Submitted Successfully!
To reward your contribution, here is a gift for you: A free trial for our video production service.
Thank you for your contribution! You can also upload a video entry or images related to this topic.
Version Summary Created by Modification Content Size Created at Operation
1 + 3216 word(s) 3216 2021-08-05 04:49:43 |
2 The format is correct Meta information modification 3216 2021-08-27 03:31:50 | |
3 move out from EC Meta information modification 3216 2021-09-22 04:17:23 |

Video Upload Options

Do you have a full video?

Confirm

Are you sure to Delete?
Cite
If you have any further questions, please contact Encyclopedia Editorial Office.
Sefat, F. Stem Cell Niche Microenvironment. Encyclopedia. Available online: https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/13589 (accessed on 28 March 2024).
Sefat F. Stem Cell Niche Microenvironment. Encyclopedia. Available at: https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/13589. Accessed March 28, 2024.
Sefat, Farshid. "Stem Cell Niche Microenvironment" Encyclopedia, https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/13589 (accessed March 28, 2024).
Sefat, F. (2021, August 26). Stem Cell Niche Microenvironment. In Encyclopedia. https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/13589
Sefat, Farshid. "Stem Cell Niche Microenvironment." Encyclopedia. Web. 26 August, 2021.
Stem Cell Niche Microenvironment
Edit

Limbal epithelial stem cells (LESCs), which live in a specialized stem cell niche (SCN), are crucial for the survival of the human corneal epithelium. They live at the bottom of the limbal crypts, in a physically enclosed microenvironment with a number of neighboring niche cells. Scientists also simplified features of these diverse microenvironments for more analysis in situ by designing and recreating features of different SCNs. 

stem cell niches microenvironment cornea

1. Introduction

The cornea is made up of nonkeratinizing squamous epithelium, avascular, collagen-rich epithelial cells that are formed by self-renewing, stratified tissues [1]. The cornea’s transparency is crucial and primarily due to unique characteristics of the corneal stroma. The lack of blood vessels, the distinct organization of collagen fibers and the low percentage of stromal cells are all essential features in this regard [2]. The corneal epithelium lines the stromal surface and defends it from chemical insults. It is also important for the preservation of the stroma’s transparency-enabling properties. Moreover, with the exception of keratinizing epithelia, such as the epidermis, which replaces the cytoplasm of the outer layers with keratin proteins, the corneal epithelium keeps live cells at the edge layer, enhancing transparency.

The epithelium layer of the cornea acts as a protective and defensive shield, while also contributing to corneal openness. It is constantly switched over when the most superficial cells of the ocular epithelium fade away and are replaced by limbal epithelial stem cells (LESCs). LESCs are initiated from the limbus region, which is the border between the conjunctiva and cornea [3]. LESCs rely on their unique microenvironment, identified as the limbal niche, for separation, growth and movement. Cells such as mesenchymal cells, nerve cells, melanocytes, skin cells and vascular cells, ECM (extracellular matrix) and signaling molecules distinguish the limbal niche [4][5][6][7][8][9]. Pathology affecting any part of the limbal niche can cause LESC disorder, which leads to successful LSCD (limbal stem cell deficiency) [7][10][11].

The recent understanding of CESC biology has a special emphasis on the development of the stromal microenvironment, or niche, reconstruction of the LSCN (limbal stem cell niche), ASCN (artificial stem cell niche) and in regulating stem cell function.

