The immunology of corneal limbal stem cells: the up-to-date approach to stem cell transplantation

Katarzyna Samelska; Magdalena Kupis; Katarzyna Szymanek; Justyna Izdebska; Anna Zaleska-Żmijewska; Piotr Skopiński

doi:10.5114/ceji.2023.132033

eISSN: 1644-4124
ISSN: 1426-3912

Central European Journal of Immunology

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3/2023
vol. 48

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abstract:

Review paper

The immunology of corneal limbal stem cells: the up-to-date approach to stem cell transplantation

Katarzyna Samelska

^{1, 2, 3}

,

Magdalena Kupis

^{1, 2, 3}

,

Katarzyna Szymanek

^{1, 4}

,

Justyna Izdebska

^{1, 2, 3}

,

Anna Zaleska-Żmijewska

^{1, 2, 3}

,

Piotr Skopiński

^{1, 5}

SPKSO Ophthalmic University Hospital, Warsaw, Poland
Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Warsaw, Poland
Laser Eye Microsurgery Centre, Clinic of Prof. Jerzy Szaflik, Warsaw, Poland
ACL Vision Ophthalmologists – Specialized Ophthalmic Ambulatory, Warsaw, Poland
Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical University of Warsaw, Poland

Cent Eur J Immunol 2023; 48 (3): 245-250

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/ceji.2023.132033

Online publish date: 2023/09/29

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Limbal epithelial stem cells (LSC, LESC) are multipotent cells used as regenerative treatment of the cornea in patients with limbal epithelial stem cell deficiency (LSCD, LESCD).

There are different types of stem cell grafting including cultivated limbal epithelial transplantation (CET) and simple limbal epithelial transplantation (SLET). The outcomes of the techniques have been assessed as similar, with differences in the sample size required during the procedures.

The most important culture components for stem cell cultivation include 3T3 murine fibroblasts, human amniotic membrane (HAM), fibrin gel, and culture medium. The culture medium may be enriched with serum or not; however, xenobiotic-free materials are preferred because of the low risk of pathogen transmission.

Multiple studies have defined molecules important for maintaining the function of LSC including C/EBPδ, Bmi-1, p63α, interleukins (IL-6), epithelial structural proteins – keratins, and antibodies against epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). The cell phenotype of LSC has been described with factors of transplantation success rate such as a high percentage of p63 positive cells.

The article emphasizes the role of recipient tissue preparation, modern cultivation techniques and pathophysiological processes in LSC transplantation effectiveness.

keywords:

The immunology of corneal limbal stem cells: the up-to-date approach to stem cell transplantation

Katarzyna Samelska 1, 2, 3 , Magdalena Kupis 1, 2, 3 , Katarzyna Szymanek 1, 4 , Justyna Izdebska 1, 2, 3 , Anna Zaleska-Żmijewska 1, 2, 3 , Piotr Skopiński 1, 5

CLAU, CLET, limbal epithelial stem cells, limbal epithelial transplantation, SLET, stem cell deficiency, stem cell cultivation

Katarzyna Samelska

^{1, 2, 3}

,

Magdalena Kupis

^{1, 2, 3}

,

Katarzyna Szymanek

^{1, 4}

,

Justyna Izdebska

^{1, 2, 3}

,

Anna Zaleska-Żmijewska

^{1, 2, 3}

,

Piotr Skopiński

^{1, 5}