ABSTRACT
Background & objectives: Sources of autologous tissue that can functionally replace the corneal epithelium have been considered as an alternative to allogenous limbal transplants for limbal stem cells deficiency (LSCD). The aim of the present study was to compare the characterization of oral mucosa with limbal epithelial cells by markers using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Methods: Experiments were performed using oral tissue (n=6) obtained from patients who underwent oral mucosal graft for LSCD. Confluent cultures of limbus and oral mucosa epithelial cells were characterized by the pututative stem cell markers using RT-PCR. The morphological characteristics of cultivated epithelial cells were analyzed by haematoxylin and eosin staining and phase contrast microscopy. Results: Confluent sheets of epithelial cells were seen at the end of 14th day resembling the morphological features of limbal epithelia. RT–PCR analysis showed that cultured oral epithelial cells expressed markers such as ABCG2, p63, delta Np63, isoforms of p63, Keratin 3 (K3), membrane protein – Mucin (MUC 1, 4 and 16) and Antimicrobial Peptide - AMP (Human β Defensin – hBD 1, 2 and 3). Interpretation & conclusions: Oral epithelial cultures have morphological features resembling corneal and limbal epithelial cells by expressing similar marker genes. Thus, feasibility of clinical use of oral epithelial cells need be evaluated for allogenous limbal transplants.