The role of limbal stem cells in corneal (lymph)angiogenesis, inflammation and UV-induced pterygium pathogenesis (A05)

• Subject Area: Ophthalmology
• Term: since 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 501530074

The limbus, the junction between cornea and conjunctiva, is also the niche of epithelial and mesenchymal stem cells, both regulating corneal homeostasis. Recent evidence suggests that a novel limbal fibroblast sub-population expressing ABCB5 has characteristics of mesenchymal stem cells (ABCB5+LMSC). Our hypothesis is that these cells have therapeutic potentials and are involved in UV-related pterygium pathogenesis. The role of these ABCB5+cells in immune regulation, corneal avascularity and UV-induced stromal fibrosis, neovascularisation and pterygium progression will be studied. The overall aim is the development of new therapeutic strategies against corneal neovascularisation/inflammation as well as pterygium progression and recurrence.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1607: Towards immunomodulatory and anti(lymph)angiogenic therapies for age-related blinding eye diseases
• Applicant Institution: Universität zu Köln
• Project Heads: Maria Notara, Ph.D.; Professor Dr. Björn Schumacher