Existence of slow-cycling limbal epithelial basal cells that can be preferentially stimulated to proliferate: implications on epithelial stem cells.
Despite the obvious importance of epithelial stem cells in tissue homeostasis and tumorigenesis, little is known about their specific location or biological characteristics. Using 3H-thymidine labeling, we have identified a subpopulation of corneal epithelial basal cells, located in the peripheral cornea in a region called limbus, that are normally slow cycling, but can be stimulated to proliferate in response to wounding and to a tumor promotor, TPA. No such cells can be detected in the central corneal epithelium, suggesting that corneal epithelial stem cells are located in the limbus. A comparison of various types of epithelial stem cells revealed a common set of features, including their preferred location, pigment protection, and growth properties, which presumably play a crucial role in epithelial stem cell function.
Cotsarelis
G
G
Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia 19104.
Cheng
S Z
SZ
Dong
G
G
Sun
T T
TT
Lavker
R M
RM
D000818:Animals; D001345:Autoradiography; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D003315:Cornea / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D065306:Corneal Injuries; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D004848:Epithelium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D051379:Mice; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate; D013936:Thymidine / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors; D014945:Wound Healing
D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate; D013936:Thymidine