Single-cell analysis of heterogeneity and molecular changes in cultured corneal epithelial stem cells during serial passage.

ABSTRACT: The maintenance of corneal epithelial homeostasis relies on limbal stem cells (LSCs) located at the limbus. Although short-term cultured LSC transplantation effectively treats LSC deficiency, prolonged culture leads to stemness loss and abortive colony formation, and the mechanisms remain elusive. In this study, we employed single-cell transcriptomics to investigate LSC population dynamics and changes in gene expression during extended serial culture. Transcriptomic data from 22 708 cells revealed 19 clusters, identifying 3 distinct limbal progenitor populations (Progenitors 1-3) with unique transcriptional profiles and cell division kinetics. All progenitor subgroups expressed stemness-related genes such as ANLN, AURKB, and HMGB2 and were detected at all stages of the cell cycle. Notably,

SUBMITTER: Reinprayoon U 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12463447 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature