Various approaches have been taken to improve our knowledge of the microenvironmental regulation of limbal epithelial stem cells. Researchers have extensively investigated the roles of growth factors, survival factors, cytokines, enzymes, and permeable molecules secreted by the limbal cells. However, recent evidence suggests that stem cell fate (i.e., self-renewal or differentiation) can also b...

Regeneration of the corneal surface after an epithelial insult involves division, migration, and maturation of a specialized group of stem cells located in the limbus. Several insults, both intrinsic and extrinsic, can precipitate destruction of the delicate microenvironment of these cells, resulting in limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD). In such cases, reepithelialization fails and conjunctiva...

PURPOSE Compounds regulating intracellular thiol redox status, such as N,N-diacetyl-L-cystine dimethylester (NM(2)), were shown to prolong corneal graft survival in a penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) model. However, the effect of NM(2) on hemangiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis has not been investigated. The effect of manipulating ambient thiol redox status on riskier (higher rejection rate) transp...

PURPOSE To evaluate the expression patterns of neurotrophic factors (NTFs) and their receptors in the human cornea with the intention of exploring the role of NTFs in maintaining corneal epithelial stem cells in the limbus. METHODS Fresh human corneoscleral tissues were prepared for frozen sections. Immunofluorescent staining was performed with primary antibodies against six members of three ...

The standard treatment for pterygium was surgical excision with bare sclera technique which was associated with a high recurrence rate. Therefore adjunct treatment options are used to reduce this recurrence, such as the use of beta radiation, conjunctiva auto graft, amniotic membrane grafting and mitomycin C (1,2). Pterygium recurrence is one of the challenging problem facing ophthalmologists d...

AIM To determine the immunohistochemical characteristics of putative corneal epithelial stem cells remaining on limbal explants maintained in culture. METHODS Human limbal explant cultures were generated from 25 residual corneoscleral donor rims following penetrating keratoplasty. Serial sections of these explants were studied using immunohistochemical techniques with a panel of antibodies, o...

Background: Dendritic cells (DCs) are the most potent stimulators of primary T cell responses and play a key role in immune reactions after stem cell transplantation. Very little is known about the cord blood (CB) dendritic cells and their potential involvement in the low incidence and lower severity of acute graft-versus-host disease after CB transplantation.   Objectives: The aim of this stud...

PURPOSE To investigate the clinical outcomes of cultivated corneal limbal epithelial transplantation (CLET) using human amniotic membrane for corneal limbal stem-cell deficiency. METHODS Prospective, noncomparative case series. Eighteen patients (19 eyes) with severe ocular surface diseases were chosen to undergo CLET using human amniotic membrane. Twelve eyes received auto-CLET, and seven ey...

Total bilateral Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency is a pathologic condition of the ocular surface due to loss corneal stem cells. Cultivated oral mucosa epithelial transplantation (COMET) only autologous successful treatment for this pathology in clinical application, although abnormal peripheric vascularization often occurs. Properly characterizing regenerated needed reliable follow-up. So far, univ...

CASE REPORT We present the case of a woman readmitted to our service to receive treatment for severe ophthalmic manifestations due to Lyell's syndrome. This intense affectation of the ocular surface along with limbal stem cell deficiency are grounds for treatment with Boston type 1 keratoprosthesis, which provided a stable and very satisfactory functional result. DISCUSSION As noted in this c...