Abstract
Purpose:
In 2011 we reported the discovery of a group of multipotent mesenchymal stem cells at the sclera, which we named the scleral stem/progenitor cells (SSPCs). The purpose of this study was further to explore the localization of SSPCs in the murine sclera.
Methods:
We performed BrdU pulse-chase experiments in C57BL6/J mice. The mice were administered daily intraperitoneal injections of a nucleotide dye, bromodeoxyuridine (Brdu), over 7 consecutive days. The BrdU labeled cells were detected by the immunochemical study in the sclera. As the ABCG and Sca-1 are good markers for stem cells. We also performed the immunofluorescence study to localize the SSPCs.
Results:
There were significant more BrdU-positive cells in the anterior sclera in comparison to the posterior sclera. The ABCG and Sca-1 positive cells were also present in the anterior sclera mostly.
Conclusions:
The findings are consistent with the presence of a small population of scleral stem/progenitor cells localized along the murine sclera. It may help further studies of scleral diseases such as scleritis and myopia.
Keywords: 721 stem cells •
419 anatomy