hyaluronic acid-dibenzocyclooctyne

Hyaluronic acid-dibenzocyclooctyne (HA-DBCO) is a functionalized glycosaminoglycan derivative designed for enhanced ocular surface retention via bioorthogonal click chemistry. The molecule consists of a hyaluronic acid backbone covalently modified with dibenzocyclooctyne (DBCO) groups. It is used as part of a corneal surface engineering strategy where the corneal epithelium is first metabolically labeled with azide groups using an unnatural sugar (e.g., AAM). Upon topical application, HA-DBCO undergoes a strain-promoted azide-alkyne cycloaddition (SPAAC) with the cell-surface azides, covalently anchoring the hyaluronic acid to the cornea. This covalent "docking" significantly overcomes the rapid clearance typically associated with anionic HA formulations, extending retention time and improving therapeutic efficacy in conditions like dry eye disease.

Other names

DBCO-modified hyaluronic aciddibenzocyclooctyne-functionalized hyaluronic acidDBCO-HA