Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 3, 2025
Author Spotlight: Advancing Vision Restoration - Stem Cell-Based Therapy for Retinal Diseases
Published on: October 6, 2023
Rapid bioprinting of conjunctival stem cell micro-constructs for subconjunctival ocular injection
Zheng Zhong1, Xiaoqian Deng2, Pengrui Wang3
1Department of NanoEngineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
Abstract:
Ocular surface diseases including conjunctival disorders are multifactorial progressive conditions that can severely affect vision and quality of life. In recent years, stem cell therapies based on conjunctival stem cells (CjSCs) have become a potential solution for treating ocular surface diseases. However, neither an efficient culture of CjSCs nor the development of a minimally invasive ocular surface CjSC transplantation therapy has been reported. Here, we developed a robust in vitro expansion method for primary rabbit-derived CjSCs and applied digital light processing (DLP)-based bioprinting to produce CjSC-loaded hydrogel micro-constructs for injectable delivery. Expansion medium containing small molecule cocktail generated fast dividing and highly homogenous CjSCs for more than 10 passages in feeder-free culture. Bioprinted hydrogel micro-constructs with tunable mechanical properties enabled the 3D culture of CjSCs while supporting viability, stem cell phenotype, and differentiation potency into conjunctival goblet cells. These hydrogel micro-constructs were well-suited for scalable dynamic suspension culture of CjSCs and were successfully delivered to the bulbar conjunctival epithelium via minimally invasive subconjunctival injection. This work integrates novel cell culture strategies with bioprinting to develop a clinically relevant injectable-delivery approach for CjSCs towards the stem cell therapies for the treatment of ocular surface diseases.
Insights
Researchers developed an efficient method to culture conjunctival stem cells (CjSCs) and used bioprinting to create injectable hydrogel micro-constructs for treating ocular surface diseases.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Regenerative Medicine
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Ocular surface diseases, including conjunctival disorders, significantly impair vision and quality of life.
- Conjunctival stem cells (CjSCs) offer potential for treating these conditions, but efficient culture and minimally invasive delivery methods are lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a robust in vitro expansion method for rabbit-derived CjSCs.
- To create CjSC-loaded hydrogel micro-constructs using digital light processing (DLP)-based bioprinting for injectable delivery.
Main Methods:
- Primary rabbit CjSCs were expanded in a feeder-free culture using a small molecule cocktail.
- DLP-based bioprinting was employed to create hydrogel micro-constructs with tunable mechanical properties.
- Injectable delivery of CjSC-loaded micro-constructs to the bulbar conjunctival epithelium was performed.
Main Results:
- The expansion medium facilitated rapid, homogenous CjSC proliferation for over 10 passages.
- Bioprinted hydrogel micro-constructs supported CjSC viability, stem cell phenotype, and differentiation into goblet cells.
- The micro-constructs were suitable for scalable suspension culture and successful minimally invasive subconjunctival injection.
Conclusions:
- This study presents an integrated approach combining novel cell culture and bioprinting for clinically relevant CjSC therapies.
- The developed injectable delivery system holds promise for treating ocular surface diseases.
