Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Bertam, 13200, Kepala Batas, Penang, Malaysia.
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Asian Institute of Medical Sciences and Technology (AIMST) University, Kedah, Malaysia.
Curr Stem Cell Res Ther. 2024;19(3):292-306. doi: 10.2174/1574888X18666230313094121.
Severe corneal disorders due to infective aetiologies, trauma, chemical injuries, and chronic cicatricial inflammations, are among vision-threatening pathologies leading to permanent corneal scarring. The whole cornea or lamellar corneal transplantation is often used as a last resort to restore vision. However, limited autologous tissue sources and potential adverse post-allotransplantation sequalae urge the need for more robust and strategic alternatives. Contemporary management using cultivated corneal epithelial transplantation has paved the way for utilizing stem cells as a regenerative potential. Humaninduced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) can generate ectodermal progenitors and potentially be used for ocular surface regeneration. This review summarizes the process of corneal morphogenesis and the signaling pathways underlying the development of corneal epithelium, which is key to translating the maturation and differentiation process of hiPSCs in vitro. The current state of knowledge and methodology for driving efficient corneal epithelial cell differentiation from pluripotent stem cells are highlighted.
由于感染性病因、创伤、化学损伤和慢性瘢痕性炎症导致的严重角膜疾病，是导致永久性角膜瘢痕、威胁视力的病变之一。全角膜或板层角膜移植术常作为恢复视力的最后手段。然而，有限的自体组织来源和潜在的移植后不良后果促使人们需要更强大和更具策略性的替代方法。利用培养的角膜上皮移植术进行的当代治疗方法为利用干细胞作为再生潜能铺平了道路。人诱导多能干细胞（hiPSCs）可产生外胚层祖细胞，并可能用于眼表面再生。这篇综述总结了角膜形态发生的过程和角膜上皮发育的信号通路，这是体外 hiPSCs 成熟和分化过程的关键。本文还强调了从多能干细胞中高效诱导角膜上皮细胞分化的当前知识和方法状态。
