| title: | Development of limbal stem cell cultivating conditions for reconstruction of damaged corneas |
|---|---|
| reg no: | ETF5832 |
| project type: | Estonian Science Foundation research grant |
| subject: |
3.1. Basic Medicine |
| status: | completed |
| institution: | Clinicum of Tartu University |
| head of project: | Pait Teesalu |
| duration: | 01.01.2004 - 31.12.2005 |
| description: | Ocular surface is composed of corneal and conjunctival epithelial cells. Normal cornea is essential for normal vision. In healthy corneas the epithelium is in a constant state of turnover: superficial epithelial cells are shed, whereas cells derived from stem cells in the limbus migrate in and replenish the epithelial cell population. Severe damage to the limbal epithelial cells from chemical or thermal burns, multiple surgical procedures in this region or severe autoimmune disease may lead to loss of the limbal stem cells. In case of limbal stem cell deficiency may neighboring conjunctival epithelia invade the corneal surface and the eye becomes covered with an abnormal conjunctiva. This process is accompanied by chronic inflammation, persistent epithelial defects, stromal scarring, decreased vision, severe discomfort, and neovascularization. Transplantation of stem cells is the only effective treatment in case of total limbal stem cell deficiency. Best results are seen when patients own corneal epithelial cells are cultivated on amniotic membrane. Also good results have been reported it is not clear what are the best condition for corneal epithelial cultivation. Our aim is to: 1. Acquire the knowledge of corneal epithelial cultivation. 2. Comparison of corneal epithelial cultures grown without mouse fibroblasts, with mouse fibroblasts and with mouse filtered fibroblast culture medium. 3. After finding optimal culturing conditions and possessing necessary knowledge make a application to clinical approbation. |
| project group | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| no | name | institution | position | |
| 1. | Aavo-Valdur Mikelsaar | ÜMPI | direktor | |
| 2. | Pait Teesalu | Clinicum of Tartu University | Head of the Eye Clinic, Docent in Ophthalmology, U | |
| 3. | Siiri Veromann | ÜMPI | vanemteadur | |