2. Human Cornea

The cornea defines the anterior layer of the eye, which is differentiated from the adjacent conjunctiva by a transitional region called the limbus, as shown in Figure 1 [12]. The human cornea is one of the last optimization methods to mature throughout growth. Connections between the overlying surface ectoderm and the lens vesicle, including the oculogenic transcription factor Pax6 [13] and the presence of Wnt signaling pathways [14], are crucial for epithelial growth. The neural crest gives rise to corneal stromal keratocytes (fibroblasts) and endothelial cells.
Figure 1. The morphology of the human limbal region for the entire eye. Entire 360° corneoscleral rim, where corneal button has been removed for keratoplasty. Image captured by OCT [4].
The adult conjunctiva is a lamellar tissue consisting of a stratified epithelium, an inner monolayer of the endothelium, with each cell form divided by a specialized membrane and a collagenous substantia propria (stroma) sparsely filled with keratocytes, Bowman’s layer Descemets and anterior membrane. The corneal epithelium is divided into three levels: b (basal), W (wing) and S (squames), as represented in Figure 2A,B.
Moreover, limbal tissue transplants have been used successfully to treat patients with serious corneal damages [15][16][17][18], providing convincing evidence that the limbus is the reservoir for CESCs. LSCs (limbal stem cells) are found in the Palisades of Vogt’s basal inter-palisade epithelial papillae, as illustrated in Figure 2C,D, and are mostly seen in short chains, as demonstrated in Figure 2D [19][20]. Cells expressing LSC factors can be found in limbus areas rich in crypts and stromal projections [21]. Within the limbus, scientists have discovered crypt-like structures, as shown in Figure 2E, and stromal-like projections, as represented in Figure 2F, consisting of tightly packed b-cells that stain for p75 on limbal epithelial progenitors, as depicted in Figure 2G [22].
Figure 2. Human corneo-limbus pathologic characteristics. Entire human eye sections were segmented, stained with eosin and hematoxylin (AF), as well as for the low-affinity NGFR (p75) (G), and visualized using normal (AF) or fluorescence (G) microscopy. The middle cornea is made up of a multilayered epithelium of squames (s), basal (b) and wing (w) layers, a keratocyte including a monolayer and stroma with complex endothelial cells (A,C, arrowheads). BL separates the corneal epithelium from the stroma (B). The limbus is distinguished by the PV (C,D), which contains bundles of small stem-like cells (D; inset, hatched line). LC (E, hatched line) and FSP are two other newly discovered stem cell-harboring structures (F,G, hatched lines). The limbal membrane is shown by the arrows in (D). The boxed region in (C) is magnified (D). Apart from (A,C) (100), and (G) (400), all pictures were taken with an optical microscope using oil (1000). BL stands for Bowman’s layer, FSP stands for focusing on PV stands, stromal projections, LC stands for limbal crypt and NGFR stands for nerve growth factor receptor for Palisades of Vogt.

3. Identity and Location of CESCs (Corneal Epithelial Stem Cells)

For several years, the position of CESCs has been intensively studied, and it is still a very involved and rather contentious field of study. The prevalent and commonly accepted model holds that CESCs are only found at the limbus, which is located at the intersection of the conjunctiva and the cornea. This is supported by data from a number of tests. To begin, epithelial cells in the limbal epithelium’s basal layer feature is especially useful for young, undifferentiated cells, which are consistent with the existence of SCs (stem cells). In particular, epithelial cells in this region lack expression of cytokeratins 3 and 12, that are produced by adult, separated corneal epithelial cells, but maintain expression of cytokeratin 14, that is produced by immature stem or progenitor cells in the basal cell layer of a range of stratified epithelia. Moreover, several cells in the limbus possess putative stem cell receptors. They contain the N isoform of p63, that is represented by progenitor cells or proliferative stem cells in many stratified epithelia, and the transmitter protein ABCG2, which imparts that this is a ‘side-population’ phenotype and is often thought to be a common stem cell indicator [23][1][24]. Some putative stem cell indicators produced by cells in this area contain N-cadherin and Fzd7 [24]. Moreover, the limbal epithelium comprises a higher percentage of quiescent cells that barely differentiate, a characteristic shared by lengthy stem cells in a number of other tissues [25].

The most compelling evidence suggesting the existence of stem cells in the limbus is the indication that cells derived from this area can readily produce long-term cell proliferation clones in vitro and can reconstruct the conjunctiva based on transplanting. Evidently, the clinical utilization of stem cells derived from the limbus demonstrates their clinical effectiveness, when they are utilized to repair the conjunctiva in patients who have sustained major damage to the corneal layer as a result of disease or injury [1][26].

LSCNs (limbal stem cell niches) have been discovered in the limbus, as indicated in Figure 3A, especially in the palisades of Vogt, which are 150-square-meter structures [27]. The Palisades of Vogt have been described as anatomical stromal crypt structures that are particularly noticeable in some intact corneas due to the abundance of melanocytes, which are highly pigmented, as shown in Figure 3B. Separating fixed limbal tissue tangential to the central cornea and staining with H and E revealed stromal protrusions, which establish crypt-like structures that allow for the formation of cell layers in certain areas, as represented in Figure 3C. Longevity, high capacity for self-renewal with a long cell cycle period and short S-phase length, increased potential for error-free proliferation and poor differentiation are all characteristics of SCs. 

