Wu Kevin Y, Belaiche Myriam, Wen Ying, Choulakian Mazen Y, Tran Simon D
Department of Surgery, Division of Ophthalmology, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1G 2E8, Canada.
Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada.
Polymers (Basel). 2024 Oct 12;16(20):2882. doi: 10.3390/polym16202882.
Corneal endothelial dysfunction is a leading cause of vision loss globally, frequently requiring corneal transplantation. However, the limited availability of donor tissues, particularly in developing countries, has spurred on the exploration of tissue engineering strategies, with a focus on polymer biomaterials as scaffolds for corneal endotlhelium regeneration. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the advancements in polymer biomaterials, focusing on their role in supporting the growth, differentiation, and functional maintenance of human corneal endothelial cells (CECs). Key properties of scaffold materials, including optical clarity, biocompatibility, biodegradability, mechanical stability, permeability, and surface wettability, are discussed in detail. The review also explores the latest innovations in micro- and nano-topological morphologies, fabrication techniques such as electrospinning and 3D/4D bioprinting, and the integration of drug delivery systems into scaffolds. Despite significant progress, challenges remain in translating these technologies to clinical applications. Future directions for research are highlighted, including the need for improved biomaterial combinations, a deeper understanding of CEC biology, and the development of scalable manufacturing processes. This review aims to serve as a resource for researchers and clinician-scientists seeking to advance the field of corneal endothelium tissue engineering.
角膜内皮功能障碍是全球视力丧失的主要原因，常常需要进行角膜移植。然而，供体组织的供应有限，尤其是在发展中国家，这促使人们探索组织工程策略，重点是将聚合物生物材料作为角膜内皮再生的支架。本综述全面概述了聚合物生物材料的进展，重点介绍了它们在支持人角膜内皮细胞（CEC）生长、分化和功能维持方面的作用。详细讨论了支架材料的关键特性，包括光学透明度、生物相容性、生物降解性、机械稳定性、渗透性和表面润湿性。本综述还探讨了微观和纳米拓扑形态的最新创新、静电纺丝和3D/4D生物打印等制造技术，以及将药物递送系统整合到支架中的情况。尽管取得了重大进展，但将这些技术转化为临床应用仍面临挑战。强调了未来的研究方向，包括需要改进生物材料组合、更深入地了解CEC生物学以及开发可扩展的制造工艺。本综述旨在为寻求推进角膜内皮组织工程领域的研究人员和临床科学家提供参考资源。
