The keratocyte, or corneal fibroblast, is a highly specialized cell that is sandwiched between orthogonally arranged layers of collagen lamellae in the corneal stroma. They play a key role in maintaining the structure and transparency of the cornea as they are the source of stromal collagen and proglycans. They also play important roles in corneal wound healing and tissue repair and are known to undergo phenotypic transformations in wounds due to the influence of growth factors and cytokines. Under normal conditions, the keratocyte in the adult cornea is a relatively quiescent cell. However, in the event of a corneal injury or trauma, the keratocytes differentiate into active, synthesizing cells and rapidly replace damaged stromal matrix. Cultured human keratocytes express functional IL-4Rs and IL-17R on cell surface, suggesting that these cells may contribute to the role of IL-4 and IL-17 as mediators of allergic reactions in the cornea. Changes in gene expression were reproducibly observed on keratocytes after interleukin-1 treatment which provides important insight in gene expression and suggests novel therapeutic targets for the control of corneal inflammation.HK from AcceGen Research Laboratories are isolated from human cornea. HK are cryopreserved at primary culture. Each vial contains ＆gt;5×10^5 cells in 1 ml volume. HK are characterized by their spindle morphology and immunofluorescent method with antibody to fibronectin. HK are negative for HIV-1, HBV, HCV, mycoplasma, bacteria, yeast and fungi. HK are guaranteed to further expand for 15 population doublings at the condition provided by AcceGen Research Laboratories.
