Current Perspectives of Limbal-Derived Stem Cells and its Application in Ocular Surface Regeneration and Limbal Stem Cell Transplantation
Vivek Singh, Anil Tiwari, Abhinav Reddy Kethiri, Veena Sangwan
Abstract
Limbal stem cells are involved in replenishing and maintaining the epithelium of the cornea. Damage to the limbus due to chemical/physical injury, infections, or genetic disorders leads to limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) with partial or total vision loss. Presently, LSCD is treated by transplanting limbal stem cells from the healthy eye of the recipient, living-related, or cadaveric donors. This review discusses limbal-derived stem cells, the importance of extracellular matrix in stem cell niche maintenance, the historical perspective of treating LSCD, including related advantages and limitations, and our experience of limbal stem cell transplantation over the decades.
Topics & Concepts
Stem cellLimbal stem cellTransplantationRegeneration (biology)Corneal epitheliumCorneaExtracellular matrixBiologyMedicinePathologyCell biologyOphthalmologySurgeryCorneal Surgery and TreatmentsOcular Surface and Contact LensCorneal surgery and disorders