agar and Cataract

We report the identification and isolation of limbal fibroblast-like cells from adult corneo-limbal tissue possessing self-renewing capacity and multilineage differentiation potential. The cells form cell aggregates or clusters, which express molecular markers, specific for ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm lineages in vitro. Further, these cells mature into a myriad of cell types including neurons, corneal cells, osteoblasts, chondrocytes, adipocytes, cardiomyocytes, hepatocytes and pancreatic islet cells. Despite originating from a non-embryonic source, they express ESC and other stem cell markers important for maintaining an undifferentiated state. This multipotential capability, relatively easy isolation and high rate of ex vivo proliferation capacity make these cells a promising therapeutic tool.

Topics: Agar; Antigens, CD; Blotting, Northern; Cataract; Cell Aggregation; Cell Differentiation; Cell Lineage; Cells, Cultured; Collagen; Drug Combinations; Fibroblasts; Flow Cytometry; Fluorescent Antibody Technique; Gene Expression; Glycosphingolipids; Humans; Karyotyping; Keratins; Laminin; Limbus Corneae; Multipotent Stem Cells; Octamer Transcription Factor-3; Proteoglycans; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; RNA, Messenger; Stage-Specific Embryonic Antigens

Topics: Acrylates; Agar; Animals; Blood Proteins; Cataract; Chromatography, Gel; Crystallins; Electrophoresis; Electrophoresis, Disc; Gels; Immunoelectrophoresis; Lens, Crystalline; Mice; Mutation; Serum Albumin; Solubility; Transferrin

Topics: Agar; Cataract; Crystallins; Humans; Proteins