Abstract
Nowadays, tissue engineering is one of the most promising approaches for the regeneration of various tissues and organs, including the cornea. However, the inability of biomaterial scaffolds to successfully integrate into the environment of surrounding tissues is one of the main challenges that sufficiently limits the restoration of damaged corneal tissues. Thus, the modulation of molecular and cellular mechanisms is important and necessary for successful graft integration and long-term survival. The dynamics of molecular interactions affecting the site of injury will determine the corneal transplantation efficacy and the post-surgery clinical outcome. The interactions between biomaterial surfaces, cells and their microenvironment can regulate cell behavior and alter their physiology and signaling pathways. Nanotechnology is an advantageous tool for the current understanding, coordination, and directed regulation of molecular cell–transplant interactions on behalf of the healing of corneal wounds. Therefore, the use of various nanotechnological strategies will provide new solutions to the problem of corneal allograft rejection, by modulating and regulating host–graft interaction dynamics towards proper integration and long-term functionality of the transplant.
Highlights
Introduction distributed under the terms andThe human cornea is a complex five-layer structure that both protects the eye and refracts light, contributing greatly to the eye’s optical power
State-of-the-art nanotechnology-based methods seem to be able to help in modulating these molecular mechanisms that are crucial for successful graft integration, helping to overcome some existing drawbacks in corneal tissue engineering
The inclusion of stromal cell factor-1 alpha (SDF-1 alpha) in a thermosensitive chitosan-gelatin hydrogel improved the regeneration of the epithelium of the corneal damaged by alkali; limbal epithelial stem cells (LESCs) expressed the characteristic marker ∆Np63
Summary
The human cornea is a complex five-layer structure that both protects the eye and refracts light, contributing greatly to the eye’s optical power. Micromachines 2021, 12, 1336 and tightly woven; at the same time, they form multiple lamellae in the stroma and hexagonal lattice in Descemet’s membrane [2] This unique microarchitecture, on the one hand, maintains corneal shape, and on the other hand ensures transparency, these two factors being essential for proper light refraction [1]. State-of-the-art nanotechnology-based methods seem to be able to help in modulating these molecular mechanisms that are crucial for successful graft integration, helping to overcome some existing drawbacks in corneal tissue engineering. Modulating molecular interactions between native cells and the transplanted biomaterial through various physicochemical [19] and nanotechnological [20] approaches will help to guide the healing processes in the damaged corneal tissues and improve clinical outcomes in patients with corneal injuries and diseases
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