Differences Between Niche Cells and Limbal Stromal Cells in Maintenance of Corneal Limbal Stem Cells

Abstract

LNCs have a different role compared to LSCs in their ability to support epithelial stem/progenitor cells and epithelial cellular sheet formation.

Pigmentation Is Associated with Stemness Hierarchy of Progenitor Cells Within Cultured Limbal Epithelial Cells

“…The physiological significance of the elaborate melanin production and distribution in the stem cell niche has been attributed to the protection from ultraviolet radiation and oxidative damage . Melanocytes that can be found scattered in the basal limbus epithelium have been highlighted as a major site of pigment production , nevertheless, our current investigation, in line with some previous studies, demonstrates that the limbal corneal progenitors are by themselves involved in melanin turnover . Importantly, a direct communication between both cell lineages has as well as been documented .…”

MicroRNAs-103/107 coordinately regulate macropinocytosis and autophagy

“…This physical separation between stem and TA cells makes the corneal/limbal epithelia an ideal model for studying the biological properties of these two proliferative populations (Zhou et al, 2006;Peng et al, 2015). As a result, a plethora of studies have been conducted that help to define the limbal stem cell and its biological properties (Lavker et al, 2004;Schlötzer-Schrehardt and Kruse, 2005;Stepp and Zieske, 2005;Davies and Di Girolamo, 2010;Li et al, 2014;Peng et al, 2015).…”

In vivo Confocal Microscopic Analysis of Limbal Stroma in Patients With Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency

“…These limbal epithelial SCs are regulated by their microenvironment or niche, which has been defined (1) anatomically based on their location as either a limbal epithelial crypt 15 or focal stromal projection/limbal crypt 16 and (2) functionally based on supporting stromal components including (a) blood vessels, 17 (b) supporting stromal SCs, 18,13 and (c) the basement membrane and extracellular matrix. 19 To date, research on LSCD and its treatment has focused on alterations in the anatomical component, specifically the limbal epithelium.…”

“…12,13 Recently, we established the use of IVCM to analyze the anterior limbal stroma beyond the basal epithelium in healthy subjects. 14 Unique clusters of hyperreflection were observed in the anterior limbal stroma subjacent to the bright basal epithelium and not in the cornea.…”