IN VITRO CULTIVATION OF CANINE LIMBAL TRANSPLANT

Limbal epithelial stem cells are the ultimate source of regeneration of the entire corneal epithelium under both normal and injured conditions. The corneal epithelium plays a crucial role in homeostasis and integrity of the eye. To maintain the integrity of the ocular surface, corneal epithelial cells must be balanced by stem cells, located at the limbus. The limbus is the crossing area between the cornea and sclera, 1 mm in width, and together with conjunctival epithelium plays an important role in regenerating the cornea after traumatic injuries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the culturing patterns of canine limbal stem cells and to optimize growing conditions of these cell cultures in order to develop a reliable biomedical model intended for studying the potentials of allografts/xenografts originated from canine tissues. Canine stem cell equivalents have potentials in reparative/regenerative veterinary medicine.