Review
Copyright ©2014 Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Stem Cells. Sep 26, 2014; 6(4): 391-403
Published online Sep 26, 2014. doi: 10.4252/wjsc.v6.i4.391
Limbal stem cells: Central concepts of corneal epithelial homeostasis
Jinny J Yoon, Salim Ismail, Trevor Sherwin
Jinny J Yoon, Salim Ismail, Trevor Sherwin, Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland 1020, New Zealand
Author contributions: Yoon JJ, Ismail S and Sherwin T contributed equally to writing this paper; Yoon JJ performed the literature searches, drafted and formatted the manuscript; Ismail S contributed to the writing of the manuscript, preparation of figures, literature searches and bibliography compilations; while Sherwin T contributed to review conception, writing of the manuscript, editing, analysis and formatting.
Supported by Save Sight Society New Zealand and Auckland Medical Research Foundation
Correspondence to: Trevor Sherwin, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1020, New Zealand. t.sherwin@auckland.ac.nz
Telephone: +64-9-9236466 Fax: +64-9-3677173
Received: July 25, 2014
Revised: August 20, 2014
Accepted: August 30, 2014
Published online: September 26, 2014
Core Tip

Core tip: It is a long held belief that stem cells reside only at the limbus. However, there are recent reports that present evidence of corneal repair and maintenance independent of limbal involvement. These findings call to light the possibility of previously undiscovered reservoirs of corneal stem/progenitor cells located at the central and peripheral cornea. A new secondary reservoir of stem cells has a significant clinical implication as new therapeutics for corneal degenerative disorders. This review outlines the historic evidence for limbal stem cells and discusses the role of these putative central and peripheral corneal stems cells in corneal homeostasis.