Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Basal Lamina are the Specialized Form of ECM01:03

Basal Lamina are the Specialized Form of ECM

The basal lamina is a thin extracellular layer that lies underneath the cells and separates them from other tissues. The three layers of the basal lamina are lamina lucida, lamina densa and lamina reticularis. The basal lamina, a mixture of glycoproteins and collagen, provides an attachment site for the epithelium, separating it from underlying connective tissue. The framework of basal lamina has other essential proteins such as laminins mesh, perlecan, entactin, and type IV collagen.
Proteins...
Renal Corpuscle01:20

Renal Corpuscle

The glomerulus and Bowman's capsule are two essential components of the nephron, which is the functional unit of the kidney. These microscopic structures play a critical role in the process of blood filtration to produce urine.
Glomerulus: Structure and Function
The glomerulus is a tiny, intricate network of capillaries located at the beginning of the nephron. It's enveloped by the Bowman's capsule and receives its blood supply from an afferent arteriole, which divides into numerous capillaries...
Type IV Collagen of Basal Lamina01:05

Type IV Collagen of Basal Lamina

Type IV collagen is a 400 nm long, network-forming collagen that acts as a barrier between the epithelial and endothelial cells. Type IV collagen  forms the backbone of the basement membrane by scaffolding with laminin, entactin, proteoglycans, and fibronectin. Apart from rendering structural support to the basement membrane, it also helps entail signaling potentials necessary for both pathological and physiological functions.
A type IV collagen molecule has six alpha chains which can exist in...
Structural Protein Function01:56

Structural Protein Function

Structural proteins are a category of proteins responsible for functions ranging from cell shape and movement to providing support to major structures such as bones, cartilage, hair, and muscles. This group includes proteins such as collagen, actin, myosin, and keratin.
Collagen, the most abundant protein in mammals, is found throughout the body. In connective tissue, such as skin, ligaments, and tendons, it provides tensile strength and elasticity.  In bones and teeth, it mineralizes to form...
Microbiome of the Eye01:22

Microbiome of the Eye

The human eye has a specialized microbiota that reflects its unique anatomical and immunological environment. This low-biomass microbial community predominantly colonizes the conjunctiva and eyelid margins, playing a vital role in ocular surface homeostasis and defense. Despite its proximity to the richly colonized facial skin, the ocular surface maintains a distinct microbial profile due to continuous mechanical and biochemical defense mechanisms.The conjunctival surface hosts fewer microbial...
Desmosomes01:05

Desmosomes

The term desmosome derives from the Greek words "desmo" and "soma" meaning "adhesion bodies." This structure was first observed during the late 1800s and described as small, dense nodules in the epidermis. Desmosomes are button-like structures that help form an interlinked network of intermediate filaments across the cells. These junctions are  essential to hold cells together under mechanical stress and to maintain tissue integrity. Desmosomes are multi-protein complexes comprising desmosomal...

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

The Influence of Breastfeeding on PRK Outcomes: A Comparison of Visual and Refractive Results.

European journal of ophthalmology·2026
Same author

Inferior-Superior Epithelial Thickness Difference: Zone-Specific Analysis Across Topographic Asymmetry.

Journal of cataract and refractive surgery·2026
Same author

Brazil among the world's most cited researchers: Significance, methods, and the place of Ophthalmology.

Arquivos brasileiros de oftalmologia·2026
Same author

Predictors of Visual Acuity Improvement in Patients With Amblyopia Following Laser Vision Correction Surgery.

Journal of refractive surgery (Thorofare, N.J. : 1995)·2026
Same author

Association of Elevated Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone With Structural Progression in Keratoconus.

Cornea·2026
Same author

LASIK for Hyperopia: A Report by the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Ophthalmology·2026
Same journal

Dual-Hit Myopia Mechanism Unveiled by Multi-Omics: Opn1mw Deficiency Primed the Retina for Exaggerated Response to Environmental Defocus.

Investigative ophthalmology & visual science·2026
Same journal

Psychometric Performance of Children With Amblyopia During a Tablet-Based Adaptive Visual Acuity Assessment.

