Limbal Stem Cells and Corneal Epithelial Regeneration: Current Status and Prospectives

The clear cornea functions like a window that controls the entry of light for visual information and plays a protective role. The failure of appropriate repair following corneal injury results in loss of corneal function. The limbal region of the cornea is thought to serve as a unique reservoir of corneal epithelial stem cells where limbal stem cells (LSC) contributed to the regeneration of corneal epithelium. The deficiency of LSC (LSCD) results in the failed regeneration of corneal epithelium following injuries. In this review, we discuss the current knowledge of LSC and LSC-based transplantation for regeneration of corneal epithelium. We will first review the latest development of corneal structures. Next we will introduce the concept of LSC and the associated debates. Third, we will review different LSC-based transplantation methods for LSCD treatment and compare their advantages and disadvantages. Finally, we will discuss the improvements of regeneration of corneal epithelium. Citation: Yan L, Jiang D, He J, Wong DSH, Lian Q. Limbal Stem Cells and Corneal Epithelial Regeneration: Current Status and Prospectives. J Ocular Biol. 2014;2(1): 10. J Ocular Biol 2(1): 10 (2014) Page 02 ISSN: 2334-2838 blinking, dead squamous cells are sloughed from the corneal epithelium. The corneal epithelium is subject to a constant cycle of cell renewal approximately every 9-12 months [4]. Epithelial cell loss from the corneal surface was defined in the “X, Y, Z hypothesis” by Thoft and Friend in 1983 [5]. The naturally desquamated epithelial cells (Z) are constantly replaced by proliferating and dividing cells at the basal epithelium (X), and cells which can migrate to the centre from the periphery (Y).