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Isolated Corneal Epithelial Stem Cells Derived from Limbal Biopsies: Use of Lectin as a Marker for Identifying Transient Amplifying Cells

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Stem Cells and Cancer Stem Cells,Volume 3

Part of the book series: Stem Cells and Cancer Stem Cells ((STEM,volume 3))

Abstract

The human transplant of in vitro expanded Limbal Stem Cells (LSCs) represents one of the few available practices using Stem Cells (SCs) for clinical purpose. In certain pathologies as well as accidental injuries, the partial or complete destruction of cornea with the adjacent LSCs result in the vision impairment. A transplant of in vitro-produced corneal epithelium may restore a good eye-sight. Long term restoration of visual function requires renewal of the corneal epithelium, through the continue replacement from SC population. Thus, evaluation of the SC percentage in the engineered cell sheet before transplantation, is very important. In the last years, progress has been done towards the development of molecular markers that could distinguish SCs in vitro, thus being considered unambiguous for LSCs. Indeed nowadays, two markers are used for the identification of LSCs. The first is the ATP Binding Cassette transporter protein subtype G2 (ABCG2) that, however, is not specific only for LSCs. The other marker is the Lycopersicon esculentum Lectin (LEL), that binds N-Acetyl-Glucosamine (GlcNAc) oligomers, labelling intensely only the cell surface of a subphenotype of the LSCs, called early Transient Amplifying Cells (eTACs). Thus, this lectin is an useful and easy-to-use marker for the in vitro identification of Transient Amplifying Cells (TACs). In this review we will discuss the importance of LSCs, and the new methodologies for their isolation, cultivation and in vitro identification.

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Abbreviations

ABCG2/BCRP1:

ATP Binding Cassette transporter protein, subtype G2 also known as Breast Cancer Resistant Protein 1

AMT:

Amniotic Membrane Transplantation

BM40/SPARC:

40-kDa Basement Membrane protein also known as Secreted Protein, Acidic and Rich in Cysteine

CD:

Cluster of Differentiation;

Cx:

Connexin

ECM:

Extracellular Matrix

EGF-R:

Epidermal Growth Factor-Receptor

eTAC:

early Transient Amplifying Cell

Gal:

Galactose

GlcNAc:

N-Acetyl-Glucosamine

HAM:

Human Amniotic Membrane

HGF-R/met:

Hepatocyte Growth Factor-Receptor also known as mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor

HLA:

Human Leukocyte Antigen

IFITM1:

Interferon-Induced Transmembrane protein 1

ITM2A:

Integral Membrane protein 2A

K:

Keratin

KGF-R bek:

Keratinocyte Growth Factor-Receptor and bacterially expressed kinase

KS:

Keratan Sulfate

LEL:

Lycopersicon esculentum Lectin

LSC:

Limbal Stem Cell;

lTAC:

late Transient Amplifying Cell

MAA:

Maakia amurensis Agglutinin

NGF-R TrkA:

Nerve Growth Factor-Receptor and Tropomyosin-receptor kinase A

PKC-γ:

Protein Kinase C-gamma isoform

PNA:

Peanut Agglutinin

SC:

Stem Cell

SPRRs:

Small Proline-Rich Region proteins;

TAC:

Transient Amplifying Cell

TCF4:

Transcription Factor 4

TGF-β-RI, TGF-β-RII:

Transforming Growth Factor-beta-Receptor, type I and II

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological and Environmental Science and Technology, University of the Salento, 73100, Lece, Italy

    Luciana Dini & Cristian Vergallo

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  1. Luciana Dini
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  2. Cristian Vergallo
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Correspondence to Luciana Dini .

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  1. , Kean University, Room 213, Library building, Morris Avenue 1000, Union, 07083, New Jersey, USA

    M.A. Hayat

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Dini, L., Vergallo, C. (2012). Isolated Corneal Epithelial Stem Cells Derived from Limbal Biopsies: Use of Lectin as a Marker for Identifying Transient Amplifying Cells. In: Hayat, M. (eds) Stem Cells and Cancer Stem Cells,Volume 3. Stem Cells and Cancer Stem Cells, vol 3. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-2415-0_12

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