Signaling pathways inducing embryonic stem cells to differentiate into epidermal and corneal epithelial cells / 中国药理学与毒理学杂志

ABSTRACT

Stem cells are a group of self-renewal cells with the potential to differentiate into a variety of cell lineages. Embryonic stem cells can differentiate into more than 200 types of cell lineages belonging to endodermal, mesodermal and ectodermal tissues. Corneal epithelial cells derive from epidermal ectoderm during embryonic development. When the ocular surface is severely damaged, corneal epithelium with proliferation potential is essential for its reconstruction. Recent studies are focused on differentiation of bioactive corneal epithelial cells. This review summarizes signaling pathways including Notch, Wnt, bone morphogenetc protein or fibroblast growth factor pathways that are involved in regu?lating the development of embryonic ectoderm and corneal epithelial cells revealed in previous studies.