Figure 3. The human limbal stem cell niche. (A) Describes the location of the limbus with dashed lines on the human ocular surface. (B) Shows a highly pigmented Palisades of Vogt that is visible in the limbus of human. (C) Indicates H and E-stained tangential section of the human limbus, showing the LCs (limbal crypts). The box indicates a representative area of 0.1 mm2 of the limbal stroma. The white line indicates an example of LC width measurements and arrowed line LC depth measurements. (D) CK3- and (E) p63a (green)-stained cryosections of human LCs counterstained with PI (red). Scale bars C: 100 µm, D and E: 50 µm [28].

4. The Corneal Stem Cell Niche

In order to maintain tissue equilibrium, the behavior of stem cells in every environment must be closely controlled. In this regard, the tissue niche or microenvironment, in which stem cells live, is crucial in controlling stem cell important factors when deciding [29]. The SCN (stem cell niche) is a specialized, different anatomical area of a tissue that provides the necessary microenvironmental clues to sustain a cell population capable of satisfying the tissue regeneration requirements of a tissue during any particular time. The crypt core of the small intestine, which contains intestinal epithelial SCs [30], and the bulge area of skin cells, which contains cutaneous epithelial SCs, are also representations of SCNs [31].

The limbus has some characteristics that differentiate it from the conjunctiva and the cornea on the human ocular surface. Perhaps most dramatically, the stromal tissue in the limbus produces papillae-like invaginations, recognized as the ‘Palisades of Vogt,’ and in between them are limbal epithelial crypts. Inside these crypt systems, a high percentage of basal epithelial cells produce putative SC indicators, such as Fzd7, N-cadherin and ABCG2, reinforcing the idea that the limbus provides a specialized stromal ecosystem designed to support CESCs.

The material characteristics of the underlying tissue have been seen to be critical in controlling SC activity. Topography and elasticity, for example, are also used to affect how a cell responds to other microenvironmental signals, including growth factors and/or cytokines [32]. In this respect, SCNs frequently have a specific topography and are made up of complex ECM elements, including one that endows the niche with unique mechanical properties [33][34]. The dome-like structure of the ocular surface is likely to exert distinct impact force at various areas of the tissue, which could favor SC repair at particular positions [35].

As a result, distinct limbal stromal features including such ECM structure, vascularization and growth factor function are critical in sustaining a functional population of CESCs. Analyzing how dermal ESCs are controlled by their microenvironment provides some insight into the molecular and cellular mechanisms for which niche elements control CESCs. Biochemical factors naturally produced by mesenchymal cells within the SCN are also used to regulate processes, including SC contemplation and stimulation in this tissue. Development of BMPs (bone morphogenetic proteins) by mesenchymal niche elements, for instance, enhances equanimity of dermal ESCs [36], while expression of fibroblast growth factors (FGFs), TGF and the BMP promoter noggin induces migration and cell growth [37][38]. Functional experiments in mice have also shown that the vasculature is critical in the stimulation of cutaneous ESCs, but the processes are still unknown. Other epithelial materials of the skin were shown to facilitate cell proliferation insertion in quiescent cutaneous ESCs by SHH (Secreting Sonic Hedgehog). Besides that, other materials found in the cutaneous SCN, including such ECM components, peripheral nerves and immune cells, were involved in SC activity regulation [34].

5. The Limbal Stem Cell Niche

The limbal stem cell niche, located at the anatomic boundary of the cornea and the conjunctiva [28][39][40], generates a microenvironment that aids in the growth and repair of their signals, resident cells and ECM, that identify a SCN [39][41]. Due to the occurrence of melanin pigmentation, the corneoscleral limbus has an identifiable protective atmosphere with thick protection, vascularization and innervation from possible light destruction [12][42][43]. The limbal palisade and corneal transformation areas tend to regulate cell proliferation sensing, creating a distinct microenvironment for progenitor cells and CESC. Though elements of the SC membrane in the dorsal limbus could provide external stimuli that lead to stemness repair [20][29][44][45][46], elements of the delayed progenitor cell membrane in the anterior limbus could control the phenotypic variations required to regenerate the restoring corneal epithelium [20].

