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International Journal of Bioprinting 3D bioprinting for corneal regeneration

Figure 3. Stem cells in bioprinting: the processes from isolation to research experiments.

In this context, however, a method for the clinical For example, Isaacson et al. successfully applied 3D
replacement of the stroma with bioprinted artificial printing to fabricate a stroma with a scaffold composed
cornea substitutes remains elusive. A substantial portion of biotin-containing sodium alginate and methacrylated
6
of the current research is situated within the phases of in type I collagen. In the study, they utilized extrusion-
vitro studies and in vivo animal experiments, with only a based bioprinting to craft the artificial stroma, embedding
handful of methodologies progressing to the clinical trial human keratocyte cells in an alginate/methacrylated
6
phase. Throughout these investigations, the overarching type I collagen hydrogel for their 3D-printed construct.
objective is to create a viable cornea capable of replacing In another study, Sorkio et al. explored the utilization
either the cornea organ or specific components thereof of biotinylated human and recombinant materials for
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constructing artificial corneas. Employing human
(Table 2). The integration of 3D bioprinting, coupled with embryonic stem cell-derived limbal epithelial stem cells
the biotinylation of individual matrix components (such as (hESC-LESCs) and human adipose tissue-derived stem
fibronectin), has gained prominence in research endeavors. cells (hASCs), they utilized laser-assisted bioprinting
These techniques aim to fabricate implants that closely (LASP) to create an artificial cornea model. The hydrogel
mimic native tissue. Notably, several research groups have matrix for hESC-LESCs comprised human recombinant
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achieved success in generating 3D bioprinted constructs, laminin and type I collagen, while for hASCs, a hydrogel
marking a significant stride toward the development of consisting of type 1 collagen, EDTA, thrombin, and plasma
products applicable to corneal reconstruction (Table 3). was employed. While the results from their artificial cornea

Volume 10 Issue 2 (2024) 119 doi: 10.36922/ijb.1669