International Review of Ophthalmology

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Signaling pathway and source of autologous replacement stem cells associated with corneal limbal epithelial stem cells

Wu Defu, Zhong Xingwu   

  1. Hainan Eye Hospital and Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Haikou 570311, China
  • Received:2019-09-15 Online:2020-02-22 Published:2020-02-27
  • Contact: Zhong Xingwu, Email: zhongxiwu@mail.sysu.edu.cn E-mail:zhongxiwu@mail.sysu.edu.cn
  • Supported by:
    Hainan Natural Science Foundation Team Project (2017CXTD011)

Abstract: Corneal blindness accounts for about 40% of the total number of irreversible blindness patients in China. Stevens-Johnson syndrome and scar pemphigoid are the main causes of corneal blindness. Autologous and allogeneic corneal transplantation has achieved some success in clinical applications, but there are still many problems. At present, an important way to treat the above corneal diseases is to transplant autologous or allogeneic limbal epithelial stem cells through direct or in vitro culture. Signaling pathways, such as the Wnt signaling pathway, Notch signaling pathway, and STAT signaling pathway, have important effects on the culture of limbal epithelial stem cells in vitro, and can interact with a variety of factors to regulate the proliferation, differentiation, and resting homeostasis of limbal epithelial stem cells. Patients with limbal stem cell deficiency in both eyes are expected to induce other autologous stem cells by in vitro culture, such as mesenchymal stem cells, oral mucosal epithelial stem cells, human embryonic stem cells, dental pulp stem cells, differentiate into corneal epithelial stem cells, and reconstruct the ocular surface.