Bioengineering of Human Corneal Endothelial Cells from Single- to Four-Dimensional Cultures

Abstract

To summarize the recent advances of clinical and preclinical studies for corneal endothelial tissue bioengineering. The challenges facing the generation of a clinical applicable corneal endothelial graft can be broadly classified into cell source selection, culture medium optimization, scaffold establishment, and the following three- and four-dimensional (4D) corneal construction. Based on the current advances in primary human corneal endothelial cell (HCEC) culture and good manufacturing practice (GMP)–compliant medium development, the first clinical trial of bioengineered HCEC injection therapy has been conducted with encouraging results. Other significant findings include the in vivo experiments of the stem cell–derived HCEC, the development of serum-, xeno-, and additive-free media, and the construction of 4D scaffold. It can be anticipated that tissue engineering–based therapy toward corneal endothelial diseases will replace the current keratoplasty method as a promising treatment option in the near future.