Pre-Clinical Evaluation of Efficacy and Safety of Human Limbus-Derived Stromal/Mesenchymal Stem Cells with and without Alginate Encapsulation for Future Clinical Applications.

Corneal opacification or scarring is one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide. Human limbus-derived stromal/mesenchymal stem cells (hLMSCs) have the potential of clearing corneal scarring. In the current preclinical studies, we aimed to determine their ability to heal the scarred corneas, in a murine model of corneal scar, and examined their ocular and systemic toxicity after topical administration to rabbit eyes.