Advanced 3D scaffolds for corneal stroma regeneration: a preclinical progress

Area of Science:

• Regenerative Medicine
• Biomaterials Science
• Ophthalmology

Background:

• Corneal stromal defects are a major cause of blindness globally.
• Conventional treatments like corneal transplantation have limitations.
• Tissue engineering presents a promising alternative for corneal repair.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review advances in 3D scaffold design for corneal stroma engineering (CSE).
• To highlight the role of scaffold architecture, mechanical properties, and biomaterials in tissue regeneration.
• To synthesize the current state-of-the-art in 3D scaffold-based corneal tissue engineering (CTE).

Main Methods:

• Review of recent literature on 3D scaffold fabrication for CSE.
• Analysis of biomaterials and fabrication techniques (e.g., 3D printing).
• Emphasis on the interplay between scaffold design, cellular behavior, and tissue integration.

Main Results:

• 3D scaffolds can replicate native extracellular matrix (ECM) architecture.
• Scaffold properties critically influence cell proliferation, differentiation, and tissue integration.
• Diverse biomaterials impact cellular interactions and tissue reconstruction.

Conclusions:

• 3D scaffolds are a promising platform for corneal regeneration.
• Understanding scaffold-biologic interactions is key to engineering functional corneal tissue.
• This review provides insights for advancing vision restoration therapies through CTE.