Limbal stem cell

Limbal stem cells (also called corneal epithelial stem cells) are stem cells located in the basal epithelial layer of the corneal limbus.[1] Characteristics of limbal stem include slow turnover rate, high proliferative potential, clonogenicity, multipotency, expression of stem cell markers, and the ability to regenerate the entire corneal epithelium. Proliferation of limbal stem cells maintains the cornea; for example, replacing cells that are lost via tears. Limbal stem cells also prevent the conjunctival epithelial cells from migrating onto the surface of the cornea.[2][3]

Damage to the limbus can lead to limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD), which can be caused by burns, radiation, genetic disorders, surgeries, infection, use of contact lenses, or drug use. Signs and symptoms include conjunctivalisation, corneal vascularisation, edema, ocular discomfort or pain, poor vision, and blindness, which are likely associated with failure in the process of regenerating the corneal epithelium.[2][3] Most treatments for LSCD are palliative, but severe LSCD due to burns can be treated by stem cell-based regenerative medicine.[4] In 2015, the European Commission approved a stem cell therapy for people with severe LSCD due to burns,[5][6] which was the first time that a stem cell therapy other than the use of umbilical cord stem cells was allowed to be sold by any regulatory agency in the world.[7]

References

  1. ↑ Li DQ, Wang Z, Yoon KC, Bian F (2014). "Characterization, isolation, expansion and clinical therapy of human corneal epithelial stem/progenitor cells.". J Stem Cells. 9 (2): 79–91. PMID 25158157.
  2. 1 2 Yoon JJ, Ismail S, Sherwin T (2014). "Limbal stem cells: Central concepts of corneal epithelial homeostasis.". World J Stem Cells. 6 (4): 391–403. doi:10.4252/wjsc.v6.i4.391. PMC 4172668Freely accessible. PMID 25258661.
  3. 1 2 Dua HS, Azuara-Blanco A (2000). "Limbal stem cells of the corneal epithelium.". Surv Ophthalmol. 44 (5): 415–25. PMID 10734241.
  4. ↑ Pellegrini G, Rama P, Di Rocco A, Panaras A, De Luca M (2014). "Concise review: hurdles in a successful example of limbal stem cell-based regenerative medicine.". Stem Cells. 32 (1): 26–34. doi:10.1002/stem.1517. PMID 24038592.
  5. ↑ European Medicines Agency. "First stem-cell therapy recommended for approval in EU". Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  6. ↑ Knapton, Sarah (19 December 2014). "First stem-cell therapy approved for medical use in Europe". The Telegraph. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  7. ↑ Abbott, Alison (3 March 2015). "Behind the scenes of the world's first commercial stem-cell therapy". Nature News. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
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