'Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO)'
Abstract
Purpose: To determine the stem cell properties of human corneal stromal keratocytes when
challenged in the chick embryonic environment.
Methods: Stromal keratocytes isolated from human corneas were injected along cranial neural
crest migratory pathways and in the periocular mesenchyme in chick embryos. Localization
Migration of the injected cells stromal keratocytes was determined at various stages of
development by immunohistochemistry using human cell-specific markers. Differentiation of the
human keratocytes into other neural crest-derived tissues was determined by
immunohistochemistry with tissue cell-specific markers.
Results: Human keratocytes injected along cranial neural crest pathways proliferated and migrated
ventrally adjacent to host neural crest cells. They contributed to numerous neural crest-derived
tissues including cranial blood vessels, ocular tissues, and cardiac cushion tissue mesenchyme.
Keratocytes injected into the periocular mesenchyme region contributed to the corneal stroma and
endothelial layers.
Conclusions: Adult human corneal stromal keratocytes exhibit stem cell characteristics. They can
be induced to form cranial neural crest derivatives, including other anterior ocular structures, when
grafted into an embryonic environment
