Corneal extracellular matrix

The **corneal extracellular matrix** is a specialized structure comprising various collagens (primarily type I, V, VI, and XII) and proteoglycans (e.g., keratocan, lumican, decorin, mimecan) that are essential for maintaining corneal transparency, biomechanical strength, and facilitating the passage of light to the retina[1][3]. It forms more than 90% of the corneal thickness and serves as the scaffold for corneal cells, especially keratocytes, which are responsible for continual ECM remodeling during homeostasis and repair. In response to injury or disease, keratocytes become activated and modify the ECM composition, but excessive or disorganized ECM deposition leads to corneal scarring and opacity. Current regenerative therapies focus on using stem cells, bioengineered hydrogels, and decellularized ECM materials to promote proper ECM regeneration, restore clarity, and support nerve and cellular in-growth[1][2][3][4]. "Corneal extracellular matrix regeneration" describes this reparative process, not a discrete target entity.

Other names

Corneal ECMCorneal matrixCorneal stromal matrix