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Foundations of Corneal Disease pp 241–247Cite as

Novel Approaches for Restoring the Function of the Limbal Stem Cell Niche

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Abstract

Various congenital, traumatic, toxic, and autoimmune processes may lead to limbal stem cell dysfunction (LSCD). In the past, patients with LSCD suffered from permanent loss of visual function as the condition was difficult to manage. In recent decades, research in this area has led to novel treatment paradigms. It was discovered that significant corneal injury in patients with LSCD can lead to not only a decreased number of corneal epithelial progenitor cells but also a disturbance in the limbal stem cell niche. Under these pathological conditions, a pro-inflammatory environment persists in patients with LSCD, leading to continued activation of inflammatory cytokines, impaired macrophage phagocytosis, and pathological hemangiogenesis. Thus, the current strategy in corneal regeneration in this area is a two-pronged approach, including both direct repopulation of limbal epithelial stem cells (LESCs) and also restoration of the limbal stem cell niche. In this chapter, a summary of current approaches to corneal epithelial regeneration will be provided. Novel research into possible future approaches to corneal regeneration including the use of mesenchymal stem cells will also be discussed (Fig. 20.1).

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, University of Illinois at Chicago, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Chicago, IL, USA

    Kai B. Kang, Mark I. Rosenblatt & Ali R. D’jalilian

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  1. Kai B. Kang
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  2. Mark I. Rosenblatt
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  3. Ali R. D’jalilian
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ali R. D’jalilian .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Louis Block Professor Chair, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, The University of Chicago Medicine & Biological Sciences, Chicago, IL, USA

    Kathryn Colby

  2. Claes H. Dohlman Professor of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Cornea & Refractive Surgery, Massachusetts Eye & Ear, Boston, MA, USA

    Reza Dana

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Kang, K.B., Rosenblatt, M.I., D’jalilian, A.R. (2020). Novel Approaches for Restoring the Function of the Limbal Stem Cell Niche. In: Colby, K., Dana, R. (eds) Foundations of Corneal Disease. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-25335-6_20

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-25335-6_20

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-25334-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-25335-6

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