[Cellular models used to study the pathogenesis associated with ocular inflammation in the anterior part of the eye]

Several multifactorial pathologies in ophthalmology that affect the anterior segment of the eye are partly inflammatory. To better understand the role and impact of inflammation in dry eye and corneal healing, many research teams have used in vitro models to mimic different aspects of these diseases. Several in vitro models have been developed to elucidate the signaling cascades involved in pathogenesis. They also offer the experimental flexibility to adjust environmental parameters, facilitating the validation of innovative therapies and the identification of new pharmacological targets. This review focuses on two-dimensional in vitro models, but also highlights the progress made in 3D models obtained by tissue engineering, which mimic inflammation in these ocular pathologies. The origin of the cells (human or animal), their tissue source, the type of cells (epithelial, endothelial, vascular, conjunctival), as well as the various experimental conditions used to mimic an inflammatory aspect according to the stages of progression of these pathologies, are thoroughly reported in this review of the literature.