Corneal Wound Healing: Total Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency

Limbal stem cells are responsible for the continuous renewal of the corneal epithelium. The destruction or dysfunction of these stem cells or their niche induces limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) leading to visual loss, chronic pain, and inflammation of the ocular surface.

A total LSCD model is created in New Zealand rabbits by denudation of corneal surface with cotton n-hepanol soaked cotton swabs and surgical 360º limbal peritomy using a crescent knife.

Corneal conjunctivalization, corneal neovascularization, corneal opacity and epithelial defects are clinically scored weekly by two different researchers. At the end of follow-up (11 weeks), histopathology and immunofluorescence analyses are performed to evaluate the degree of damage created in the limbal niche and the presence of inflammation and goblet cells (as a sign of conjunctival in-growth) in the central cornea and limbus.

Rabbit corneas develop neovascularization, opacification, and epithelial defects, after 3 weeks, resembling moderate/severe human LSCD. Histopathology and immunofluorescence analyses show complete destruction of the limbus and inflammation of corneal and limbal stroma. New ocular treatments could be applied in this model in order to evaluate their effect in a moderate/severe LSCD and in a severe model of corneal epithelial wound healing