3D bioprinting of corneal decellularized extracellular matrix: GelMA composite hydrogel for corneal stroma engineering

Millions of individuals across the world suffer from corneal stromal diseasesthat impair vision. Fortunately, three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting technologywhich has revolutionized the field of regenerative tissue engineering makes itfeasible to create personalized corneas. In this study, an artificial corneawith a high degree of precision, smoothness, and programmable curvature wasprepared by using digital light processing (DLP) 3D bioprinting in one piecewith no support structure, and the construct was then confirmed by opticalcoherence tomography (OCT). On the basis of this approach, we developed a novelcorneal decellularized extracellular matrix/gelatin methacryloyl (CECM-GelMA)bioink that can produce complex microenvironments with highly tunable mechanicalproperties while retaining high optical transmittance. Furthermore, thecomposite hydrogel was loaded with human corneal fibroblasts (hCFs), and in vitro experiments showed that the hydrogel maintainedhigh cell viability and expressed core proteins. In vivo testsrevealed that the hydrogel might promote epithelial regeneration, keep thematrix aligned, and restore clarity. This demonstrates how crucial a role CECMplays in establishing a favorable environment that encourages the transformationof cell function. Therefore, artificial corneas that can be rapidly customizedhave a huge potential in the development of in vitro cornealmatrix analogs.