Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Stem Cell Niche

Stem Cell Niche

The stem cell niche is the dynamic microenvironment where stem cells reside. Inside these niches, the cells may remain undifferentiated, undergo high self-renewal, or become lineage-specific progenitors. Stem cells coexist with other niche cells, such as stromal cells. They also interact closely with the ECM. Cell-cell and cell-matrix communication occur via adhesion molecules or soluble factors that signal the stem cells and determine their fate. Stromal cells also provide survival signals to...

Multipotency and Niche of Bulge Stem Cell

Multipotency and Niche of Bulge Stem Cell

A hair follicle or HF is a small part of the skin that produces the hair shaft. Paul Gerson Unna was the first to observe a bulge in the human hair follicle's outer root sheath (ORS). The bulge is present between the sebaceous gland and the arrector pili muscle and is the niche for hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs). The bulge is also a niche for melanocyte stem cells, and their loss results in graying of hair. The HFSCs express Sox9 and Lhx2, which help them maintain stemness and prevent...

Multipotency of Hematopoietic Stem Cells

Multipotency of Hematopoietic Stem Cells

The hematopoietic stem cells or HSCs are multipotent, meaning they can differentiate and give rise to all blood and immune cells. HSCs are maintained in the quiescent stage until an external stimulus initiates their differentiation. The multipotent HSCs exist as two heterogeneous populations, long-term repopulating cells (LTRC) and short-term repopulating cells (STRC). The two HSC populations have different surface markers or receptors and are classified based on quiescence and long-term...

Renewal of Skin Epidermal Stem Cells

Renewal of Skin Epidermal Stem Cells

The skin is divided into epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis, the skin's outermost, middle, and inner layers. The human epidermal layer regularly undergoes renewal, where old, dead cells are replaced by new cells. Epidermal stem cells or EpiSCs divide and differentiate to restore the lost cells. For the renewal process, some EpiSCs continuously self-renew. In contrast, few others differentiate into transit-amplifying cells, which later form prickle or spinous cells, followed by granular cells,...

Clinical Applications of Epidermal Stem Cells

Clinical Applications of Epidermal Stem Cells

Epidermal stem cells (EpiSCs) are mainly located at the basal layer of the epidermis. These cells repair minor injuries of the skin and replace dead skin cells. However, EpiSCs’ cannot heal severe wounds such as major burns or those from diabetes or hereditary disorders. In such cases, culturing the epidermal stem cells from the patient is possible and has yielded successful treatment options, such as laboratory-grown skin grafts. These grafts are synthesized using a patient’s own EpiSCs...

Tissue Renewal without Stem Cells

Tissue Renewal without Stem Cells

After cellular or tissue damage, the resident stem cells present in the human body can locally repair and regenerate the damaged tissue or organ. However, even though some tissues do not have stem cells, they can repair and regenerate with the help of pre-existing cells. For example, beta cells of the pancreas and hepatocytes of the liver can divide to renew and regenerate the tissue. Here, both cell division and cell death are well regulated by homeostasis.
However, failure of such a system...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Comprehensive Analysis of circRNA-Associated-ceRNA Networks in Human Corneal Endothelial Dysfunction.

Cornea·2022

Same author

Aβ monomers protect lens epithelial cells against oxidative stress by upregulating CDC25B.

Free radical biology & medicine·2021

Same author

Reconstruction of the ocular surface by autologous transplantation of rabbit adipose tissue-derived stem cells on amniotic membrane.

Annals of translational medicine·2020

Same author

FTO regulates ocular angiogenesis via m<sup>6</sup>A-YTHDF2-dependent mechanism.

Experimental eye research·2020

Same author

Ileal perforation caused by a fish bone shortly after drug-eluting stent implantation for acute myocardial infarction.

The Journal of international medical research·2019

Same author

SIRT1-dependent AMPK pathway in the protection of estrogen against ischemic brain injury.

CNS neuroscience & therapeutics·2017

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 28, 2026

Isolation and Identification of Limbal Niche Cells

Isolation and Identification of Limbal Niche Cells

Published on: October 27, 2023

[Evolving concepts on limbal stem cells and their niche].

Tian-yu Zheng¹, Jian-jiang Xu

¹Department of Ophthalmology, Eye & ENT Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China.

[Zhonghua Yan Ke Za Zhi] Chinese Journal of Ophthalmology

|October 29, 2008

Summary

The limbal stem cell (LSC) niche, crucial for corneal health, is explored. Understanding its microenvironment and components like cytokines is key for LSC function and therapeutic applications.

More Related Videos

A Simple Mechanical Procedure to Create Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency in Mouse

A Simple Mechanical Procedure to Create Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency in Mouse

Published on: November 17, 2016

Efficient and Scalable Directed Differentiation of Clinically Compatible Corneal Limbal Epithelial Stem Cells from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells

Efficient and Scalable Directed Differentiation of Clinically Compatible Corneal Limbal Epithelial Stem Cells from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells

Published on: October 24, 2018

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 28, 2026

Isolation and Identification of Limbal Niche Cells

Isolation and Identification of Limbal Niche Cells

Published on: October 27, 2023

A Simple Mechanical Procedure to Create Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency in Mouse

A Simple Mechanical Procedure to Create Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency in Mouse

Published on: November 17, 2016

Efficient and Scalable Directed Differentiation of Clinically Compatible Corneal Limbal Epithelial Stem Cells from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells

Efficient and Scalable Directed Differentiation of Clinically Compatible Corneal Limbal Epithelial Stem Cells from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells

Published on: October 24, 2018

Area of Science:

Ophthalmology and Stem Cell Biology
Investigates the microenvironment supporting adult somatic stem cells in the cornea.

Context:

Limbal stem cells (LSCs) are vital for corneal epithelium maintenance and repair.
Despite advances in LSC research, the understanding of their specific niche remains limited.

Purpose:

This review synthesizes current knowledge on the limbal stem cell niche.
It analyzes the niche's location, regulatory mechanisms, and impact on LSC behavior.

Summary:

The limbal niche is located in limbal epithelial crypts.
Cytokines from blood and stroma regulate LSC proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis via intracellular pathways.
Niche damage or alteration can impair LSC survival and function, or redirect differentiation.

Impact:

Highlights the necessity of niche reconstruction for ex vivo LSC expansion.
Suggests using 3T3 cells or amniotic membrane for recreating the LSC niche.
Provides insights for advancing corneal regenerative medicine and LSC-based therapies.