The human cornea is a site of tissue-specific adult progenitor cells, residing between cornea and
conjunctiva in the Palisade of Vogt of the limbus region. Advances in molecular and cell culture techniques
presently provide new platforms to investigate the intrinsic biological roles and properties of cornea epithelial
progenitor cells (CEPCs), which is known to maintain corneal homeostasis throughout human life. Although
specific molecular markers of CEPCs are still to be discovered, results of recent research provide new
information to apply them for cell replacement in damaged tissues. Cultured CEPCs, with the aid of external
support, have been used for ex vivo cornea therapy with satisfactory clinical outcome While the niche
environment, i.e., the extracellular matrix, growth factors and cytokines, provide regulatory measures in the
proliferation of CEPCs. The recent discovery of CEPC specific microRNAs opens a new direction of research
on the biological properties of CEPC and stem cells of other resources. This should facilitate to address
important questions regarding CEPC functions and therapeutic strategies in health and diseases.
