The role of ABCB5-expressing mesenchymal stem cells in pterygium pathogenesis

角膜是我们通向世界的窗口。虽然正常情况下无血管和透明的眼部病变，包括翼状胬肉(一种紫外线诱导的角膜上进展的纤维血管肿瘤)，可导致血管化和混浊，损害视力。虽然翼状胬肉可以手术治疗，但其复发率仍然高得令人无法接受，导致患者不适，并给医疗系统带来负担。我们已经鉴定了一群间充质干细胞(MSCs)，它们在翼状胬肉基质中表达ABCB5蛋白。在这项研究中，我们旨在探讨它们在翼状胬肉发生和发展中的作用。阐明ABCB5阳性的PMSC的(淋巴管)血管生成和炎症作用，以及最终它们的药物靶向，将有助于开发新的治疗策略来对抗翼状胬肉的进展和复发。

The cornea is our window to the world. While normally avascular and transparent ocular pathologies, including pterygium (a UV-induced fibrovascular tumor advancing on the cornea), can cause vascularisation and opacification, impairing vision. While pterygium can be surgically treated, its recurrence rates remain unacceptably high, causing patient discomfort and burdening the healthcare system. We have identified a population of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) that express the protein ABCB5 in the pterygium stroma. In this study, we aim to investigate their role in pterygium onset and progression. Elucidation of the (lymphatic) angiogenic and inflammatory effects of ABCB5-positive PMSC and eventually their pharmaceutical targeting will contribute to the development of new therapeutic strategies against pterygium progression and recurrence.