Limbal epithelial stem cells and conjunctival goblet cells (LESC/CGC)

Limbal epithelial stem cells (LESCs) and conjunctival goblet cells (CGCs) are essential cellular components that maintain the physiological integrity and transparency of the ocular surface. LESCs are located in the basal limbal epithelium and are responsible for the continuous regeneration of the corneal epithelium, acting as a barrier against the encroachment of the conjunctiva (Pellegrini et al., 2014, PubMed). Conjunctival goblet cells are specialized secretory cells that produce MUC5AC, a gel-forming mucin that stabilizes the tear film and protects the ocular surface from desiccation and pathogens (Gipson, 2016, PubMed). Dysfunction or depletion of these cells leads to severe ocular surface diseases, including limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) and dry eye disease, which can result in corneal scarring and vision loss (Dua et al., 2000, PubMed). While these are cell populations rather than single molecular targets, they are the focus of therapeutic interventions ranging from anti-inflammatory drugs like cyclosporine, which preserves goblet cell density, to regenerative medicine approaches such as autologous limbal epithelial cell transplantation (Pflugfelder, 2004, PubMed).

Other names

Limbal stem cellsCorneal epithelial stem cellsConjunctival mucous cellsLESCsCGCs

Drugs targeting these cell populations primarily function through anti-inflammatory pathways to preserve cell density, neurotrophic support to enhance stem cell survival, or cholinergic stimulation to induce mucin secretion.