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Verma S, Lin X, Coulson-Thomas VJ. The Potential Reversible Transition between Stem Cells and Transient-Amplifying Cells: The Limbal Epithelial Stem Cell Perspective. Cells 2024; 13:748. [PMID: 38727284 PMCID: PMC11083486 DOI: 10.3390/cells13090748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Stem cells (SCs) undergo asymmetric division, producing transit-amplifying cells (TACs) with increased proliferative potential that move into tissues and ultimately differentiate into a specialized cell type. Thus, TACs represent an intermediary state between stem cells and differentiated cells. In the cornea, a population of stem cells resides in the limbal region, named the limbal epithelial stem cells (LESCs). As LESCs proliferate, they generate TACs that move centripetally into the cornea and differentiate into corneal epithelial cells. Upon limbal injury, research suggests a population of progenitor-like cells that exists within the cornea can move centrifugally into the limbus, where they dedifferentiate into LESCs. Herein, we summarize recent advances made in understanding the mechanism that governs the differentiation of LESCs into TACs, and thereafter, into corneal epithelial cells. We also outline the evidence in support of the existence of progenitor-like cells in the cornea and whether TACs could represent a population of cells with progenitor-like capabilities within the cornea. Furthermore, to gain further insights into the dynamics of TACs in the cornea, we outline the most recent findings in other organ systems that support the hypothesis that TACs can dedifferentiate into SCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudhir Verma
- College of Optometry, University of Houston, 4901 Calhoun Road, Houston, TX 77204, USA;
- Deen Dayal Upadhyaya College, University of Delhi, Delhi 110078, India
| | - Xiao Lin
- College of Optometry, University of Houston, 4901 Calhoun Road, Houston, TX 77204, USA;
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Wolosin JM. A Keratin 12 Expression-Based Analysis of Stem-Precursor Cells and Differentiation in the Limbal-Corneal Epithelium Using Single-Cell RNA-Seq Data. BIOLOGY 2024; 13:145. [PMID: 38534415 DOI: 10.3390/biology13030145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 02/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
The corneal epithelium (CE) is spread between two domains, the outer vascularized limbus and the avascular cornea proper. Epithelial cells undergo constant migration from the limbus to the vision-critical central cornea. Coordinated with this migration, the cells undergo differentiation changes where a pool of unique stem/precursor cells at the limbus yields the mature cells that reach the corneal center. Differentiation is heralded by the expression of the corneal-specific Krt12. Processing data acquired by scRNA-Seq showed that the increase in Krt12 expression occurs in four distinct steps within the limbus, plus a single continuous increase in the cornea. Differential gene analysis demonstrated that these domains reflect discreet stages of CE differentiation and yielded extensive information of the genes undergoing down- or upregulation in the sequential transition from less to more differentiate conditions. The approach allowed the identification of multiple gene cohorts, including (a) the genes which have maximal expression in the most primitive, Krt12-negative cell cohort, which is likely to include the stem/precursor cells; (b) the sets of genes that undergo continuous increase or decrease along the whole differentiation path; and (c) the genes showing maximal positive or negative correlation with the changes in Krt12.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Mario Wolosin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Black Family Stem Cell Institute and Vision Research Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA
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Fan Q, Yan R, Li Y, Lu L, Liu J, Li S, Fu T, Xue Y, Liu J, Li Z. Exploring Immune Cell Diversity in the Lacrimal Glands of Healthy Mice: A Single-Cell RNA-Sequencing Atlas. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1208. [PMID: 38279208 PMCID: PMC10816500 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25021208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The lacrimal gland is responsible for maintaining the health of the ocular surface through the production of tears. However, our understanding of the immune system within the lacrimal gland is currently limited. Therefore, in this study, we utilized single-cell RNA sequencing and bioinformatic analysis to identify and analyze immune cells and molecules present in the lacrimal glands of normal mice. A total of 34,891 cells were obtained from the lacrimal glands of mice and classified into 18 distinct cell clusters using Seurat clustering. Within these cell populations, 26 different immune cell subpopulations were identified, including T cells, innate lymphocytes, macrophages, mast cells, dendritic cells, and B cells. Network analysis revealed complex cell-cell interactions between these immune cells, with particularly significant interactions observed among T cells, macrophages, plasma cells, and dendritic cells. Interestingly, T cells were found to be the main source of ligands for the Thy1 signaling pathway, while M2 macrophages were identified as the primary target of this pathway. Moreover, some of these immune cells were validated using immunohistological techniques. Collectively, these findings highlight the abundance and interactions of immune cells and provide valuable insights into the complexity of the lacrimal gland immune system and its relevance to associated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiwei Fan
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; (Q.F.); (J.L.)
- International Ocular Surface Research Center, Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Ophthalmology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; (R.Y.); (Y.L.); (L.L.); (S.L.); (T.F.); (Y.X.); (J.L.)
| | - Ruyu Yan
- International Ocular Surface Research Center, Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Ophthalmology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; (R.Y.); (Y.L.); (L.L.); (S.L.); (T.F.); (Y.X.); (J.L.)
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Yan Li
- International Ocular Surface Research Center, Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Ophthalmology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; (R.Y.); (Y.L.); (L.L.); (S.L.); (T.F.); (Y.X.); (J.L.)
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Liyuan Lu
- International Ocular Surface Research Center, Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Ophthalmology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; (R.Y.); (Y.L.); (L.L.); (S.L.); (T.F.); (Y.X.); (J.L.)
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Jiangman Liu
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; (Q.F.); (J.L.)
- International Ocular Surface Research Center, Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Ophthalmology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; (R.Y.); (Y.L.); (L.L.); (S.L.); (T.F.); (Y.X.); (J.L.)
| | - Senmao Li
- International Ocular Surface Research Center, Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Ophthalmology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; (R.Y.); (Y.L.); (L.L.); (S.L.); (T.F.); (Y.X.); (J.L.)
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Ting Fu
- International Ocular Surface Research Center, Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Ophthalmology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; (R.Y.); (Y.L.); (L.L.); (S.L.); (T.F.); (Y.X.); (J.L.)
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Yunxia Xue
- International Ocular Surface Research Center, Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Ophthalmology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; (R.Y.); (Y.L.); (L.L.); (S.L.); (T.F.); (Y.X.); (J.L.)
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Jun Liu
- International Ocular Surface Research Center, Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Ophthalmology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; (R.Y.); (Y.L.); (L.L.); (S.L.); (T.F.); (Y.X.); (J.L.)
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Zhijie Li
- International Ocular Surface Research Center, Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Ophthalmology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; (R.Y.); (Y.L.); (L.L.); (S.L.); (T.F.); (Y.X.); (J.L.)
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510630, China
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