Department of Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Dermatology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
Curr Opin Genet Dev. 2022 Dec;77:101981. doi: 10.1016/j.gde.2022.101981. Epub 2022 Sep 6.
The discovery of slow-cycling cells at the corneal periphery three decades ago established the limbus as the putative corneal stem cell niche. Since then, studies have underscored the importance of the limbal stem cells in maintaining the health and function of the ocular surface. Advancements in our understanding of stem cell biology have been successfully translated into stem cell therapies for corneal diseases. Here, we review recent developments in mouse genetics, intravital imaging, and single-cell genomics that have revealed an underappreciated complexity of the limbal stem cells, from their molecular identity, function, and interactions with their niche environment. Continued efforts to elucidate stem cell dynamics of this extraordinary tissue are critical for not only understanding stem cell biology but also for advancing therapeutic innovation and development.
三十年前，人们在角膜周边发现了慢周期细胞，从而确立了角膜缘作为角膜干细胞龛的位置。从那时起，研究就强调了角膜缘干细胞在维持眼表面健康和功能方面的重要性。我们对干细胞生物学的理解的进步已经成功地转化为针对角膜疾病的干细胞疗法。在这里，我们回顾了最近在小鼠遗传学、活体成像和单细胞基因组学方面的进展，这些进展揭示了角膜缘干细胞的一个被低估的复杂性，包括它们的分子特征、功能以及与龛环境的相互作用。为了不仅理解干细胞生物学，而且推进治疗创新和发展，阐明这个非凡组织的干细胞动力学的持续努力是至关重要的。
