Human immature dental pulp stem cells share key characteristic features with limbal stem cells.

摘要: Objectives:  Limbal stem cells (LSC) are self-renewing, highly proliferative in vitro, which express a set of specific markers and in vivo have the capacity to reconstruct entire corneal epithelium in cases ocular surface injury. Currently, LSC transplantation is commonly used procedure patients with either uni- or bilateral total limbal deficiency (TLSCD). Although holds great promise for patients, several problems need be overcome. In order find an alternative source that can partially substitute cornea reconstruction, we aimed at investigating whether human immature dental pulp (hIDPSC) would present similar key characteristics as they could reconstruction rabbit TLSCD model. Materials:  We hIDPSC, co-express mesenchymal embryonic cell differentiate into derivative three germinal layers. was induced by chemical burn one eye rabbits. After 30 days, opaque tissue formed removed superficial keratectomy. Experimental group received undifferentiated while control only amniotic membrane (AM). Both groups were sacrificed after 3 months. Results conclusions:  demonstrated, using immunohistochemistry reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction, hIDPSCs common LSC, such ABCG2, integrin β1, vimentin, p63, connexin 43 cytokeratins 3/12. They also capable reconstructing induction unilateral rabbits, shown morphological immunohistochemical analysis human-specific antibodies against epithelium. Our data suggest share might potential reconstruction.