Graphene oxide increases the phototransduction efficiency of copolymeric nanoimplants and rescues visual functions in rat and pig models of Retinitis pigmentosa
Photoreceptor degeneration in Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a leading cause of inherited blindness, for which few effective treatments are available. Graphene's exceptional electrical, optical, and mechanical properties, along with its biocompatibility, make it a promising material for retinal stimulation. Building on prior success with conjugated polymers in rodent RP models, we developed injectable retinal nanoimplants that blend a donor-acceptor polymeric architecture with graphene oxide flakes. Here we show that graphene significantly improved the photovoltaic efficiency and enhanced light-evoked responses in blind retinal explants. In RP-affected Royal College of Surgeons rats, a single subretinal injection of these nanoimplants restored light-driven behaviors and visual brain activity at lower luminances than polymer-only particles without any proinflammatory effects. Moreover, this technology restored retinal activity in a pig model of chemically induced degeneration, demonstrating the valuable translational potential of the injectable nanoplatform in the treatment of retinal degenerative diseases.
Authors
- Mattia L. DiFrancesco (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7511-4438)
- Stefano Di Marco (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4847-6270)
- Sara Cupini (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4090-5739)
- Simona Francia (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8091-1266)
- Alberto Elmi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7827-5034)
- Domenico Ventrella (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9330-979X)
- Giulia Mantero (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3381-1400)
- José Fernando Maya‐Vetencourt (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3808-8944)
- T. Gianiorio
- Maria Laura Bacci (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6702-5868)
- Fabio Benfenati (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0653-8368)
- Tiziana Ravasenga (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6832-195X)
- Grazia Pertile (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4951-0549)
- Jasnoor
- Elisabetta Colombo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7998-9397)
- F. Galluzzi
- M.R. Attanasio
Institutions
- University of Pisa (IT)
- Italian Institute of Technology (IT)
- Ospedale Sacro Cuore Don Calabria (IT)
- Ospedale Policlinico San Martino (IT)
- Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IT)
- University of Genoa (IT)
- University of Bologna (IT)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Nature Communications
- Published
- 2025-09-30
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-63716-4
- Citations
- 2
- Primary Topic
- Retinal Development and Disorders
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 1.61
Funders
- Graphene Flagship
- European Commission
- Ministero della Salute
- Ministero degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia
- Horizon 2020 Framework Programme