Corneal Epithelial Tissue Engineering Strategy Based on Cell Viability Optimization: A Review and Prospects.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology and Regenerative Medicine
• Biomaterials Science and Tissue Engineering

Background:

• Corneal transplantation is a last resort for severe corneal epithelial disorders like limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD).
• Tissue engineering offers alternatives to donor scarcity but faces challenges in cell viability and functionality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review key characteristics of corneal epithelium bioscaffolds.
• To summarize research progress in optimizing cell activity and functionality over the past decade.
• To explore innovative strategies for personalized corneal regeneration.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of cell sourcing, isolation, and induction methods.
• Comparison of existing clinical therapies and novel seed cell pretreatment strategies.
• Review of engineered cell culture systems, including bioscaffold stiffness modulation, topographic design, and fabrication techniques.

Main Results:

• Identified key perspectives for optimizing cell activity: cell sourcing, seed cell pretreatments, biomaterial optimization, and engineered culture systems.
• Demonstrated methods to preserve cell viability through bioscaffold design and fabrication.
• Highlighted innovative engineered cell culture systems and pretreatment strategies.

Conclusions:

• Optimizing cell viability and functionality in corneal bioscaffolds is crucial for effective tissue engineering.
• Personalized regeneration strategies integrating imaging, digital modeling, bioprinting, and machine learning show significant promise.
• Advances in tissue engineering offer a promising future for treating corneal epithelial disorders.