Fig. 8.

Restoration of LSCD by LESC/SF graft transplantation. a Surgical procedure of LESC/SF graft transplantation. Corneal vascular pannus were removed (A1, A2), and PEG-modified SF membranes with or without LESCs were secured with interrupted 10–0 nylon sutures just beyond the limbus (A3, A4). b PEG-modified SF membranes (SF grafts) and LESCs cultured on PEG-modified SF membranes (LESC/SF grafts) were transplanted onto the corneas with LSCD. Representative images of rabbit corneas at 20 and 30 days after transplantation. c Neovascularization and epithelial defects images of rabbit corneas at 60 days after transplantation. Arrows point to the new blood vessels. d–f Neovascularization and clarity scores of rabbit corneas were quantified at 20, 30, and 60 days after transplantation. Data was shown as mean ± SD from three rabbits. Student’s t test: *P < 0.05; ***P < 0.001. LESC limbal epithelial stem cell, SF silk fibroin