title: The vertebrate corneal epithelium: from early specification to constant renewal.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The cornea is an ectodermal/neural crest derivative formed through a cascade of molecular mechanisms to give rise to the specific optical features necessary for its refractory function. Moreover, during cornea formation and maturation, epithelial stem cells are sequestered to ensure a constant source for renewal in the adult.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Recent progress in the molecular and stem cell biology of corneal morphogenesis and renewal shows that it can serves as a paradigm for epithelial /mesenchymal organ biology. This review will synthesize historical knowledge together with recent data to present a consistent overview of cornea specification, formation, maturation, and maintenance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This should be of interest not only to developmental biologists but also ophthalmologists, as several human vision problems are known to be rooted in defects in corneal development.
authors.affiliation: University Joseph Fourier, AGIM FRE CNRS 3405 Site Santé, Centre Jean Roget, La Tronche, France.
authors.forename: Danielle
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dhouailly
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Pearton
authors.forename: Frederic
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Michon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D019521:Body Patterning / Q000502:physiology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D003315:Cornea / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000196:embryology*; D006801:Humans; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology; D009024:Morphogenesis; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology; D014714:Vertebrates / Q000196:embryology*
keywords: ectoderm; embryo; lens; morphogenesis; neural crest cells; stem cells