Investigative ophthalmology & visual science·2026
Same journal

The Molecular Basis of Ocular Aging: Mechanisms, Pathologies, and Emerging Therapeutics.

Investigative ophthalmology & visual science·2026
Same journal

Sensory Eye Dominance Remains Stable Across Binocular Combination and Rivalry in Normal and Anisometropic Amblyopic Vision.

Investigative ophthalmology & visual science·2026
Same journal

Exosome-Associated Gene Network and the Role of SPP1 in Herpes Stromal Keratitis and the Therapeutic Modulation by Ursolic Acid.

Investigative ophthalmology & visual science·2026
Same journal

Nonlinear Associations of Estimated Glucose Disposal Rate With Incident Age-Related Eye Diseases: Implications for Metabolic Risk Stratification.

Investigative ophthalmology & visual science·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 7, 2026

Confocal and Super-Resolution Imaging of Polarized Intracellular Trafficking and Secretion of Basement Membrane Proteins During Drosophila Oogenesis
10:41

Confocal and Super-Resolution Imaging of Polarized Intracellular Trafficking and Secretion of Basement Membrane Proteins During Drosophila Oogenesis

Published on: May 19, 2022

The corneal epithelial basement membrane: structure, function, and disease.

André A M Torricelli1, Vivek Singh, Marcony R Santhiago

  • 1Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio.

Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science
|October 1, 2013
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The corneal epithelial basement membrane anchors cells and provides a barrier, crucial for corneal health and healing. This review details its structure, function, and role in corneal diseases.

Keywords:
basement membranecorneal epitheliummyofibroblastswound healing

More Related Videos

Ex Vivo Corneal Organ Culture Model for Wound Healing Studies
06:46

Ex Vivo Corneal Organ Culture Model for Wound Healing Studies

Published on: February 15, 2019

Establishing a Severe Corneal Inflammation Model in Rats Based on Corneal Epithelium Curettage Combined with Corneal Sutures
04:48

Establishing a Severe Corneal Inflammation Model in Rats Based on Corneal Epithelium Curettage Combined with Corneal Sutures

Published on: November 22, 2024

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 7, 2026

Confocal and Super-Resolution Imaging of Polarized Intracellular Trafficking and Secretion of Basement Membrane Proteins During Drosophila Oogenesis
10:41

Confocal and Super-Resolution Imaging of Polarized Intracellular Trafficking and Secretion of Basement Membrane Proteins During Drosophila Oogenesis

Published on: May 19, 2022

Ex Vivo Corneal Organ Culture Model for Wound Healing Studies
06:46

Ex Vivo Corneal Organ Culture Model for Wound Healing Studies

Published on: February 15, 2019

Establishing a Severe Corneal Inflammation Model in Rats Based on Corneal Epithelium Curettage Combined with Corneal Sutures
04:48

Establishing a Severe Corneal Inflammation Model in Rats Based on Corneal Epithelium Curettage Combined with Corneal Sutures

Published on: November 22, 2024

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • The corneal epithelial basement membrane (BM) is a specialized extracellular matrix between basal epithelial cells and the stroma.
  • It anchors epithelial cells, provides scaffolding, and supports cell migration, differentiation, and phenotype maintenance.
  • While BM composition is known, its specific function in corneal physiology is less understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the structure and function of the corneal epithelial BM.
  • To highlight its importance in corneal homeostasis and wound healing.
  • To discuss its involvement in corneal diseases.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on corneal epithelial BM.
  • Analysis of BM composition and established functions in other tissues.
  • Examination of evidence for BM roles in corneal barrier function and disease.

Main Results:

  • Corneal BM, like other BMs, comprises collagens, laminins, proteoglycans, and nidogens, with potential tissue-specific variations.
  • A critical function is acting as a barrier to cytokine penetration between corneal epithelium and stroma.
  • The corneal BM is implicated in various inherited and acquired corneal conditions.

Conclusions:

  • The corneal epithelial BM is vital for maintaining corneal structure and function.
  • Its barrier properties are essential for homeostasis and effective wound healing.
  • Dysfunction or alterations of the corneal BM contribute to corneal pathology.