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Updated: Mar 3, 2026
Combination of Microstereolithography and Electrospinning to Produce Membranes Equipped with Niches for Corneal Regeneration
Published on: September 12, 2014
Tissue-engineered cornea constructed with compressed collagen and laser-perforated electrospun mat
Bin Kong1, Wei Sun1,2,3, Guoshi Chen4
1Macromolecular Platforms for Translational Medicine and Bio-Manufacturing Laboratory, Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Insititute, Shenzhen, 518055, P.R. China.
Researchers developed a novel hybrid construct combining electrospun poly(lactic-co-glycolide) (PLGA) with plastic compressed (PC) collagen for corneal tissue engineering. This enhanced material offers improved mechanical strength and light transmittance, supporting cell growth and stratification for potential clinical use.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Plastic compressed (PC) collagen gels lack mechanical integrity for clinical use.
- Electrospun poly(lactic-co-glycolide) (PLGA) mats offer biocompatibility and mechanical strength.
Purpose of the Study:
- To create a robust hybrid biomaterial for corneal tissue engineering.
- To enhance the mechanical properties and light transmittance of collagen-based constructs.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of sandwich-like hybrid constructs using PC collagen and electrospun PLGA mats.
- Laser perforation of PLGA mats to tune mechanical properties and light transmittance.
- In vitro evaluation of construct properties and cell behavior (HCECs and HKs).
Main Results:
- Optimal hybrid construct achieved a maximum tensile stress of 3.42 ± 0.22 MPa.
- Laser perforation increased light transmittance ~15-fold, with further gradual increases over time.
- Constructs supported excellent adhesion, proliferation, and phenotype maintenance of corneal cells, with HCECs forming stratified layers.
Conclusions:
- The designed hybrid construct demonstrates suitable mechanical and optical properties for corneal tissue engineering.
- The material effectively supports corneal cell growth and differentiation in vitro.
- This novel biomaterial holds promise for clinical applications in engineered corneal tissue.
