Corneal Cells for Regeneration

Abstract

In cases of corneal epithelial stem cell deficiency where ocular surface reconstruction is required, corneal epithelial replacement using a tissue engineering technique shows great potential. Autologous cultivated corneal epithelial stem cell sheets are the safest and most reliable forms of sheet we can use for such treatment; however, they are not useful for treating bilaterally affected ocular surface disorders. In order to treat such cases, we must choose either an allogeneic cultivated corneal epithelial sheet or an autologous cultivated oral mucosal epithelial sheet. If we use the former, the threat of immunological reaction must be dealt with. Therefore, it is imperative that we have a basic understanding of the immunological aspects of ocular surface reconstruction using allogeneic tissues. When using an autologous cultivated oral mucosal epithelial sheet, a basic understanding of ocular surface epithelial biology is required as the sheet is not exactly the same as corneal epithelium.