While the presence of the limbal niche is acknowledged, particular details of its 3D architecture remain unknown [47]. Research of the construction of the limbal crypts and the corneal limbus has been performed utilizing various methods, with various mechanisms discovered [21][41][42][43][48][49][50][51]. Goldberg and Bron (1982) and Townsend (1991) utilized a pit light to observe the corneal limbus and identified the Vogt palisades as a set of circular patterns aligned fibrovascular ribs clustered along the superior and inferior corneoscleral limbus, differentiated by inter-palisade epithelial varied forms. They discovered a large variation of the palisade region from one human to the next and within the same eye, as well as a large diversity of the form of inter-palisade epithelial crypts and palisades, such as palisade branching, radially directed rectangular and/or circular or oval shapes, or connectivity to create a trabecular structure [42][43].

Microenvironment Structure

Figure 5 illustrates the comparisons between human, pig and mouse LSCNs. In pig eyes, as seen in Figure 5B, the palisade region was centered on the corneal part of the limbus rather than the ocular part. Palisades were fine, and inter-palisade crypts were broad and circular, with a consistent circular direction and a trabecular design connected to various small invaginations under the cornea. Both eyes had equal thickness (50 mm), diameter (90 mm), form (oval) and orientation (radial) distribution. The limbal zone was 1.5 mm in width. The palisades of Vogt were not found in fresh mouse ocular surface, and the limbal zone included just endothelial cells roughly circling the cornea, as represented in Figure 5C [4].
Figure 5. Interspecies variation in limbal morphology: human, pig and mouse. En face FFOCM (full-field optical coherence microscopy) pictures of (A) human, (B) pig and (C) mouse limbus, with inset diagrams of geometry of crypt formation about 360° of the eye. FFOCM pictures are oriented with the sclera on top and the cornea on the right. Photos have been measured to represent an identical area of every cornea (though differently sized due to different eye sizes) [4].

6. The Limbus and Other Stem Cell Niches

In the last five decades, it was suggested that a SCN offers a distinct and sufficient microenvironment for multipotential operation and to promote self-renewal [52]. Niches are 3D (three-dimensional) SC-sheltering, finely ordered, dynamic structural elements that are typically found at tissue boundaries, intersections or areas; for instance, endo-ectocervical, cornea-limbal and esophagogastric [53]. The differential clues that determine SC homeostatic or stimulation programs are assumed to be provided by molecular crosstalk from neighboring cells and reversible signals from the subsequent vasculature or ECM-sequestered intermediaries specific to the microenvironment. Chemical and physical signals between the 3D spaces’ cells and matrix glycoproteins they shape enable for intermolecular forces that are essential for controlling SC activity. The detection and classification of tissue niches has identified a constellation of materials; nevertheless, the processes governing how niches are formed and preserved to serve SC roles are only now being established [54]. Furthermore, new methods for marking SC in vivo have made it easier to identify and characterize SC niches in mammalian cells [23][55][54][56].

The hair follicle has appeared for one of the most thoroughly researched adult SC templates. Multipotent HFSCs (hair follicle stem cells) that regenerate skin, hair and sebaceous glands exist in the hair follicle bulge, an area of the basal part sheath. Previous studies that took to the benefits of bulge cells’ weak cycling allowed them to be identified and isolated as label-retaining progenitors [25][57]. When such cells were grafted into hairless mice, they developed huge colonies in situ and unchanged hair follicles. The identification of molecular techniques to help classify HFSCs has greatly enhanced scientists’ and researcher’s knowledge of their anatomy and biology, such as their adhesion to ECM proteins and the molecules related to cell regulation.

The pathways involved in regulating adult HSCs (hematopoietic stem cells), such as the HFSC niche, are widely undefined. HSCs are a type of bone marrow-derived cell that can self-renew or differentiate into several types of cells. HSCs that are dormant cross the inner layer of bone filled with osteoblasts [58]. When HSCs reach maturity, they cross paths with the stromal cells around them and continue to propagate. Multiple studies containing osteoblast-ablated mice and mice bioengineered to enhance osteoblast number have led to one regulatory hypothesis, which indicates that HSCs maintain their quiescent features owing to their ability to bind to osteoblasts via N-cadherin-mediated adherent intersections [58][59].

The cornea’s clarity sets it apart from other SC-containing organs. In addition, owing to its shallow anatomical position, the limbus seems to be the only SCN that can be easily observed utilizing noninvasive small-hole and in situ imaging techniques. The widely held belief is that unipotent LSCs within the basal cells of the limbus preserve the ocular epithelial cells through natural cellular proliferation and after injury [14][60][61]. Studies demonstrating the movement route of pigmented cells from the limbal region [12] provide insights as to the position of cells with regenerative potential.

