Open AccessConcise Review: Limbal Epithelial Stem Cell Therapy: Controversies and Challenges
Author(s) -
O'Callaghan Anna R.,
Daniels Julie T.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
stem cells
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.159
H-Index - 229
eISSN - 1549-4918
pISSN - 1066-5099
DOI - 10.1002/stem.756
Subject(s) - stem cell , biology , cornea , stem cell therapy , population , microbiology and biotechnology , medicine , neuroscience , environmental health
Limbal epithelial stem cells (LESCs) are a population of stem cells responsible for maintenance and repair of the corneal surface. Injury and disease can result in a deficiency of these stem cells, the vision affecting condition called limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) in which the cornea becomes opaque, vascularized, and inflamed. Cultured LESC therapy was first described in 1997;29:19231932–19231932.and LESCs cultured from either patients or donors have been used to successfully treat LSCD. In this review, some of the challenges and controversies associated with cultured LESC therapy will be discussed including alternative stem cell sources. S TEM C ELLS 2011;29:1923‐1932