Kruse F E
Augenklinik der Universität Heidelberg, Germany.
Eye (Lond). 1994;8 ( Pt 2):170-83. doi: 10.1038/eye.1994.42.
Self-renewing tissues such as the corneal epithelium contain stem cells which represent the proliferative reserve. Studies of cellular differentiation and proliferation suggest that corneal epithelial stem cells are localised exclusively in the basal limbal epithelium. Although regulatory factors for the amplification of corneal stem cells are unknown, serum factors such as retinoic acid might induce differentiation of stem cells to transient amplifying cells which are responsible for cell amplification. These cells are regulated by various polypeptide growth factors and extracellular calcium. Loss or malfunction of stem cells does not permit maintenance or regeneration of the corneal epithelial mass but leads to conjunctivalisation of the corneal surface. Clinically, several ocular surface disorders such as chemical burns can cause limbal damage and consecutive limbal insufficiency. Treatment for these disorders is available only by transplantation of healthy stem cells, which can be performed as both autograft and allograft.
自我更新组织，如角膜上皮，含有代表增殖储备的干细胞。细胞分化和增殖研究表明，角膜上皮干细胞仅定位于角膜缘基底上皮。尽管角膜干细胞扩增的调节因子尚不清楚，但血清因子如视黄酸可能诱导干细胞分化为负责细胞扩增的短暂扩增细胞。这些细胞受多种多肽生长因子和细胞外钙的调节。干细胞的丧失或功能障碍不允许角膜上皮块的维持或再生，而是导致角膜表面结膜化。临床上，一些眼表疾病，如化学烧伤，可导致角膜缘损伤和连续性角膜缘功能不全。这些疾病的治疗只能通过健康干细胞移植来进行，自体移植和同种异体移植均可。
