Three-dimensional (3D) in vitro models are excellent tools for studying complex biological systems because of their physiological similarity to in vivo studies, cost-effectiveness and decreased reliance on animals. The influence of tissue microenvironment on the cells, cell-cell interaction and the cell-matrix interactions can be elucidated in 3D models, which are difficult to mimic in 2D cultures. In order to develop a 3D model, the required cell types are derived from the tissues or stem cells. A 3D tissue/organ model typically includes all the relevant cell types and the microenvironment corresponding to that tissue/organ. For instance, a full corneal 3D model is expected to have epithelial, stromal, endothelial and nerve cells, along with the extracellular matrix and membrane components associated with the cells. Although it is challenging to develop a corneal 3D model, several attempts have been made and various technologies established which closely mimic the in vivo environment. In this review, three major technologies are highlighted: organotypic cultures, organoids and 3D bioprinting. Also, several combinations of organotypic cultures, such as the epithelium and stroma or endothelium and neural cultures are discussed, along with the disease relevance and potential applications of these models. In the future, new biomaterials will likely promote better cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions in organotypic corneal cultures.

三维 (3D) 体外模型是研究复杂生物系统的绝佳工具，因为它们与体内研究的生理相似性、成本效益和减少对动物的依赖。组织微环境对细胞、细胞-细胞相互作用和细胞-基质相互作用的影响可以在 3D 模型中阐明，这在 2D 培养中难以模拟。为了开发 3D 模型，所需的细胞类型来自组织或干细胞。3D 组织/器官模型通常包括所有相关的细胞类型和与该组织/器官对应的微环境。例如，完整的角膜 3D 模型预计具有上皮细胞、基质细胞、内皮细胞和神经细胞，以及与细胞相关的细胞外基质和膜成分。尽管开发角膜 3D 模型具有挑战性，但已经进行了多次尝试并建立了各种技术来密切模仿体内环境。在这篇综述中，重点介绍了三种主要技术：器官培养、类器官和 3D 生物打印。此外，还讨论了器官型培养物的几种组合，例如上皮和基质或内皮和神经培养物，以及这些模型的疾病相关性和潜在应用。未来，新的生物材料可能会促进器官型角膜培养中更好的细胞-细胞和细胞-基质相互作用。类器官和 3D 生物打印。此外，还讨论了器官型培养物的几种组合，例如上皮和基质或内皮和神经培养物，以及这些模型的疾病相关性和潜在应用。未来，新的生物材料可能会促进器官型角膜培养中更好的细胞-细胞和细胞-基质相互作用。类器官和 3D 生物打印。此外，还讨论了器官型培养物的几种组合，例如上皮和基质或内皮和神经培养物，以及这些模型的疾病相关性和潜在应用。未来，新的生物材料可能会促进器官型角膜培养中更好的细胞-细胞和细胞-基质相互作用。