Aquaporin 1-positive stromal niche-like cells directly interact with N-cadherin-positive clusters in the basal limbal epithelium

► N-cad+ limbal basal epithelial cells were p63 and K15 positive progenitor cells. ► AQP1+ stromal cells were associated with N-cad+ limbal progenitor cells. ► AQP1+ stromal cells formed cellular adhesions with N-cad+ epithelial cells. ► These adhesions directly interacted by penetrating the epithelial basal membrane.