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Updated: Aug 3, 2026
Dissection of Human Vitreous Body Elements for Proteomic Analysis
Published on: January 23, 2011
Tissue engineering of the vitreous body: recent progress and future trends
André Schulz1, Stefaniya K Boneva2, Clemens Lange2,3
1Rostock University Medical Center, Department of Ophthalmology, Rostock.
Purpose Of Review:
In contrast to current clinically used tamponades including oils and gases, hydrogels offer a vitreous replacement that has the potential to present a niche for vitreous cells and elevate vitreous substitutes to the level of tissue engineering. This article, therefore, highlights and discusses recent hydrogel-based vitreous replacement strategies as well as the latest progress on vitreous cells, towards the development of a cellularized vitreous substitute.
Recent Findings:
A variety of different crosslinked hydrogel systems have been recently investigated as preformed and in situ forming vitreous substitutes, based on biopolymers and/or synthetic polymers. In addition, a comprehensive understanding of the precise function and immunological significance of hyalocytes as vitreous macrophages has recently emerged using advanced imaging techniques and high-throughput transcriptional and protein analyses.
Summary:
Tissue engineering offers transformative potential for vitreous replacement by combining advanced hydrogel systems with hyalocytes as vitreous cells to further replicate the versatile characteristics and functions of the native vitreous.
