In vitro cultivation of canine limbal transplant

Abstract

Limbal epithelial stem cells are the ultimate source of regeneration of the entire corneal epithelium under both normal and injured conditions. The corneal epithelium plays a crucial role in homeostasis and integrity of the eye. To maintain the integrity of the ocular surface, corneal epithelial cells must be balanced by stem cells, located at the limbus. The limbus is the crossing area between the cornea and sclera, 1 mm in width, and together with conjunctival epithelium plays an important role in regenerating the cornea after traumatic injuries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the culturing patterns of canine limbal stem cells and to optimize growing conditions of these cell cultures in order to develop a reliable biomedical model intended for studying the potentials of allografts/xenografts originated from canine tissues. Canine stem cell equivalents have potentials in reparative/regenerative veterinary medicine

Investigations of the corneal epithelium in Veterinary Medicine: State of the art on corneal stem cells found in different mammalian species and their putative application

“…In LSCD cases, the corneal surface is covered by conjunctival epithelium and goblet cells become present in the cornea. Corneal conjunctivalization results in an ocular surface that appears irregular, with visual impairment (Vlahović et al, 2010;Ledbetter et al, 2013). LSCD in humans can be a congenital disorder or develop secondary to physical trauma, chemical burns, thermal injury, surgery, autoimmune conditions, and microbial infection (Ledbetter et al, 2013).…”

“…The final goal to treat these pathologies would be to apply, efficaciously, corneal stem cells as in humans instead of commonly not successfully used approaches; indeed, most of these treatments use allotransplantation, which has associated problems with graft rejection and difficulties in maintaining a stable supply of grafts (Moriyama et al, 2014). The use of corneal epithelial cells in corneal operation is still rare in Veterinary Medicine, where surgeons concern procedures such as corneal transplantation, corneal conjunctivalization therapy, or limbal insufficiency and keratopathy (Vlahović et al, 2010). Recently, some veterinarians claimed that corneal ulcers of horses were The elective method was immunohistochemistry.…”