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Updated: Jun 11, 2026

Efficient and Scalable Directed Differentiation of Clinically Compatible Corneal Limbal Epithelial Stem Cells from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells
10:07

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Published on: October 24, 2018

Corneal stem cells and their origins: significance in developmental biology

Sarah B Davies1, Nick Di Girolamo

  • 1Department of Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, Inflammation and Infection Research Centre, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.

Stem Cells and Development
|July 16, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Research on adult corneal stem cells (SCs) is advancing, but human developmental studies are limited. This review explores insights from developmental research to better understand SC origins and treat blinding corneal diseases.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Stem Cell Biology

Background:

  • Adult corneal stem cells (SCs) have been extensively researched for clinical applications over the last 20 years.
  • Studies on human corneal SC development are scarce due to ethical and practical challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review existing developmental studies on corneal SCs and other SC repositories.
  • To identify knowledge gaps regarding SC origin, location, phenotype, function, and niche structure.
  • To offer insights into congenital corneal diseases and potential therapeutic strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of developmental studies in the cornea.
  • Analysis of research on stem cell repositories.

Main Results:

  • Developmental studies provide significant insights into corneal SC biology.
  • Limited data exists on the early human development of corneal SCs.

Conclusions:

  • Further research into corneal SC development is crucial.
  • Understanding SC origins and niches can illuminate congenital disease pathogenesis.
  • This knowledge can lead to novel treatments for blinding corneal diseases.

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