Chandran Christine, Santra Mithun, Rubin Elizabeth, Geary Moira L, Yam Gary Hin-Fai
Corneal Regeneration Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, Mercy Vision Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA.
McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA.
Biomedicines. 2024 Mar 14;12(3):649. doi: 10.3390/biomedicines12030649.
The cornea is a transparent and vitally multifaceted component of the eye, playing a pivotal role in vision and ocular health. It has primary refractive and protective functions. Typical corneal dysfunctions include opacities and deformities that result from injuries, infections, or other medical conditions. These can significantly impair vision. The conventional challenges in managing corneal ailments include the limited regenerative capacity (except corneal epithelium), immune response after donor tissue transplantation, a risk of long-term graft rejection, and the global shortage of transplantable donor materials. This review delves into the intricate composition of the cornea, the landscape of corneal regeneration, and the multifaceted repercussions of scar-related pathologies. It will elucidate the etiology and types of dysfunctions, assess current treatments and their limitations, and explore the potential of regenerative therapy that has emerged in both in vivo and clinical trials. This review will shed light on existing gaps in corneal disorder management and discuss the feasibility and challenges of advancing regenerative therapies for corneal stromal scarring.
角膜是眼睛的一个透明且至关重要的多面组成部分,在视觉和眼部健康中发挥着关键作用。它具有主要的屈光和保护功能。典型的角膜功能障碍包括由损伤、感染或其他病症导致的混浊和畸形。这些会显著损害视力。治疗角膜疾病的传统挑战包括再生能力有限(角膜上皮除外)、供体组织移植后的免疫反应、长期移植排斥的风险以及可移植供体材料的全球短缺。本综述深入探讨角膜的复杂组成、角膜再生的情况以及瘢痕相关病理的多方面影响。它将阐明功能障碍的病因和类型,评估当前的治疗方法及其局限性,并探索在体内和临床试验中出现的再生疗法的潜力。本综述将揭示角膜疾病管理中现有的差距,并讨论推进角膜基质瘢痕再生疗法的可行性和挑战。