eye_upper_slim part of part of neural crest derived fibroblast fibroblast keratocyte 2010-09-22T01:57:40Z A keratocyte is a specialized fibroblast residing in the cornea stroma that has a flattened, dendritic morphology; located between the lamellae with a large flattened nucleus, and lengthy processes which communicate with neighboring cells. This corneal layer, representing about 85-90% of corneal thickness, is built up from highly regular collagenous lamellae and extracellular matrix components. Keratocytes play the major role in keeping it transparent, healing its wounds, and synthesizing its components. This cell type secretes collagen I, V, VI, and keratan sulfate. corneal keratocyte Keratocytes, also referred to as corneal fibroblasts, are specific cell types that primarily reside in the stromal layer of the cornea. Highly specialized, these cells play an essential role in the maintenance and repair of corneal tissue, thereby contributing to clear, distortion-free vision. As fibroblasts, their function often involves synthesis and secretion of the extracellular matrix, which gives the corneal stroma its structural integrity. Keratocytes are primarily responsible for the synthesis of collagen and proteoglycans, the principal components of the stromal extracellular matrix (ECM). The high optical clarity of the cornea is largely attributed to the unique arrangement of collagen fibrils, and keratocytes play a fundamental role in maintaining this arrangement. In response to corneal wounds or injuries, the keratocytes near the wound site become activated and undergo a transformation into a specialized phenotype, often referred to as repair keratocytes or activated keratocytes. During corneal repair, these activated keratocytes proliferate and migrate to the wound site, where they differentiate into myofibroblasts. Myofibroblasts play a significant role in wound contraction and synthesis of an alternative ECM required for wound closure. However, the overzealous activity of myofibroblasts can lead to corneal haze, a condition that impairs vision, and numerous studies suggest that optimal wound healing involves a delicate balance between repair and the pro-scar actions of myofibroblasts. (This extended description was generated by ChatGPT and reviewed by the CellGuide team, who added references, and by the CL editors, who approved it for inclusion in CL. It may contain information that applies only to some subtypes and species, and so should not be considered definitional.) corneal fibroblast https://cellxgene.cziscience.com/cellguide/CL_0002363 substantia propria of cornea