Existence of slow-cycling limbal epithelial basal cells that can be preferentially stimulated to proliferate: implications on epithelial stem cells
Cell, 1989•cell.com
Despite the obvious importance of epithelial stem cells in tissue homeostasis and
tumorigenesis, little is known about their specific location or biological characteristics. Using
3H-thymidine labeling, we have identified a subpopulation of cornea1 epithelial basal cells,
located in the peripheral cornea in a region called limbus, that are normally slow cycling, but
can be stimulated to proliferate in response to wounding and to a tumor promotor, TPA. No
such cells can be detected in the central cornea1 epithelium, suggesting that cornea1 …
tumorigenesis, little is known about their specific location or biological characteristics. Using
3H-thymidine labeling, we have identified a subpopulation of cornea1 epithelial basal cells,
located in the peripheral cornea in a region called limbus, that are normally slow cycling, but
can be stimulated to proliferate in response to wounding and to a tumor promotor, TPA. No
such cells can be detected in the central cornea1 epithelium, suggesting that cornea1 …
Summary
Despite the obvious importance of epithelial stem cells in tissue homeostasis and tumorigenesis, little is known about their specific location or biological characteristics. Using 3H-thymidine labeling, we have identified a subpopulation of cornea1 epithelial basal cells, located in the peripheral cornea in a region called limbus, that are normally slow cycling, but can be stimulated to proliferate in response to wounding and to a tumor promotor, TPA. No such cells can be detected in the central cornea1 epithelium, suggesting that cornea1 epithelial stem cells are located in the limbus. A comparison of various types of epithelial stem cells revealed a common set of features, including their preferred location, pigment protection, and growth properties, which presumably play a crucial role in epithelial stem cell function.
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