Abstract
Cumulative reported evidence indicates that some fraction of limbal basal epithelial cells are the stem cells for corneal epithelial cell proliferation and differentiation. Limbal epithelium is therefore crucial in maintaining the cell mass of corneal epithelium under normal conditions and plays an important role in corneal epithelial wound healing. Deficiency or absence of limbal stem cells explains well the pathogenesis of several ocular surface disorders characterised by defective conjunctival transdifferentiation or conjunctivalisation of cornea. This paper reviews and updates the basic concept of stem cells, the reported findings of limbal stem cells for corneal epithelium, and their therapeutic applications. Through this review, one hopes to gain a more complete understanding and increase proficiency in treating these diseases.
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This investigation was supported in part by Public Health Service Research Grant #EY06819 (SCGT), and in part by a Core Grant #EY02180 Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Eye Institute, Bethesda, Maryland 20205.
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Tseng, S. Concept and application of limbal stem cells. Eye 3, 141–157 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1038/eye.1989.22
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/eye.1989.22
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