title: [Study of limbal stem cells and related problems].
abstract: Basic and clinical research of limbal stem cells has enhanced the understanding of ocular surface diseases. This article analyzes the value and problems existing in the identification of limbal stem cells by anatomical location, proliferation capacity and the use of differentiating surface markers. The clinical methods for the diagnosis of limbal stem cell deficiency and the effects of limbal epithelial cell transplantation are reviewed. Some key problems that must be solved in the future such as the identification marker of limbal stem cells and the final outcome of transplanted cells are presented.
authors.affiliation: Beijing Tongren Eyebank, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital University of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China. panzhq@trhos.com
authors.forename: Zhi-qiang
authors.initials: ZQ
authors.lastname: Pan
mesh_terms: D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D016850:Limbus Corneae / Q000166:cytology*; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology*