Discrete limbal epithelial stem cell populations mediate corneal homeostasis and wound healing.
Cell Stem Cell
; 28(7): 1248-1261.e8, 2021 07 01.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-33984282
ABSTRACT
The accessibility and transparency of the cornea permit robust stem cell labeling and in vivo cell fate mapping. Limbal epithelial stem cells (LSCs) that renew the cornea are traditionally viewed as rare, slow-cycling cells that follow deterministic rules dictating their self-renewal or differentiation. Here, we combined single-cell RNA sequencing and advanced quantitative lineage tracing for in-depth analysis of the murine limbal epithelium. These analysis revealed the co-existence of two LSC populations localized in separate and well-defined sub-compartments, termed the "outer" and "inner" limbus. The primitive population of quiescent outer LSCs participates in wound healing and boundary formation, and these cells are regulated by T cells, which serve as a niche. In contrast, the inner peri-corneal limbus hosts active LSCs that maintain corneal epithelial homeostasis. Quantitative analyses suggest that LSC populations are abundant, following stochastic rules and neutral drift dynamics. Together these results demonstrate that discrete LSC populations mediate corneal homeostasis and regeneration.
Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Células-Tronco
/
Limbo da Córnea
Limite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Cell Stem Cell
Ano de publicação:
2021
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Israel