Human lacrimal gland regeneration: Perspectives and review of literature

Abstract

The human lacrimal gland is an essential component of the lacrimal functional unit (LFU). Any perturbation of this unit can lead to the debilitating morbid condition called the dry eye syndrome (DES). The current line of therapy available for dry eye remains supportive and palliative with the patient being dependent on life long and frequent administration of lubricating eye drops. Even advanced therapies like punctual plugs, cyclosporine B administration, and salivary gland auto-transplantation have led to a limited success. Under these scenarios, the option of cell based therapy needs to be explored to provide better and long term relief to these patients. This review gives an overview of the efforts in lacrimal gland regeneration and examines the past and ongoing research in cell based therapies in animals as well as human lacrimal gland cultures. The authors discuss their first of its kind functionally viable human lacrimal gland in vitro culture system from fresh exenteration specimens. A brief overview of research in near future and the potential implications of lacrimal gland regenerative therapies have been discussed.

Keywords: Dry eye; Lacrimal gland; Regeneration; Stem cells.

Figure 1

The lacrimal functional unit.

Figure 2

Human lacrimal gland in vitro cultures: phase contrast microscope images.

Figure 3

FACS analysis of fresh human lacrimal gland cells.

Figure 4

FACS analysis of cultured human lacrimal gland cells.

Figure 5

Potential cell therapy for aqueous deficient dry eye.