Abstract:

Limbal stem cells (LSCs), the basal layer of the limbal epithelium, are essential for maintenance of corneal epithelium structural integrity and corneal epithelial healing after damage. Wnt signaling pathway include canonical signaling pathway (namely Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway) and non-canonical signaling pathways (namely Wnt-Ca2+ signaling pathway and Wnt/JNK signaling pathway). Wnt signaling pathway is one of the most important pathways that participate in the regulation of proliferation of tumor cells and stem cells. It plays an important role in the regulation of the differentiation and proliferation of LSCs.And it is of great significance and might act as a potential target in the translational research of limbal stem cell deficiency. (Int Rev Ophthalmol, 2018, 42:  348-353)