Ex vivo expanded SSEA-4+ human limbal stromal cells are multipotent and do not express other embryonic stem cell markers.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

The presence of multipotent human limbal stromal cells resembling mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) provides new insights to the characteristic of these cells and its therapeutic potential. However, little is known about the expression of stage-specific embryonic antigen 4 (SSEA-4) and the embryonic stem cell (ESC)-like properties of these cells. We studied the expression of SSEA-4 surface protein and the various ESC and MSC markers in the ex vivo cultured limbal stromal cells. The phenotypes and multipotent differentiation potential of these cells were also evaluated.

Methods

Limbal stromal cells were derived from corneoscleral rims. The SSEA-4(+) and SSEA-4(-) limbal stromal cells were sorted by fluorescence-activated cells sorting (FACS). Isolated cells were expande

SUBMITTER: Lim MN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3365132 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature