Epithelial and mesenchymal progenitor cells in normal and inflamed human lacrimal glands.

Stem/progenitor cells play an important role in tissue repair and regeneration in response to injury and maintain tissue homeostasis. The existence of the progenitor cells within the human lacrimal gland is established, but their distribution and response to tissue injury are unclear. This study investigated progenitor cells' distribution and gene expression in normal and inflamed human lacrimal glands.

Tear Film-Based Diagnostics and Emerging Tissue Engineering Approaches in Personalized Dry Eye Disease Management.

Purpose: The dry eye disease(DED) is caused by many possible factors, manifesting classical symptoms such as irritation, pain, and visual disturbance, which can severely impact the quality of life.  This review aims to critically evaluate currently available point‑of‑care (POC) diagnostic kits for DED, focusing on osmolarity‑based and biomarker‑based assays, while exploring emerging technologies that promise better precision and personalized management.

Methods: A comprehensive literature survey (2010-2025) was undertaken using PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar to identify studies assessing DED pathophysiology, tear film biomarkers, and commercially available diagnostic systems.

The presence of stem cells in the human lacrimal drainage system: A proof of principle study.

PurposeTo investigate the presence of stem cells within the lacrimal drainage system.MethodsA prospective interventional case series where human lacrimal sac tissue biopsies were obtained from patients undergoing endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy or a dacryocystectomy surgery at a tertiary care Dacryology Services. Histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and gene expression studies were performed to check the expression of several basic stem/progenitor specific genes - , and ResultsThe lacrimal sac showed positive expression of general stem cell markers (ABCB5, ABCG2, and P63 and mesenchymal stem cell-specific markers using transcriptional and immunolocalization studies Interestingly, CD73 and CD105 double-positive cells and CD73 and CD90 double-positive cells (specific markers for mesenchymal stem cells) were noted in the lacrimal sac stroma and were confirmed not to be vascular endothelial cells.

Immunological and histopathological changes in alkali burn-induced ocular surface pannus: Implication on success vs. failure of SLET.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the histopathological and immunological characteristics of human alkali burn ocular surface pannus in successful and failed cases of simple limbal epithelial transplantation (SLET).

Methods: Paraffin embedded pannus sections of limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) patients who underwent simple limbal epithelial transplantation were obtained from pathology. Samples included both cases of SLET failure (n = 12) and success (n = 7).

Experimental models for keratoconus: Insights and challenges.

Keratoconus, a progressive corneal disorder characterized by the thinning and conical protrusion of the cornea because of collagen degradation, poses significant challenges to both clinicians and researchers. Most successful animal models of keratoconus are based on genetic mutations and knock-outs in mice and rats that hinder normal corneal stromal architecture, thickness, or strength. While mice and rat models are suitable to study the molecular mechanism and physiological changes to the cornea, they are not suitable for experimental research; especially for surgical interventions like: deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK), stromal lenticule addition keratoplasty, and other advanced therapies.

Neutrophil-driven and interleukin-36γ-associated ocular surface inflammation in chronic Stevens-Johnson syndrome.

Purpose: This study aims to elucidate the tear proteome and understand the underlying molecular mechanisms involved in the ocular complications following Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis (SJS/TEN).

Methods: Mass spectrometry (MS) was performed to quantify the tear fluid proteins from chronic SJS/TEN patients (n = 22 eyes) and age- and gender-matched controls (n = 22 eyes). The candidate proteins were validated using ELISA (n = 80 eyes) in tear samples and immunohistochemistry (IHC; n = 12) in eyelid margin specimens.

Development and validation of a reliable rabbit model of limbal stem cell deficiency by mechanical debridement using an ophthalmic burr.

A simple and reproducible method is necessary to generate reliable animal models of limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) for assessing the safety and efficacy of new therapeutic modalities. This study aimed to develop and validate a rabbit model of LSCD through mechanical injury. The corneal and limbal epithelium of New Zealand White rabbits (n = 18) were mechanically debrided using an ophthalmic burr (Algerbrush II) with a 1.

Optimization and evaluation of tear protein elution from Schirmer's strips in dry eye disease.

Purpose: Extraction of tear protein from Schirmer's strip is a prerequisite for the proper identification and screening of biomarkers in dry eye disease. The study compares different methods of extraction of tear proteins from the Schirmer's strip.

Methods: Reflex tear was collected from healthy controls (HC; n = 12), Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS; n = 3) and dry eye disease (DED; n = 3) patients using capillary tube.