title: Isolation and culture of basal cells of the human corneal epithelium.
abstract: The present study introduces a method that permits the isolation of a pure population of viable basal cells of the human corneal epithelium. We demonstrate that this population can be maintained in culture with a maintained epithelial phenotype, DNA-synthesis, migratory and mitotic activity. The isolation procedure permits evaluation of the adhesion between cells in the epithelium and of the surface morphology and histological organisation of the basal cells. This organization is demonstrated to be far more complex than previously recognized. The culture system permits evaluation of the in vitro behaviour of a basal cell population without contaminating superficial cells or stromal cells.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pathology, University of Oslo, Rikshospitalet, Norway.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Håskjold
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nicolaissen
mesh_terms: D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002455:Cell Division; D002469:Cell Separation / Q000379:methods; D003315:Cornea / Q000166:cytology*; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D006801:Humans; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques