Differences in sphere-forming cells from keratoconic and normal corneal tissue: Implications for keratoconus pathogenesis.

Keratoconus is primarily an anterior corneal disorder of unclear aetiology. Stem cells may play a role in the perpetuation of keratoconus, although this has yet to be definitively established. Sphere-forming cells from normal human donor corneas have previously been shown to be a heterogenous mix of epithelial, stromal, stem and progenitor cell components which have potential for treatment of corneal dystrophies.

Implantation of Human Peripheral Corneal Spheres into Cadaveric Human Corneal Tissue.

Stem and progenitor cells isolated from human limbal tissue can be cultured as spheres. These spheres have potential for use as transplantable elements for the repopulation of corneal tissue ( Mathan , 2016 ). Herein we describe the detailed protocol for the implantation of human corneal spheres into cadaveric human corneal tissue.

Sphere-forming cells from peripheral cornea demonstrate the ability to repopulate the ocular surface.

Background: The limbus forms the outer rim of the cornea at the corneoscleral junction and harbours a population of stem cells for corneal maintenance. Injuries to the limbus, through disease or accidents such as chemical injuries or burns, may lead to significant visual impairment due to depletion of the native stem cells of the tissue.

Methods: Sphere-forming cells were isolated from peripheral cornea for potential use as transplantable elements for limbal stem cell repopulation and limbal reconstruction.

Comparison of stem cell properties in cell populations isolated from human central and limbal corneal epithelium.

Purpose: The limbus of the cornea is said to be the niche for limbal stem cells (LSCs) and the primary source of corneal epithelial maintenance. Previously, we aimed to have shown that central human epithelial cells are capable of corneal regeneration after wounding. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether central epithelial cells in human corneas have LSC properties.