New technologies in limbal epithelial stem cell transplantation

Destruction of the limbal epithelial stem cell (LESC) population in the cornea can lead to disorders that result in chronic inflammation, pain and impaired vision. Amniotic membrane (AM) is commonly used as a substrate for LESC transplantation for ocular surface repair but it is not an ideal substrate and so attempts have been made to find a more suitable alternative. The possible substitutes reviewed here include modified AM, cell carriers such as contact lenses or gauze as well as natural substrates fibrin and silk fibroin and many collagen-based scaffolds. Although there are a number of interesting systems in development, the search for an appropriate alternative continues.