Adult Human Corneal Epithelial Stem Cells

摘要: The cornea’s accessibility and visualization with minimally invasive techniques renders it an ideal organ to study SC their differentiated progeny. limbus houses, nurtures, protects a rare population of epithelial stem cells which play critical role in the long-term maintenance cornea. Despite absence exclusive marker that identifies these pinpoint accuracy, significant advances have been made towards identifying, isolating, cultivating, transplanting limbal (LESC) for corneal reconstruction. However, determining signals, factors, mechanisms maintain “stemness” vitro situ has proven major obstacles progressing field. Knowledge key molecules comprise niche signaling pathways genetic programs dictate LESC quiescence differentiation is essential improve current develop effective next-generation cell-based therapies. This chapter will highlight limitations controversies field summarize concepts experimental paradigms inspired researchers cell therapies patients blinding disease.