Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41049861›Full record

ArticleBiomaterials research2025

Repairing Effect and Mechanism of the 4-Dimensionally Printed Limbal Stem Cell Strategy on Corneal Alkali Burns in Large Animals.

Zhen Shang, Nailong Pan, Xiaomin Wang, Xiao Xu, Yanhan Dong, Dan Han, Liang Zhang, Junlin Lv, Yiwei Xu, Yan Tang and 3 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Biomaterials research, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

13 authors.

Zhen ShangInstitute of Regenerative Medicine and Laboratory Technology Innovation, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266071, PR China.
Nailong PanInstitute of Regenerative Medicine and Laboratory Technology Innovation, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266071, PR China.
Xiaomin WangInstitute of Regenerative Medicine and Laboratory Technology Innovation, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266071, PR China.
Xiao XuInstitute of Regenerative Medicine and Laboratory Technology Innovation, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266071, PR China.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9653-3255
Yanhan DongQingdao Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266071, PR China.
Dan HanInstitute of Regenerative Medicine and Laboratory Technology Innovation, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266071, PR China.
Liang ZhangInstitute of Regenerative Medicine and Laboratory Technology Innovation, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266071, PR China.
Junlin LvInstitute of Regenerative Medicine and Laboratory Technology Innovation, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266071, PR China.
Yiwei XuInstitute of Regenerative Medicine and Laboratory Technology Innovation, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266071, PR China.
Yan TangInstitute of Regenerative Medicine and Laboratory Technology Innovation, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266071, PR China.
Xiaotong LiInstitute of Regenerative Medicine and Laboratory Technology Innovation, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266071, PR China.
Xiaoying KongInstitute of Regenerative Medicine and Laboratory Technology Innovation, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266071, PR China.
Wenhua XuInstitute of Regenerative Medicine and Laboratory Technology Innovation, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266071, PR China.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7426-6950

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Alkali burn of corneas can induce corneal stromal fibrosis and limbal stem cell deficiency, which destroys corneal epithelial homeostasis, leading to scarring and impaired vision. Although stem cell therapy has shown potential therapeutic contributions to corneal injuries, it still faces the challenges of difficult retention and low survival rates due to the limitations of corneal curvature and an abnormal microenvironment. In this work, a 4D-printed chitosan-based hydrogel (4D-CTH) was prepared to load limbal stem cells (LSCs) for the regulation of epithelial microenvironment homeostasis and the repair of alkali-burned corneas. 4D-CTH, which has good biocompatibility and a regular spatial structure, was proven to be a candidate for use as a tissue engineering carrier that supplies highly active LSCs to a cornea injured by alkali. Both in vitro and in vivo studies confirmed that treatment with 4D-CTH + LSCs can provide more efficient corneal repair for alkali burn injuries compared to epidermal growth factor, which is the traditional treatment method for treating burned corneas. Based on single-cell sequencing analysis, 4D-CTH can markedly increase the proportion of LSCs in corneal tissue by promoting the residence and growth of LSCs. Additionally, 4D-CTH loaded with LSCs can inhibit and reverse corneal fibrosis by interfering with fibroblast differentiation, which is closely related to the down-regulation of cytochrome c oxidase subunit VIc expression by LSCs, thereby inhibiting oxidative phosphorylation in fibroblasts. In conclusion, this work not only confirmed the feasibility of 4D-CTH + LSCs for the treatment of corneas burned by alkali but also clarified the regulation mechanism of corneal epithelial homeostasis by 4D-CTH + LSCs, providing theoretical support and an application paradigm for corneal tissue engineering therapy.

Identifiers

PMID41049861
PMCPMC12489182

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.