BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES Sources of autologous tissue that can functionally replace the corneal epithelium have been considered as an alternative to allogenous limbal transplants for limbal stem cells deficiency (LSCD). The aim of the present study was to compare the characterization of oral mucosa with limbal epithelial cells by markers using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-...

Nerve growth factor (NGF), a member of the neurotrophin family, has been identified as an essential growth factor supporting stem cell self-renewal outside the nervous system and was previously shown to stimulate corneal epithelial proliferation both in vivo and in vitro. In this study, we evaluated the expression of NGF and its corresponding receptors in the human corneal and limbal tissues, a...

Limbal stem cell (LSC) deficiency is a frequent and severe complication after chemical injury to the eye. Previous studies have assumed this mediated directly by caustic agent. Here we show that LSC damage occurs through immune mediators, even without direct LSCs. In particular, pH elevation in anterior chamber (AC) causes acute uveal stress, release of inflammatory cytokines at basal limbal ti...

The purpose of our review was to familiarize the readers with the new concepts in ocular surface diseases and reconstruction. Limbal stem cell deficiency is characterized by the progressive invasion of conjunctival epithelial cells onto the cornea, superficial vascularisation, destruction of the corneal basement membrane, and chronic inflammatory cell infiltration. Depending on the severity of ...

PURPOSE To develop a device that facilitates the procurement of corneal limbal stem cell grafts for keratolimbal allograft procedures used in the treatment of ocular surface disease associated with stem cell deficiency. DESIGN Description of device design and technique for use. METHODS The device is composed of a pedestal with a convex surface mounted to a flat platform. A corneoscleral but...

Transplantation of cultivated limbal epithelium on substrates such as amniotic membrane is an established treatment for severe ocular surface disease with limbal stem cell deficiency. In this study, we adapted an established method to generate sheets of limbal epithelium on amniotic membrane and characterized the cells contained in these sheets and tested them for safety with regard to microbia...