Anatomical Features and Cell-Cell Interactions in the Human Limbal Epithelial Stem Cell Niche

Marc A Dziasko; Julie T Daniels

doi:10.1016/j.jtos.2016.04.002

Anatomical Features and Cell-Cell Interactions in the Human Limbal Epithelial Stem Cell Niche

Ocul Surf. 2016 Jul;14(3):322-30. doi: 10.1016/j.jtos.2016.04.002. Epub 2016 May 2.

Authors

Marc A Dziasko¹, Julie T Daniels²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Ocular Biology and Therapeutics, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, United Kingdom. Electronic address: marc.dziasko.11@ucl.ac.uk.
² Department of Ocular Biology and Therapeutics, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, United Kingdom.

PMID: 27151422
DOI: 10.1016/j.jtos.2016.04.002

Abstract

Epithelial stem cells of the ocular surface are essential for the maintenance of corneal transparency and therefore for vision. Human corneal/limbal epithelial stem cells (LESCs) are believed to reside in the limbus, the interface between the peripheral cornea and neighboring conjunctiva. A specific anatomical microenvironment called the niche regulates the proliferative and differentiation potential of LESCs and their daughter cells. This review covers multiple structural and functional aspects of the human limbal epithelial stem cell niche, including: anatomical features of the niche, composition of the local extracellular matrix, soluble factors and signaling pathways, interactions with surrounding stromal niche cells and melanocytes.

Keywords: cell interactions; cornea; epithelial stem cells; human; limbus; stem cell niche.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Cell Communication
Epithelial Cells
Humans
Limbus Corneae
Stem Cell Niche*
Stem Cells