Interspecies comparative morphological evaluation of the corneal epithelial stem cell niche: a pilot observational study



Popova, Petya, Malalana, Fernando, Biddolph, Simon, Ramos, Tiago, Parekh, Mohit, Chantrey, Julian ORCID: 0000-0002-4801-7034 and Ahmad, Sajjad
(2022) Interspecies comparative morphological evaluation of the corneal epithelial stem cell niche: a pilot observational study. JOURNAL OF VETERINARY SCIENCE, 23 (4). e62-.

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Abstract

<h4>Background</h4>The corneal and limbal morphology relevant to corneal epithelial maintenance in ten different species was examined using histological methods.<h4>Objectives</h4>The presence of a Bowman's layer, limbal epithelial cell, and superficial stromal morphology was examined in the following species to evaluate the differences in corneal thickness and epithelium: Java sparrows, frogs, macaws, spoonbills, red pandas, penguins, horses, Dobermans, orangutans, and humans.<h4>Methods</h4>Corneal sections (4 µm) were obtained from ten ocular globes from three different animal classes: Aves, Amphibia, and Mammalia. All sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and periodic acid-Schiff reaction. After microscopy, all stained slides were photographed and analyzed.<h4>Results</h4>Significant morphological differences in the corneal and limbal epithelia and their underlying stroma between species were observed. The number of corneal epithelial cell layers and the overall corneal epithelial thickness varied significantly among the species. The presence of a Bowman's layer was only observed in primates (orangutans and humans). Presumed supranuclear melanin caps were noted in four species (orangutans, macaws, red pandas, and horses) in the limbal basal epithelial layer (putative site of corneal epithelial stem cells). The melanin granules covered the apex of the cell nucleus.<h4>Conclusions</h4>Supranuclear melanin capping has been described as a process within the epidermis to reduce the concentration of ultraviolet-induced DNA photoproducts. Similarly, there may be a relationship between limbal stem cell melanin capping as a protective mechanism against ultra-violet radiation.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: Melanin caps, supranuclear, UV light, cornea, eye
Divisions: Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences
Depositing User: Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited: 26 Jul 2022 12:48
Last Modified: 15 Dec 2022 17:17
DOI: 10.4142/jvs.22009
Open Access URL: https://vetsci.org/search.php?where=aview&id=10.41...
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URI: https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3159573