7. Conclusions and Perspectives

In conclusion, this entry concentrated on the CESCN and CLSCN with ECM in the microenvironment using different approaches. There is presently no conclusive marker for illuminating LSCs or distinguishing them from their earlier TAC offspring. Although, integrins seem to be suitable markers because their expression on the cellular membrane provides a tethering point for evaluating, isolating and enhancing cells. When combined with suitable ECM factors, advances in culture conditions and existing cell-based treatments for individuals with LSCD may be achieved. In addition, since SCs of certain self-renewing epithelia share molecular structures, findings from corneal studies can help researchers to improve treatment options for other body organs. By mimicking both the close interaction of neighboring niche cells and the geometry of the 3D microenvironment, RAFT (real architecture for 3D tissue) offers an ideal in vitro system for studying the behavior of LESC.
The layout of the LSCN tends to be related to LSC, individual behavior and eye orientation, for instance, nocturnal or diurnal, interior or lateral side and appearance or absence of brows. Besides that, clone generation in humans was closely associated with the amount of limbal crypts, suggesting that limbal crypts serve as a niche for adult LSCs. FFOCM imaging can aid in determining the sensitivity of the limbal crypts for selective biopsy for tissue culture in the development of synthetic bioengineered corneas.
Long-term restoration of LESC activity requires rebuilding of the LSCN. Recent tissue regeneration therapies include the use of genetic or artificial scaffolds, as well as growth factors, hemoderivatives or cytokines. Similarly, MSCs, with their active immunomodulatory effects and capacity to generate trophic and ECM factors to help LESCs, are presently a potential candidate for cell-based treatment for recovering the limbal niche. This research also includes a prototype system and an ex vivo ocular system for studying the behavior of cultured SCs in these synthetic niches, the 3D form of which can be changed as needed and the layer of which could be adjusted with a variety of ECM proteins.
CESCs, like all SCs, are extremely sensitive to their microenvironment, and improper microenvironmental clues may result in their degradation and/or impaired operation. As a consequence, an improved comprehension of how the niche regulates CESCs and how niche elements shift through illness or injury has the potential to lead to enhanced preventive options for a range of corneal layer conditions Finally, the discovery of molecular techniques that explicitly classify CESCs would be a major step forward, allowing researchers to investigate the relationships between CESCs and their microenvironment in a more precise and systematic manner.

