[Research advance of corneal tissue engineering].
OBJECTIVE
To review research progress of corneal tissue engineering.


METHODS
The recent articles on corneal tissue engineering focus on source and selection of corneal cells, the effects of growth factors on culture of corneal cells in vitro. The preparation and selection of three-dimensional biomaterial scaffolds and their strong and weak points were discussed.


RESULTS
The corneal tissue engineering cells come from normal human corneal cells. The embryo corneal cell was excellent. Several kinds of growth factors play important roles in culture, growth and proliferation of corneal cell, and incorporated into matrix. Growth factors including basic fibroblast growth factor, keratinocyte growth factor, transforming growth factor beta 1 and epidermal growth factor was favor to corneal cell. Collagen, chitosan and glycosaninoglycans were chosen as biomaterial scaffolds.


CONCLUSIONS
Human tissue engineering cornea can be reconstructed and transplanted. It has good tissue compatibility and can be used as human corneal equivalents.
Li
Qin-hua
QH
Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510632, P. R. China.
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D048271:Chitosan; D003094:Collagen; D003315:Cornea / Q000166:cytology*; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000494:pharmacology; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors / Q000494:pharmacology; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000494:pharmacology
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; D006133:Growth Substances; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D003094:Collagen; D048271:Chitosan