BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE Ex vivo expansion of the limbal epithelial cells activates the nerve growth factor (NGF) mediated downstream signal transduction pathway. It is not clear as to which factors control the stemness of the corneal limbal stem cells, i.e., the maintenance of stem cell properties. It is likely that various signaling pathways are involved, including Notch, Wnt and NGF signaling,...

BACKGROUND Identification of stem cells from a corneal epithelial cell population by specific molecular markers has been investigated previously. Expressions of P63, ABCG2 and K14/K5 have all been linked to mammalian corneal epithelial stem cells. Here we report on the limitations of K14/K5 as a limbal stem cell marker. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS K14/K5 expression was measured by immunohi...

The article presents the modern treatment with stem cells in the reconstruction of ocular surface. The turnover of the stem cells, the location in the limbus areas, the importance of limbal stem cells presence, the clinical appearance of stem cell deficiency, investigations method for this illness and the management of stem cell deficiency (artificial lacrimal tear drops, mini scleral contact l...

PURPOSE To investigate whether mesenchymal-epithelial cell interactions, similar to those described in the limbal stem cell niche in transplant-expired human eye bank corneas, exist in freshly enucleated rabbit eyes and to identify matrix molecules in the anterior limbal stroma that might have the potential to help maintain the stem cell niche. METHODS Fresh limbal corneal tissue from adult J...

The aim of this study was to investigate the transdifferentiation potential of murine vibrissa hair follicle (HF) stem cells into corneal epithelial-like cells through modulation by corneal- or limbus-specific microenvironmental factors. Adult epithelial stem cells were isolated from the HF bulge region by mechanical dissection or fluorescence-activated cell sorting using antibodies to alpha6 i...

PURPOSE To report the results of one 60 degrees conjunctival limbal autograft (CLAU) combined with amniotic membrane (AM) transplantation for an eye with total limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD). METHODS One eye of a patient with chronic total LSCD and symblepharon caused by chemical burn was subjected to symblepharon lysis, removal of pannus from corneal surface, AM transplantation to cover ...

Purpose: To report the early results of transplantation of autologous limbal stem cells cultivated on amniotic membrane (AM) in patients with total unilateral limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD). Methods: Four eyes of 4 patients with total unilateral LSCD confirmed with impression cytology underwent transplantation of autologous limbal stem cell cultivated on AM. At each follow up visit, a compl...

Purpose Limbal epithelial stem cells (LSCs), located in the basal layer of the corneal epithelium in the corneal limbus, are vital for maintaining the corneal epithelium. LSCs have a high capacity of self-renewal with increased potential for error-free proliferation and poor differentiation. To date, limited research has focused on unveiling the composition of the limbal stem cell niche, and, m...

The cornea is essential for normal vision by maintaining transparency for light transmission. Limbal stem cells, which reside in the corneal periphery, contribute to the homeostasis of the corneal epithelium. Any damage or disease affecting the function of these cells may result in limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD). The condition may result in both severe pain and blindness. Transplantation of...