Page 115 - IJB-10-2

International

Journal of Bioprinting

REVIEW ARTICLE
Advances in tissue engineering and 3D

bioprinting for corneal regeneration

Tamás Monostori 1,2,3 , Diána Szűcs 1,2,3 , Borbála Lovászi 1,2,3 , Lajos Kemény , and
3,4
Zoltán Veréb 1,3*
1 Regenerative Medicine and Cellular Pharmacology Laboratory (HECRIN), Department of
Dermatology and Allergology, Faculty of Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged,
Szeged, Hungary
2 Doctoral School of Clinical Medicine, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
3
Centre of Excellence for Interdisciplinary Research, Development and Innovation, University of
Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
4 Hungarian Centre of Excellence for Molecular Medicine-USz Skin Research Group, University of
Szeged, Szeged, Hungary

Abstract

Blindness resulting from corneal damage affects millions of people worldwide.
The scarcity of corneal donors adds a layer of complexity to patient treatment.
Consequently, exploring artificial cornea substitutes has become imperative in the
realm of clinical research. Scientific advancements have ushered in a plethora of
innovative solutions, including keratoprostheses or decellularized cornea scaffolds.
The development of three-dimensional (3D) printing has further expanded the
horizons of research in this field, delving into the feasibility of bioprinted corneas
and yielding numerous promising outcomes. However, the manufacturing of corneal
products via 3D printing poses a substantial challenge, demanding a meticulous
*Corresponding author:
Zoltán Veréb selection of materials and techniques to ensure the transparency and preservation of
(vereb.zoltan@med.u-szeged.hu) the optical and mechanical properties of the artificial cornea. In the review, we present
Citation: Monostori T, Szűcs D, the artificial cornea substitutes. Additionally, we aim to provide a concise overview of
Lovászi B, Kemény L, Veréb Z. the 3D printing techniques and materials applicable to corneal bioprinting.
Advances in tissue engineering
and 3D bioprinting for corneal
regeneration. Int J Bioprint. Keywords: Cornea; Blindness; Artificial cornea; 3D printing; Stem cells
2024;10(2):1669
doi: 10.36922/ijb.1669
Received: August 23, 2023
Accepted: October 31, 2023
Published Online: January 16, 2024 1. Introduction
Copyright: © 2024 Author(s). Corneal blindness constitutes a significant global health challenge, with multifaceted
This is an Open Access article etiologies including infections, scarring, and corneal dystrophy. Corneal transplants are
distributed under the terms of the
Creative Commons Attribution undertaken for various reasons, with bullous keratopathy emerging as the predominant
License, permitting distribution, indication in developed countries, while infections and scarring are more prevalent
and reproduction in any medium, causes in developing countries. 1
provided the original work is
properly cited. As per the World Health Organization (WHO), the global population of blind
Publisher’s Note: AccScience individuals stands at 45 million, a figure that may escalate rapidly given the rise in life
Publishing remains neutral with expectancy. A study conducted in the United Kingdom between 2008 and 2011 revealed
2
regard to jurisdictional claims in a breakdown of corneal transplant indications, with keratoconus accounting for 27.4%,
published maps and institutional
affiliations. Fuchs’ dystrophy for 25.8%, cataract-caused endothelial dysfunction for 21%, infections

Volume 10 Issue 2 (2024) 107 doi: 10.36922/ijb.1669