References

  1. Daniels, J.T.; Dart, J.K.G.; Tuft, S.J.; Khaw, P.T. Corneal stem cells in review. Wound Repair. Regen. 2001, 9, 483–494.
  2. Xuan, M.; Wang, S.; Liu, X.; He, Y.; Li, Y.; Zhang, Y. Proteins of the corneal stroma: Importance in visual function. Cell Tissue Res. 2016, 364, 9–16.
  3. DelMonte, D.W.; Kim, T. Anatomy and physiology of the cornea. J. Cataract. Refract. Surg. 2011, 37, 588–598.
  4. Grieve, K.; Ghoubay, D.; Georgeon, C.; Thouvenin, O.; Bouheraoua, N.; Paques, M.; Borderie, V. Three-dimensional structure of the mammalian limbal stem cell niche. Exp. Eye Res. 2015, 140, 75–84.
  5. Massie, I.; Dziasko, M.; Kureshi, A.; Levis, H.J.; Morgan, L.; Neale, M.; Sheth, R.; Tovell, V.E.; Vernon, A.J.; Funderburgh, J.L. Advanced imaging and tissue engineering of the human limbal epithelial stem cell niche. In Stem Cell Protocols; Humana Press: New York, NY, USA, 2015; pp. 179–202.
  6. Notara, M.; Shortt, A.J.; O’Callaghan, A.R.; Daniels, J.T. The impact of age on the physical and cellular properties of the human limbal stem cell niche. Age 2012, 35, 289–300.
  7. Nubile, M.; Curcio, C.; Dua, H.S.; Calienno, R.; Lanzini, M.; Iezzi, M.; Mastropasqua, R.; Agnifili, L.; Mastropasqua, L. Pathological changes of the anatomical structure and markers of the limbal stem cell niche due to inflammation. Mol. Vis. 2013, 19, 516–525.
  8. Parfitt, G.J.; Kavianpour, B.; Wu, K.L.; Xie, Y.; Brown, D.J.; Jester, J.V. Immunofluorescence tomography of mouse ocular surface epithelial stem cells and their niche microenvironment. Investig. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2015, 56, 7338–7344.
  9. Ramírez, B.E.; Victoria, D.A.; Murillo, G.M.; Herreras, J.M.; Calonge, M. In vivo confocal microscopy assessment of the corneoscleral limbal stem cell niche before and after biopsy for cultivated limbal epithelial transplantation to restore corneal epithelium. Histol. Histopathol. 2015, 30, 183–192.
  10. Kim, B.Y.; Riaz, K.M.; Bakhtiari, P.; Chan, C.C.; Welder, J.D.; Holland, E.J.; Basti, S.; Djalilian, A.R. Medically reversible limbal stem cell disease: Clinical features and management strategies. Ophthalmology 2014, 121, 2053–2058.
  11. Notara, M.; Refaian, N.; Braun, G.; Steven, P.; Bock, F.; Cursiefen, C. Short-term uvb-irradiation leads to putative limbal stem cell damage and niche cell-mediated upregulation of macrophage recruiting cytokines. Stem Cell Res. 2015, 15, 643–654.
  12. Davanger, M.; Evensen, A. Role of the pericorneal papillary structure in renewal of corneal epithelium. Nature 1971, 229, 560–561.
  13. Davis, J.; Duncan, M.K.; Robison Jr, W.G.; Piatigorsky, J. Requirement for Pax6 in corneal morphogenesis: A role in adhesion. J. Cell Sci. 2003, 116, 2157–2167.
  14. Nakatsu, M.N.; Ding, Z.; Ng, M.Y.; Truong, T.T.; Yu, F.; Deng, S.X. Wnt/β-catenin signaling regulates proliferation of human cornea epithelial stem/progenitor cells. Investig. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2011, 52, 4734–4741.
  15. Ahmad, S.; Kolli, S.; Lako, M.; Figueiredo, F.; Daniels, J.T. Stem cell therapies for ocular surface disease. Drug Discov. Today 2010, 15, 306–313.
  16. Espana, E.M.; Grueterich, M.; Ti, S.E.; Tseng, S.C. Phenotypic study of a case receiving a keratolimbal allograft and amniotic membrane for total limbal stem cell deficiency. Ophthalmology 2003, 110, 481–486.
  17. Keivyon, K.R.; Tseng, S.C. Limbal autograft transplantation for ocular surface disorders. Ophthalmology 1989, 96, 709–723.
  18. Shortt, A.J.; Secker, G.A.; Notara, M.D.; Limb, G.A.; Khaw, P.T.; Tuft, S.J.; Daniels, J.T. Transplantation of ex vivo cultured limbal epithelial stem cells: A review of techniques and clinical results. Surv. Ophthalmol. 2007, 52, 483–502.
  19. Echevarria, T.J.; Di Girolamo, N. Tissue-regenerating, vision-restoring corneal epithelial stem cells. Stem Cell Rev. Rep. 2011, 7, 256–268.
