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Mesechymal Stem Cell Properties in the Endothelium ‐ bioengineered EC for lamellar Keratoplasty?
Author(s) -
FUCHSLUGER T
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
acta ophthalmologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.534
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1755-3768
pISSN - 1755-375X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1755-3768.2011.3475.x
Subject(s) - cornea , corneal endothelium , stem cell , progenitor cell , transplantation , cd90 , endothelium , pathology , cd44 , tissue engineering , limbal stem cell , mesenchymal stem cell , microbiology and biotechnology , cell , biology , anatomy , corneal epithelium , medicine , ophthalmology , cd34 , biomedical engineering , surgery , biochemistry , endocrinology
Purpose Corneal endothelium (EC) is crucial to maintain corneal transparency. Loss of EC finally results in blindness with the need of corneal transplantation. As lamellar grafting is globally spreading, engineering EC sheets are rational. However, in‐depth knowledge of precursor or stem cell‐like properties in EC and the precise anatomical locations are not yet clearly identified. These progenitor cells might serve as basis for tissue engineering. This study aims to identify the distribution and localization of EC with mesenchymal stem‐cell (MSC) and progenitor characteristics. Methods To study the distribution of putative MSC in the cornea and in the anterior chamber, typical MSC markers (CD44, CD73, CD90, CD105,stro‐1) were studied by immunohisto‐ and immunocytochemistry in sections of eyes, corneas and whole mount staining (Balb/C and C57BL6 mice, human tissue). Results CD44 expression was identified in the periphery of the lens epithelium, in single cells located in the peripheral parts of EC and in the limbus, but not in central parts of cornea. Moreover, CD44 was detected on cell borders of specific cell clusters throughout the endothelium (7%). Conclusion To our knowledge, we identified for the first time CD44+ cells with potential stem cell properties in the cornea. This was localized in the peripheral part of the EC and the limbus. Therefore, the peripheral cornea might be a potential source for future tissue engineering approaches for corneal endothelium.