title: A method for quantifying limbal stem cell niches using OCT imaging.
abstract: To evaluate the efficacy of Fourier domain-optical coherence tomography (FD-OCT) in imaging and quantifying the limbal palisades of Vogt and to correlate these images with histological findings.
  
  
  
  The superior and inferior limbal region of both eyes of 50 healthy volunteers were imaged by FD-OCT. Images were processed and analysed using Matlab software. In vitro immunofluorescent staining of a cadaveric donor limbus was analysed to correlate the presence of stem cells in the visualised structures.
  
  
  
  FD-OCT could successfully visualise limbal crypts and the palisades of Vogt in the limbus region. Fluorescent labelling confirmed the presence of stem cells in these structures. The mean palisade ridge width (ΔPR) and the mean interpalisade epithelial rete peg width (ΔERP) were both of the order of 72 μm, leading to a palisade density (PD) of about7.4 palisades/mm. A significant difference in ΔPR, ΔERPand PD was seen between the inferior and superior sides of the right eye and the superior sides of the left and right eye(p<0.05.). A significant influence of iris colour on parameters ΔPR, ΔERPand PD was found, and of age on PD and ΔERP(p<0.05).
  
  
  
  In vivo OCT imaging is a safe and effective modality to image the limbus and can be used to visualise the palisades of Vogt. Image processing using Matlab software enabled quantification and density calculation of imaged limbal palisades of Vogt. This technique may enhance targeted limbal biopsies for transplantation.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Ophthalmology, Visual Optics and Visual Rehabilitation, Antwerp University, Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium.|Department of Ophthalmology, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium.
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Haagdorens
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Ophthalmology, Visual Optics and Visual Rehabilitation, Antwerp University, Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium.|Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Brussels, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Joséphine
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Behaegel
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Ophthalmology, Visual Optics and Visual Rehabilitation, Antwerp University, Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium.|Department of Ophthalmology, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium.
authors.forename: Jos
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rozema
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Ophthalmology, Visual Optics and Visual Rehabilitation, Antwerp University, Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium.
authors.forename: Veerle
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Van Gerwen
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium.
authors.forename: Sofie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Michiels
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Ophthalmology, Visual Optics and Visual Rehabilitation, Antwerp University, Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium.|Department of Ophthalmology, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium.
authors.forename: Sorcha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ní Dhubhghaill
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Ophthalmology, Visual Optics and Visual Rehabilitation, Antwerp University, Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium.|Department of Ophthalmology, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium.
authors.forename: Marie-José
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Tassignon
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Ophthalmology, Visual Optics and Visual Rehabilitation, Antwerp University, Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium.|Department of Ophthalmology, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium.|Center for Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium.
authors.forename: Nadia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zakaria
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000166:cytology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D005583:Fourier Analysis; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D016850:Limbus Corneae / Q000166:cytology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055153:Stem Cell Niche / Q000502:physiology; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Cornea; Imaging; Physiology; Stem Cells