Wnt信号通路调控角膜缘干细胞的研究进展

The role of the Wnt signaling pathway in limbal stem cells

角膜缘干细胞位于角巩膜缘上皮细胞基底层，在保持角膜上皮完整性和角膜上皮修复过程中有重要作用。Wnt信号通路（包括经典通路即Wnt／β-catenin信号通路，非经典通路即Wnt—Ca2＋信号通路和Wnt／JNK信号通路）是参与干细胞增殖调控的重要信号通路之一，近年来其对角膜缘干细胞的调控作用逐渐被广泛关注。Wnt信号通路参与角膜缘干细胞体外培养增殖分化的调控，对角膜干细胞功能缺陷的临床转化研究具有重要意义。

Limbal stem ceils （ LSCs）, the basal layer of the limbal epithelium, are essential for maintenance of corneal epithelium strnctural integrity and corneal epithelial healing after damage. Wnt signaling pathway include canonical signaling pathway （namely Wnt/beta-eatenin signaling pathway） and non-canonical signaling pathways （namely Wnt-Ca2＋ signaling pathway and Wnt/JNK signaling pathway）. Wnt signaling pathway is one of the most important pathways that participate in the regulation of proliferation of tumor cells and stem cells. It plays an important role in the regulation of the differentiation and proliferation of LSCs. And it is of great significance and might act as a potential target in the translational research of limbal stern cell deficiency.