Reprogramming of Human Limbal Niche Progenitors.
- 1Department of Ophthalmology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China.
- 2Hubei Key Laboratory of Otolaryngologic and Ophthalmic Diseases, Wuhan, 430000, China.
- 3BioTissue, Miami, FL, 33126 USA.
Abstract
Limbal niche cells (LNCs) possess embryonic stem cell (ESC) characteristics, expressing ESC markers such as Sox2, Nanog, and Oct4; stromal characteristics, expressing neurocrest markers such as CD90; and have angiogenic potential expressing angiogenesis markers such as CD34. In addition, these cells can be induced into adipocytes, chondrocytes, and osteocytes, indicating that they are valuable adult stem cells. However, how these cells may be appropriately passaged and maintained, what signaling pathways are necessary for such regeneration, and how the cells can be used for the treatment of various diseases caused by stem cell deficiency, such as limbal stem cell deficiency, remain unclear. Herein, we summarize the most recent advances in limbal niche research, with emphasis on the regeneration of adult limbal progenitors and their mechanisms, to promote cell-based therapy for various eye diseases due to stem cell deficiency or malfunction. Such a strategy may also provide a platform for stem cell therapy for other similar human diseases worldwide.
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BibTeX
@article{guo2026reprogramming,
title = {{Reprogramming of Human Limbal Niche Progenitors.}},
author = {Xinghan Guo and Wei Wang and Allison Wilde and Yingting Zhu and Guigang Li},
journal = {International journal of medical sciences},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.7150/ijms.135665},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42909366},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Reprogramming of Human Limbal Niche Progenitors.
AU - Xinghan Guo
AU - Wei Wang
AU - Allison Wilde
AU - Yingting Zhu
AU - Guigang Li
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/24
JO - International journal of medical sciences
DO - 10.7150/ijms.135665
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42909366
AB - Limbal niche cells (LNCs) possess embryonic stem cell (ESC) characteristics, expressing ESC markers such as Sox2, Nanog, and Oct4; stromal characteristics, expressing neurocrest markers such as CD90; and have angiogenic potential expressing angiogenesis markers such as CD34. In addition, these cells can be induced into adipocytes, chondrocytes, and osteocytes, indicating that they are valuable adult stem cells. However, how these cells may be appropriately passaged and maintained, what signaling pathways are necessary for such regeneration, and how the cells can be used for the treatment of various diseases caused by stem cell deficiency, such as limbal stem cell deficiency, remain unclear. Herein, we summarize the most recent advances in limbal niche research, with emphasis on the regeneration of adult limbal progenitors and their mechanisms, to promote cell-based therapy for various eye diseases due to stem cell deficiency or malfunction. Such a strategy may also provide a platform for stem cell therapy for other similar human diseases worldwide.
SN - 1449-1907
ER -