  20. Schlötzer-Schrehardt, U.; Dietrich, T.; Saito, K.; Sorokin, L.; Sasaki, T.; Paulsson, M.; Kruse, F. Characterization of extracellular matrix components in the limbal epithelial stem cell compartment. Exp. Eye Res. 2007, 85, 845–860.
  21. Shortt, A.J.; Secker, G.A.; Munro, P.M.; Khaw, P.T.; Tuft, S.J.; Daniels, J.T. Characterization of the limbal epithelial stem cell niche: Novel imaging techniques permit in vivo observation and targeted biopsy of limbal epithelial stem cells. Stem Cells 2007, 25, 1402–1409.
  22. Girolamo, N.D.; Sarris, M.; Chui, J.; Cheema, H.; Coroneo, M.T.; Wakefield, D. Localization of the low-affinity nerve growth factor receptor p75 in human limbal epithelial cells. J. Cell Mol. Med. 2008, 12, 2799–2811.
  23. Notara, M.; Alatza, A.; Gilfillan, J.; Harris, A.; Levis, H.; Schrader, S.; Vernon, A.; Daniels, J. In sickness and in health: Corneal epithelial stem cell biology, pathology and therapy. Exp. Eye Res. 2010, 90, 188–195.
  24. Dziasko, M.A.; Daniels, J.T. Anatomical features and cell-cell interactions in the human limbal epithelial stem cell niche. Ocul. Surf. 2016, 14, 322–330.
  25. Cotsarelis, G.; Cheng, S.-Z.; Dong, G.; Sun, T.-T.; Lavker, R.M. Existence of slow-cycling limbal epithelial basal cells that can be preferentially stimulated to proliferate: Implications on epithelial stem cells. Cell 1989, 57, 201–209.
  26. Daniels, J.T.; Notara, M.; Shortt, A.J.; Secker, G.; Harris, A.; Tuft, S.J. Limbal epithelial stem cell therapy. Expert Opin. Biol. Ther. 2007, 7, 1–3.
  27. Huang, A.; Tseng, S. Corneal epithelial wound healing in the absence of limbal epithelium. Investig. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 1991, 32, 96–105.
  28. Levis, H.J.; Massie, I.; Dziasko, M.A.; Kaasi, A.; Daniels, J.T. Rapid tissue engineering of biomimetic human corneal limbal crypts with 3D niche architecture. Biomaterials 2013, 34, 8860–8868.
  29. Watt, F.M.; Hogan, B.L. Out of Eden: Stem cells and their niches. Science 2000, 287, 1427–1430.
  30. Sato, T.; Van Es, J.H.; Snippert, H.J.; Stange, D.E.; Vries, R.G.; Van Den Born, M.; Barker, N.; Shroyer, N.F.; Van De Wetering, M.; Clevers, H. Paneth cells constitute the niche for Lgr5 stem cells in intestinal crypts. Nature 2011, 469, 415–418.
  31. Arwert, E.N.; Hoste, E.; Watt, F.M. Epithelial stem cells, wound healing and cancer. Nat. Rev. Cancer 2012, 12, 170–180.
  32. Aragona, M.; Panciera, T.; Manfrin, A.; Giulitti, S.; Michielin, F.; Elvassore, N.; Dupont, S.; Piccolo, S. A mechanical checkpoint controls multicellular growth through YAP/TAZ regulation by actin-processing factors. Cell 2013, 154, 1047–1059.
  33. Watt, F.M.; Huck, W.T. Role of the extracellular matrix in regulating stem cell fate. Nat. Rev. Mol. Cell Biol. 2013, 14, 467–473.
  34. Hsu, Y.-C.; Li, L.; Fuchs, E. Emerging interactions between skin stem cells and their niches. Nat. Med. 2014, 20, 847–856.
  35. Majo, F.; Rochat, A.; Nicolas, M.; Abou Jaoudé, G.; Barrandon, Y. Oligopotent stem cells are distributed throughout the mammalian ocular surface. Nature 2008, 456, 250–254.
  36. Plikus, M.V.; Mayer, J.A.; de La Cruz, D.; Baker, R.E.; Maini, P.K.; Maxson, R.; Chuong, C.-M. Cyclic dermal BMP signalling regulates stem cell activation during hair regeneration. Nature 2008, 451, 340–344.
  37. Greco, V.; Chen, T.; Rendl, M.; Schober, M.; Pasolli, H.A.; Stokes, N.; dela Cruz-Racelis, J.; Fuchs, E. A two-step mechanism for stem cell activation during hair regeneration. Cell Stem Cell 2009, 4, 155–169.
  38. Oshimori, N.; Fuchs, E. Paracrine TGF-β signaling counterbalances BMP-mediated repression in hair follicle stem cell activation. Cell Stem Cell 2012, 10, 63–75.
  39. Eberwein, P.; Reinhard, T. Concise reviews: The role of biomechanics in the limbal stem cell niche: New insights for our understanding of this structure. Stem Cells 2015, 33, 916–924.
