The efficacy of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells in restoring limbal stem cell deficiency in rat model.

ABSTRACT: This approach aimed to assess the therapeutic significance of BM-MSCs in alleviating LSCD elicited in rats via corneal alkali burns and to explore the associated repairing mechanisms. Rats were assigned to (1) control group, (2) alkali burn group, and (3) stem cells group. Corneal surface investigations were performed using a slit lamp and fluorescence tests. The therapeutic impact of BM-MSCs was appraised by estimating the protein levels of TNF-α, SOD, VEGF, MMP-2, and IL-8 using ELISA. Moreover, mRNA transcription levels of corneal TNF-α, NF-kB, COX-2, and caspase-3 were quantified. Histological investigation and immunostaining of corneal cytokeratin 3 and p63 proteins were also conducted. The results indicated that BM-MSCs treatment enhanced the corneal wound healing, decreased corneal

SUBMITTER: El-Desouky MA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12638304 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature