Novel Methods to Cultivate Human Limbal Epithelial Stem Cells

UCLA researchers in the Jules Stein Eye Institute have developed novel methods for cultivating stem cells using human feeder cells. This technology enables a more efficient system of producing pure stem cell populations for therapeutic development.

Limbal stem cell (LSC) deficiency is a disease with severe visual impairment and marked morbidity. This disease can be caused by an inherited stem cell disorder or contact lens wear. LSC therapy, using grafts of autologous limbal tissue cultivated in vitro, is an attractive strategy for long-term corneal regeneration. However, this approach has not been widely accepted, because current methods often lead to contamination by other cell types. Novel culture methods overcoming this barrier are critical in enabling this strategy to be used as treatment options.

UCLA researchers have developed novel methods for cultivating human LSCs. These methods maintain ideal spacing between stem and feeder cells, preventing physical competition for growth surface. This allows for higher proliferation rates and better-maintained stem cell phenotypes. In addition, due to the physical separation of the LSCs and feeder cells, isolating pure populations of LSCs is possible. These unique advantages enable culture systems to efficiently expand human LSCs for therapeutic use.

UCLA researchers have successfully demonstrated the advantages of this technology in both the culture and isolation of human LSCs. Studies to examine the therapeutic potential of the cultivated LSCs and their ability to reconstruct a healthy corneal surface are underway in animal models.