Abstract
Corneal problems affect millions of people worldwide reducing their quality of life significantly. Corneal disease can be caused by illnesses such as Aniridia or Steven Johnson Syndrome as well as by external factors such as chemical burns or radiation. Current treatments are (i) the use of corneal grafts and (ii) the use of stem cell expanded in the laboratory and delivered on carriers (e.g., amniotic membrane); these treatments are relatively successful but unfortunately they can fail after 3-5 years. There is a need to design and manufacture new corneal biomaterial devices able to mimic in detail the physiological environment where stem cells reside in the cornea. Limbal stem cells are located in the limbus (circular area between cornea and sclera) in specific niches known as the Palisades of Vogt. In this work we have developed a new platform technology which combines two cutting-edge manufacturing techniques (microstereolithography and electrospinning) for the fabrication of corneal membranes that mimic to a certain extent the limbus. Our membranes contain artificial micropockets which aim to provide cells with protection as the Palisades of Vogt do in the eye.
Highlights
The cornea, the avascular central outer most tissue of the eye, is one of the most important tissues involved in vision[1]
It has been reported that the stem cells of the corneal epithelium lie in niches or crypts at the peripheral region of the cornea known as the limbus[5,6]
Electrospun microfabricated rings were manufactured using a combination of microstereolithography and electrospinning (Figures 1 and 2)
Summary
The cornea, the avascular central outer most tissue of the eye, is one of the most important tissues involved in vision[1]. The top outermost layer of the cornea comprises of epithelial cells which can be about 5-7 layers in thickness[2]. As the stem cells divide, the daughter cells known as transient amplifying cells travel out of the niches and as division continues the cells move centripetally inwards and upwards resulting in terminally differentiated cells at the central corneal region[7,8]. These cells are routinely wiped away with the blink of the eye exposing newer cells underneath[9]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
