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Corneal Tissue Engineering: An In Vitro Model of the Stromal-nerve Interactions of the Human Cornea
Published on: January 24, 2018
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Mechanical Properties of Bioengineered Corneal Stroma
Nello Formisano1, Cas van der Putten2, Rhiannon Grant1
1Department of Instructive Biomaterials Engineering, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht University, Maastricht, 6229 ER, The Netherlands.
Advanced Healthcare Materials
|August 9, 2021
Summary
Corneal transplantation faces donor shortages. Bioengineered corneal stroma implants often fail due to poor biomechanics, highlighting the need to analyze mechanical properties for successful tissue engineering.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Ophthalmology
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- Severe corneal injury necessitates transplantation, but donor scarcity limits treatment.
- Bioengineered corneal stroma mimetics are explored to address donor shortages.
- Current bioengineered implants frequently fail in clinical trials due to poor integration and adverse effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review existing bioengineering approaches for corneal stromal constructs.
- To critically analyze the mechanical properties of these constructs.
- To provide insights for developing future successful corneal implants.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of bioengineered corneal stromal constructs.
- Analysis of reported mechanical properties of these constructs.
- Identification of common challenges and shortcomings.
Main Results:
- Numerous bioengineered stromas have been developed.
- Poor biomechanical performance is a key factor in implant failure.
- Tissue integration and in vivo effects are often compromised by mechanical inadequacy.
Conclusions:
- Biomechanical properties are crucial for the success of bioengineered corneal stromal constructs.
- Overlooking mechanical performance contributes to clinical trial failures.
- Future research must prioritize the biomechanical characterization of corneal implants.
