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Chapter-007 Limbal Stem Cells of the Corneal Epithelium

BOOK TITLE: Copeland and Afshari's Principles and Practice of Cornea (2 Volumes)

Author
1. Dua Harminder Singh
2. Miri Ammar
3. Said Dalia Galal
ISBN
9789350901724
DOI
10.5005/jp/books/11777_7
Edition
1/e
Publishing Year
2013
Pages
7
Author Affiliations
1. University of Nottingham, England, UK
2. B Floor, Eye ENT Centre, Queens Medical Centre, University Hospital, Derby Road, Nottingham, England, UK
3. B Floor, Eye ENT Centre, Queens Medical Centre, University Hospital, Derby Road, Nottingham, England, UK
Chapter keywords
Limbal stem cells, epithelial sheets, corneal epithelium, clonogenic potential, small central corneal epithelial, peripheral cornea, centripetal migration

Abstract

Stem cells (SC) are undifferentiated or poorly differentiated slow cycling cells. They self-renew indefinitely and have a high clonogenic potential. The corneal epithelium, like most epithelial surfaces, is constantly self-renewing and their cell mass is maintained by SC located at the limbus such that the number of new cells appearing and migrating on the corneal surface from the limbus is equal to the number that are shed from the surface at senescence. Large and small central corneal epithelial defects heal by a centripetal migration of epithelial sheets that arise from the remaining intact epithelium at the peripheral cornea and limbus. The wounds close to the limbus heal at a faster rate. The chapter discusses in detail about limbal epithelial stem cells, several clinical and laboratory studies of limbal epithelial stem cells.

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