Purpose: This study aims to clarify the existence of and to map the localization of different proposed stem cell niches in the corneal limbal region.
Materials And Methods: One human eye was cut into 2200 consecutive sections. Every other section was stained with haematoxylin and eosin, digitized at low and high magnification, aligned, 3D reconstructed and visualized using interactive 3D visualization software. The visualization software has interactive tools that make free rotations in all directions possible and makes it possible to create virtual sections independent of the original cutting plan. In all, one low-magnification and 24 high-magnification interactive 3D models were created. Immunohistochemistry against stem cell markers p63 and ΔNp63α was performed as a supplement to the 3D models.
Results: Using the interactive 3D models, we identified three types of stem cell niches in the limbal region: limbal epithelial crypts (LECs), limbal crypts (LCs) and focal stromal projections (FSPs). In all, eight LECs, 25 LCs and 105 FSPs were identified in the limbal region. The LECs, LCs and FSPs were predominantly located in the superior limbal region with seven LECs, 19 LCs and 93 FSPs in the superior limbal region and one LEC, six LCs and 12 FSPs in the inferior limbal region. Only few LECs, LCs and FSPs were localized nasally and temporally.
Conclusion: Interactive 3D models are a powerful tool that may help to shed more light on the existence and spatial localization of the different stem cell niches (LECs, LCs and FSPs) in the corneal limbal region.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1755-3768.2012.02446.x | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Posterior Limbal Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Promote Proliferation and Stemness of Transition Zone Cells: A Novel Insight Into Corneal Endothelial Rejuvenation.
Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci
January 2025
Department of Ophthalmology, New Zealand National Eye Centre, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
Purpose: Progenitors for the corneal endothelium have been identified in the transition zone (TZ), but their cellular interactions remain undefined. Posterior limbal mesenchymal stromal cells (P-LMSCs) may support TZ cells in the posterior limbus. This study aims to characterize P-LMSCs and investigate their effects on TZ cells.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDefinitive Treatment of Lisch Epithelial Corneal Dystrophy via Staged Keratectomy and Targeted Minor Limbal Excision With Cautery.
Cornea
November 2024
Tennent Institute of Ophthalmology, Gartnavel General Hospital, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
Purpose: We demonstrate a novel approach for the definitive treatment of Lisch epithelial corneal dystrophy via an unintentionally staged alcohol keratectomy and intentionally targeted minor limbal excision with cautery.
Methods: A 46-year-old woman presented with visually significant corneal changes, suspected to be Lisch epithelial corneal dystrophy after clinical examination, anterior segment optical coherence tomography, and confocal microscopy. Alcohol keratectomy was performed with complete resolution, but there was visually significant recurrence at 2 years.
An Optimized Method to Produce Human-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Limbal Stem Cells Easily Adaptable for Clinical Use.
Stem Cells Dev
December 2024
Cell Therapy Service, Banc de Sang i Teixits (BST), Passeig Taulat 116, 08005, Barcelona, Spain.
In adults, the limbal stem cells (LSC) reside in the limbal region of the eye, at the junction of the cornea and the sclera where they renew the outer epithelial layer of the cornea assuring transparency. LSC deficiencies (LSCD) due to disease or injury account for one of the major causes of blindness. Among current treatments for LSCD, cornea transparency can be restored by providing new LSC to the damaged eye and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) holds great promise as a new advanced cell source.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInduced pluripotent stem-cell-derived corneal epithelium for transplant surgery: a single-arm, open-label, first-in-human interventional study in Japan.
Lancet
November 2024
Department of Ophthalmology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan; Integrated Frontier Research for Medical Science Division, Institute for Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiatives, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan; Premium Research Institute for Human Metaverse Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan. Electronic address:
Background: The loss of corneal epithelial stem cells from the limbus at the edge of the cornea has severe consequences for vision, with the pathological manifestations of a limbal stem-cell deficiency (LSCD) difficult to treat. Here, to the best of our knowledge, we report the world's first use of corneal epithelial cell sheets derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to treat LSCD.
Methods: This non-randomised, single-arm, clinical study involved four eyes of four patients with LSCD at the Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka University Hospital.
Pediatric limbal stem cell deficiency: An overview of a rarely studied pathology.
Eur J Ophthalmol
October 2024
Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey.
The cornea is the outermost transparent layer of the eye, and the continuous renewal of the corneal epithelium is important for its transparency. This process is primarily facilitated by corneal stem cells, most of which are found at the limbus. However, any deterioration or damage in this region leads to corneal conjunctivalization and consequent limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD), which compromises corneal transparency.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!