Comparative gene expression in the human limbus, conjunctiva and cornea. Homo sapiens

To date, there is no specific marker for limbal epithelial stem cells. The identification of a marker that is expressed in the limbal epithelium but not in the cornea or conjunctiva epithelium has been a growing need. To search for limbal-specific marker(s), we performed preferential gene profiling in the limbus in direct comparison to that in the cornea and conjunctiva using microarray technique. Overall design: This study consisted of gene expression profiles comparing the limbus to the cornea and conjunctiva.