title: Corneal epithelial stem cells: characterization, culture and transplantation.
abstract: The epithelium covering the cornea at the front of the eye is maintained by stem cells located at its periphery, in a region known as the limbus. A lack or dysfunction of these so-called limbal stem cells (LSCs) results in the painful and blinding disease of LSC deficiency. In this review, current knowledge regarding the biology of these particular stem cells will be outlined, including recent advances that are enabling the gene expression analysis of these cells. The use of LSCs in therapeutic interventions for LSC deficiency will also be discussed, including the role for ex vivo expansion. In particular, the translation of basic science advances in LSC biology into therapeutic strategies will be highlighted.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Stem Cell Biology and Developmental Genetics, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Central Parkway, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. sajjad.ahmad@ncl.ac.uk
authors.forename: Sajjad
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ahmad
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Figueiredo
authors.forename: Majlinda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lako
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001485:Basement Membrane / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology / Q000637:transplantation*; D022001:Focal Adhesions / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D016850:Limbus Corneae / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D008954:Models, Biological; D012038:Regeneration; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers