Schwann Cells Are Key Regulators of Corneal Epithelial Renewal.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Corneal sensory nerves protect the cornea from injury. They are also thought to stimulate limbal stem cells (LSCs) to produce transparent epithelial cells constantly, enabling vision. In other organs, Schwann cells (SCs) associated with tissue-innervating axon terminals mediate tissue regeneration. This study defines the critical role of the corneal axon-ensheathing SCs in homeostatic and regenerative corneal epithelial cell renewal.

Methods

SC localization in the cornea was determined by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry with SC markers. In vivo SC visualization and/or ablation were performed in mice with inducible corneal SC-specific expression of tdTomato and/or Diphtheria toxin, respectively. The relative locations of SCs and LSCs were observed with

SUBMITTER: Mirmoeini K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10103722 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature