties. <i>In vitro</i> studies showed that SSC^Timp2-GH promoted human scleral fibroblast (HSF) proliferation, inhibited apoptosis, and prevented differentiation. <i>In vivo</i> experiments in mice showed that SSC^Timp2-GH effectively regulated ocular parameters, facilitated scleral recovery, and improved FDM conditions. These results highlight the potential of SSC^Timp2-GH as a promising therapeutic approach for myopia treatment by enhancing scleral recovery.