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Updated: Sep 23, 2025

Author Spotlight: Standardizing Limbal Niche Cell (LNC) Isolation and Characterization to Support Widespread LNC Research
Published on: October 27, 2023
Hypoxia-induced mesenchymal stem cells inhibit corneal fibroblast proliferation by regulating the WWP2/Notch1 axis
Chongmeng Yang1, Jian Pan1, Xu Luo2,3
1Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Nanbaixiang, Ouhai District, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325000, China.
Abstract:
Aim: This study aimed to explore the role of hypoxic mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in corneal alkali burns and the underlying mechanism. Materials & methods: Rat corneal fibroblasts were incubated with IL-6, followed by treatment with hypoxic MSC supernatant. A rat corneal alkali burn model was implemented and processed with hypoxic MSCs. The associated factors were detected by corresponding methods. Results: Hypoxic MSCs reduced the Notch1 level and the proliferation of rat corneal fibroblasts. Hypoxic MSCs or WWP2 overexpression in MSCs enhanced ubiquitination of Notch1. WWP2 interacted with Notch1, and WWP2 silencing reversed the effects of the hypoxic MSCs. Hypoxic MSC treatment in vivo decreased the corneal neovascularization scores and opacity scores. Conclusion: Hypoxic MSCs inhibited inflammation and alleviated corneal injury in alkali burns via the WWP2/Notch1 axis.
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