Yonsei Med J.  2005 Jun;46(3):353-358. 10.3349/ymj.2005.46.3.353.

The Involvement of Multipotential Progenitor Cells in Mooren's Ulcer

• Lee IG
• Ye J
• Kim JC

• KMID: 1734069
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3349/ymj.2005.46.3.353

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the involvement of multipotential progenitor cells in the pathogenesis of Mooren's ulcer using immunohistochemical staining techniques. Tissue specimens were collected from 3 Mooren's ulcer patients who underwent lamellar keratectomy. Immunohistochemical staining patterns were analyzed using antibodies: CD34, c-kit, STRO-1, CD45RO, VEGF and alpha-SMA. Strong positive CD34, c-kit and STRO-1 cells were revealed in Mooren's ulcer specimens, especially in the superficial stroma. A few weakly expressed CD34 stroma cells were seen in normal limbal cornea but no immunoreactivity for c-kit and STRO-1 could be found. CD45RO positive T cells were found to have infiltrated in Mooren's ulcer. The immunostaining pattern of VEGF and yen a- SMA was closely correlated with the degree of expression and the number of CD34 positive cells. Bone marrow-derived multipotential progenitor cells may be involved in the pathogenesis of Mooren's ulcer by synergizing with other factors to amplify autoimmune destructive reactions and to contribute to the regeneration process. Specific therapeutic strategies that target the role of these cells in the disease are warranted.

Keyword

Hematopoietic progenitor cell; Mooren's ulcer; stem cells

MeSH Terms

Cornea/*pathology
Corneal Ulcer/*pathology
Hematopoietic Stem Cells/*pathology
Humans
Multipotent Stem Cells/*pathology
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Slit lamp photograph of Mooren's ulcer shows advanced corneal ulceration involving corneal center with vascularized corneal base, corneal thinning and adjacent conjuctival inflammation.

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  Fig. 2 Immunohistochemical staining of the limbal cornea of Mooren's ulcer for antibodies CD34 (A), c-kit (B) and STRO-1 (C). CD34, c-kit and STRO-1 immunoreactivity was strongly positive in the superficial stroma of Mooren's ulcer cornea (Original magnification × 200).

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  Fig. 3 Patterns of immunostaining of the limbal cornea of Mooren's ulcer with CD45RO (A), VEGF (B) and α-SMA (C). CD45RO positive T cells infiltrated in the superficial stroma (A). Vascular endothelial cells and some stroma cells stained with VEGF (B). α-SMA positive cells located in the vessel wall (Original magnification ×200).

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