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Graphene oxide increases the phototransduction efficiency of copolymeric nanoimplants and rescues visual functions in rat and pig models of Retinitis pigmentosa

Author

Listed:
  • F. Galluzzi

    (Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia
    The Open University Affiliated Research Centre at Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (ARC@IIT))

  • S. Francia

    (IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino)

  • S. Cupini

    (Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia
    University of Genova)

  • T. Gianiorio

    (Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia
    University of Genova)

  • G. Mantero

    (Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia)

  • M. L. DiFrancesco

    (IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino)

  • T. Ravasenga

    (Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia
    IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino)

  • Jasnoor

    (Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia
    University of Genova)

  • M. Attanasio

    (Negrar)

  • J. F. Maya-Vetencourt

    (Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia
    University of Pisa)

  • G. Pertile

    (Negrar)

  • D. Ventrella

    (University of Bologna)

  • A. Elmi

    (University of Bologna
    University of Pisa)

  • M. L. Bacci

    (University of Bologna)

  • S. Marco

    (Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia
    IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino)

  • F. Benfenati

    (Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia
    University of Genova)

  • E. Colombo

    (Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia
    IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino)

Abstract

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.

Suggested Citation

  • F. Galluzzi & S. Francia & S. Cupini & T. Gianiorio & G. Mantero & M. L. DiFrancesco & T. Ravasenga & Jasnoor & M. Attanasio & J. F. Maya-Vetencourt & G. Pertile & D. Ventrella & A. Elmi & M. L. Bacci, 2025. "Graphene oxide increases the phototransduction efficiency of copolymeric nanoimplants and rescues visual functions in rat and pig models of Retinitis pigmentosa," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-18, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-63716-4
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-63716-4
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Bing-Yi Wang & Zhijie Charles Chen & Mohajeet Bhuckory & Tiffany Huang & Andrew Shin & Valentina Zuckerman & Elton Ho & Ethan Rosenfeld & Ludwig Galambos & Theodore Kamins & Keith Mathieson & Daniel P, 2022. "Electronic photoreceptors enable prosthetic visual acuity matching the natural resolution in rats," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-11, December.
    2. Diego Ghezzi & Maria Rosa Antognazza & Marco Dal Maschio & Erica Lanzarini & Fabio Benfenati & Guglielmo Lanzani, 2011. "A hybrid bioorganic interface for neuronal photoactivation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 2(1), pages 1-7, September.
    3. Paola Vagni & Marta Jole Ildelfonsa Airaghi Leccardi & Charles-Henri Vila & Elodie Geneviève Zollinger & Golnaz Sherafatipour & Thomas J. Wolfensberger & Diego Ghezzi, 2022. "POLYRETINA restores light responses in vivo in blind Göttingen minipigs," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-14, December.
    4. S. Francia & D. Shmal & S. Di Marco & G. Chiaravalli & J. F. Maya-Vetencourt & G. Mantero & C. Michetti & S. Cupini & G. Manfredi & M. L. DiFrancesco & A. Rocchi & S. Perotto & M. Attanasio & R. Sacco, 2022. "Light-induced charge generation in polymeric nanoparticles restores vision in advanced-stage retinitis pigmentosa rats," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-19, December.
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