  40. Rama, P.; Matuska, S.; Paganoni, G.; Spinelli, A.; De Luca, M.; Pellegrini, G. Limbal stem-cell therapy and long-term corneal regeneration. N. Engl. J. Med. 2010, 363, 147–155.
  41. Dua, H.S.; Shanmuganathan, V.; Powell-Richards, A.; Tighe, P.; Joseph, A. Limbal epithelial crypts: A novel anatomical structure and a putative limbal stem cell niche. Br. J. Ophthalmol. 2005, 89, 529–532.
  42. Goldberg, M.F.; Bron, A.J. Limbal palisades of Vogt. Trans. Am. Ophthalmol. Soc. 1982, 80, 155.
  43. Townsend, W.M. The limbal palisades of Vogt. Trans. Am. Ophthalmol. Soc. 1991, 89, 721.
  44. Morrison, S.J.; Shah, N.M.; Anderson, D.J. Regulatory mechanisms in stem cell biology. Cell 1997, 88, 287–298.
  45. Schlötzer-Schrehardt, U.; Kruse, F.E. Identification and characterization of limbal stem cells. Exp. Eye Res. 2005, 81, 247–264.
  46. Tseng, S.C. Regulation and clinical implications of corneal epithelial stem cells. Mol. Biol. Rep. 1996, 23, 47–58.
  47. Dziasko, M.A.; Armer, H.E.; Levis, H.J.; Shortt, A.J.; Tuft, S.; Daniels, J.T. Localisation of epithelial cells capable of holoclone formation in vitro and direct interaction with stromal cells in the native human limbal crypt. PLoS ONE 2014, 9, e94283.
  48. Lathrop, K.L.; Gupta, D.; Kagemann, L.; Schuman, J.S.; SundarRaj, N. Optical coherence tomography as a rapid, accurate, noncontact method of visualizing the palisades of Vogt. Investig. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2012, 53, 1381–1387.
  49. Miri, A.; Al-Aqaba, M.; Otri, A.M.; Fares, U.; Said, D.G.; Faraj, L.A.; Dua, H.S. In vivo confocal microscopic features of normal limbus. Br. J. Ophthalmol. 2012, 96, 530–536.
  50. Molvær, R.K.; Andreasen, A.; Heegaard, S.; Thomsen, J.S.; Hjortdal, J.; Urbak, S.F.; Nielsen, K. Interactive 3D computer model of the human corneolimbal region: Crypts, projections and stem cells. Acta Ophthalmol. 2013, 91, 457–462.
  51. Shanmuganathan, V.A.; Foster, T.; Kulkarni, B.B.; Hopkinson, A.; Gray, T.; Powe, D.G.; Lowe, J.; Dua, H.S. Morphological characteristics of the limbal epithelial crypt. Br. J. Ophthalmol. 2007, 91, 514–519.
  52. Schofield, R. The relationship between the spleen colony-forming cell and the haemopoietic stem cell. Blood Cells 1978, 4, 7–25.
  53. Mcnairn, A.J.; Guasch, G. Epithelial transition zones: Merging microenvironments, niches, and cellular transformation. Eur. J. Dermatol. 2011, 21, 21–28.
  54. Scadden, D.T. The stem-cell niche as an entity of action. Nature 2006, 441, 1075–1079.
  55. Notara, M.; Shortt, A.; Galatowicz, G.; Calder, V.; Daniels, J.T. IL6 and the human limbal stem cell niche: A mediator of epithelial–stromal interaction. Stem Cell Res. 2010, 5, 188–200.
  56. Jones, D.L.; Wagers, A.J. No place like home: Anatomy and function of the stem cell niche. Nat. Rev. Mol. Cell Biol. 2008, 9, 11–21.
  57. Morris, R.; Potten, C.S. Slowly cycling (label-retaining) epidermal cells behave like clonogenic stem cells in vitro. Cell Prolif. 1994, 27, 279–289.
  58. Zhang, J.; Niu, C.; Ye, L.; Huang, H.; He, X.; Tong, W.-G.; Ross, J.; Haug, J.; Johnson, T.; Feng, J.Q. Identification of the haematopoietic stem cell niche and control of the niche size. Nature 2003, 425, 836–841.
  59. Calvi, L.; Adams, G.; Weibrecht, K.; Weber, J.; Olson, D.; Knight, M.; Martin, R.; Schipani, E.; Divieti, P.; Bringhurst, F.R. Osteoblastic cells regulate the haematopoietic stem cell niche. Nature 2003, 425, 841–846.
  60. Stepp, M.A.; Zieske, J.D. The corneal epithelial stem cell niche. Ocul. Surf. 2005, 3, 15–26.
  61. Thoft, R.A.; Friend, J. The X, Y, Z hypothesis of corneal epithelial maintenance. Investig. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 1983, 24, 1442–1443.
More
Information
Contributor MDPI registered users' name will be linked to their SciProfiles pages. To register with us, please refer to https://encyclopedia.pub/register :
View Times: 550
Revisions: 3 times (View History)
Update Date: 22 Sep 2021
1000/1000