Defining compartmentalized stem cell populations with distinct cell division dynamics in the ocular surface epithelium
November 2020
in “
Development
”
TLDR Stem cells in the eye have different roles and behaviors, helping maintain and repair the eye's surface.
The study explored stem cell (SC) populations in the ocular surface epithelium of mice, identifying distinct SC populations using genetic markers. In the limbus, Slc1a3CreER-labeled SCs showed two behaviors: migrating to the central cornea and expanding laterally. In the central cornea, Dlx1CreER and K14CreER-labeled cells were short-lived progenitors. The conjunctival epithelium had unique SC populations in different regions. Severe corneal damage disrupted SC compartments, causing conjunctivalization, while milder injury increased lateral clone expansion in the limbus. The study involved lineage tracing in 3 mice and highlighted the compartmentalization and dynamic behavior of SCs in maintaining ocular surface homeostasis and responding to injury.
