Ex vivo expansion of stem cells of the corneal epithelium

The ocular surface epithelium is composed of conjunctiva, limbus and cornea . These three compartments and an stable preocular tear film are crucial fa ctors determining ocular surface health. Stem cells of the corneal epitheli um are exclusively located at the limbus. Limbal stem cells are the ultimat e source of regeneration of the entire corneal epithelium and in a variety of ocular surface diseases limbal stem cell deficiency has been observed to be a characteristic feature. Therefore renewal of the limbal stem cell pop ulation using different surgical techniques has been described as the only possible therapeutic strategy. Recent advancements in cell biology have ena bled the development of new models of tissue engineering as a tool for tiss ue replacement. The aim of this review is to summarize recently reported cl inical and experimental studies showing new developments in tissue engineer ing for the reconstitution of the ocular surface epithelium.