Human umbilical cord-mesenchymal stem cells: a promising strategy for corneal epithelial regeneration.

As a strategy to improve the outcome of cultivated corneal epithelial transplantation, the role of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) is investigated in promoting corneal epithelial growth and functions. Human telomerase-immortalized corneal epithelial cells were characterized and its functions evaluated by scratch migration assay, cellular senescence, HLA expression and spheres formation with hUC-MSC. Expression of corneal epithelial markers was influenced by the duration and method of co-culture.

A Concise Review on Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Tissue Engineering with a Perspective on Ocular Surface Regeneration.

Organ and tissue transplantation are limited by the scarcity of donated organs or tissue sources. The success of transplantation is limited by the risk of disease transmission and immunological- related rejection. There is a need for new strategies and innovative solutions to make transplantation readily available, safer and with less complications to increase the success rates.