Table 1.
Cell Type | Cell Derivation | Phenotype |
---|---|---|
Neural Crest Cells |
Neural Ectoderm During neural tube closure |
They migrate throughout the developing embryo and contribute to the development of a number of different organs including the eye. The corneal stroma and endothelium are neural crest derivatives |
Keratoblasts |
Neural Crest Cells That migrate between the corneal epithelium and endothelium during development |
They proliferate and produce a hyaluronan-rich ECM containing sparse collagen fibrils |
Keratocytes | Keratoblasts | They replace the hyaluronan-rich ECM with an ECM consistent with transparency containing densely packed collagen fibrils and proteoglycans during late embryonic and post natal development |
Quiescent Keratocytes | Keratocytes | They have a low level of biosynthetic activity to maintain the ECM produced by keratocytes |
Hypercellular Myofibroblasts | Keratocytes/Quiescent Keratocytes | They contain α smooth muscle actin, but produce only low levels of ECM resulting in densely packed cells in a sparse ECM |
Myofibroblasts | Hypercellular Myofibroblasts | They contain α smooth muscle actin and produce high level of ECM, but containing components such as hyaluronan that are not normally present resulting in an ECM inconsistent with transparency |
Wound Fibroblasts |
Hypercellular Myofibroblasts Possibly Myofibroblasts |
They produce an ECM of densely packed fibrils and proteoglycans that restores transparency |
Corneal Fibroblasts | Keratocytes/Quiescent Keratocytes | Result from cell culture in media containing fetal bovine serum. A varying proportion contain α smooth muscle actin |