Limbal function is a key determinant of corneal epithelial integrity. Lineage tracing studies in mice have highlighted that the centripetal movement of epithelial progenitors from the limbus drives both the steady-state maintenance of the corneal epithelium and its regeneration following injury. It is well established that this is facilitated by a population of limbal epithelial stem cells within the limbus. It is becoming increasingly apparent that the behaviour of these stem cells and their ability to respond to the needs of the tissue are closely linked to their immediate microenvironment – the stem cell niche. Increasing understanding of the structural features of this niche and the signalling networks that they coordinate is required to enhance the therapeutic application of these cells in the treatment of limbal stem cell deficiency. Importantly, an improved characterisation of the hierarchy of limbal epithelial progenitors using both new and old putative markers will enable a greater appreciation for the effects of many of these limbal niche factors on stem cell fate.

肢体功能是角膜上皮完整性的关键决定因素。小鼠沿袭追踪研究强调，角膜缘上皮祖细胞的向心运动既驱动角膜上皮的稳态维持，又驱动损伤后的再生。众所周知，角膜缘内的一组角膜缘上皮干细胞可以促进这种情况。越来越明显的是，这些干细胞的行为及其对组织需求的响应能力与其直接的微环境-干细胞生态位紧密相关。为了增强这些细胞在治疗角膜缘干细胞缺乏症中的治疗性应用，需要对这种小生境及其协调的信号网络的结构特征有更多的了解。