Cationic liposome-mediated scavenging of cell-free DNA: An innovative and alternative therapeutic approach for efficient treatment of dry eye disease

The increasing prevalence of dry eye disease (DED) necessitates the development of effective therapeutic approaches. Elevated cell-free DNA (cfDNA) is closely associated with ocular inflammation and is a key factor that underpins the pathogenesis of DED. However, scavenging cfDNA to mitigate inflammation for DED management remains underexplored. Here, we report a cfDNA scavenging approach aimed to effectively treat DED by developing a cationic liposome (cL) with robust DNA binding affinity, enhanced pre-corneal retention, and superior trans-corneal permeability. As demonstrated in a DED mouse model, the use of this approach restored normal tear secretion, reinstated corneal barrier functions, increased the counts of conjunctival goblet cells, and attenuated immune cell infiltration. This non-invasive treatment highlights a viable direction in DED therapy by targeting cfDNA scavenging and suggests cL as a potential therapeutic agent. This approach may be applicable to treating other inflammatory disorders characterized by elevated cfDNA levels.