Therapeutic Strategies for Restoring Perturbed Corneal Epithelial Homeostasis in Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency: Current Trends and Future Directions.

ABSTRACT: Limbal stem cells constitute an important cell population required for regeneration of the corneal epithelium. If insults to limbal stem cells or their niche are sufficiently severe, a disease known as limbal stem cell deficiency occurs. In the absence of functioning limbal stem cells, vision-compromising conjunctivalization of the corneal epithelium occurs, leading to opacification, inflammation, neovascularization, and chronic scarring. Limbal stem cell transplantation is the standard treatment for unilateral cases of limbal stem cell deficiency, but bilateral cases require allogeneic transplantation. Herein we review the current therapeutic utilization of limbal stem cells. We also describe several limbal stem cell markers that impact their phenotype and function and discuss the possibi

SUBMITTER: Masood F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9600167 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature