title: Vision from the right stem.
abstract: Cultures of limbal cells are a safe and effective treatment for the destruction of the human cornea owing to chemical burns. The essential feature of the graft is the presence of an adequate number of stem cells, which can be determined by the expression of the p63 transcription factor. Here, we will discuss the general principles defining the rigorous criteria for graftable limbal cultures in light of their clinical performances. Such criteria might prove relevant to the future therapeutic use of any cultured cell type.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Regenerative Medicine "Stefano Ferrari", University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Graziella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pellegrini
authors.affiliation: San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Ophthalmology Unit, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rama
authors.affiliation: Centre for Regenerative Medicine "Stefano Ferrari", University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Luca
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002057:Burns, Chemical / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D065306:Corneal Injuries / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016850:Limbus Corneae / Q000166:cytology; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: C081876:CKAP4 protein, human; D008565:Membrane Proteins