Sophie Deng Laboratory
Cornea
Sophie X. Deng, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor
- Walton Li Chair in Cornea and Uveitis
- Co-Chief, Cornea Division
- Vice Chair for Inspiring Excellence
- Department of Ophthalmology
- Jules Stein Eye Institute
The Cornea Biology Laboratory, under Dr. Deng's direction, studies the limbal epithelial stem cells (LSCs) and their microenvironment to elucidate the mechanisms by which these cells and the niche factors aid in the regeneration of the corneal surface in patients suffering from limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD). The role of signaling pathways such as Wnt and Notch in the regulation of LSCs and modulation of these signaling pathways in vitro and in vivo through small molecules is under investigation.
Two clinical studies aimed to characterize the cellular changes in the cornea and limbus leading to LSCD and to study the safety and efficacy of LSC transplantation are ongoing. The first study aims to evaluate and validate in vivo parameters using multimodal imaging such as anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) and in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) to diagnose and stage LSCD and to assess LSCD treatment outcome. The second clinical study is a Phase I clinical trial to assess the safety, feasibility and efficacy of autologous cultivated LSC therapy in patients suffering from severe or total LSCD (more info here).
Another research project focused on the stromal cell layer of the cornea aims to treat corneal stromal scars with extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from corneal stromal stem cells (CSSCs), which are multipotent mesenchymal stem cells that regenerate normal corneal stroma and significantly reduce corneal scarring by mediating anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrosis processes. The specific content (cargo) of the EVs and mechanism of action is also under investigation. Pre-clinical research is ongoing to develop an EV-based therapy that could be directly applied to the eye to reduce corneal stromal scarring and improve vision.
Lab Members
Postdoctoral Scholars
Yu-Wen Hung
Postdoctoral Scholar
Yu-Wen investigates the mechanisms by which small molecules activate Wnt in limbal stem cells, assesses dose-dependent toxicity, and explores potential translational studies for safe clinical applications in LSC deficiency.
Saki Sakakura(she/her)
postdoctoral scholar
My research interest is to investigate into the mechanism of extracellular vesicles treatment to corneal scar.
xiaoqingsong(he)
Postdoctoral Scholar
Multi-Omics Profiling of Corneal Stromal Stem Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Identifies Functional Biomarkers for Corneal Scarring
Undergraduate Students
Rich Lai
Undergraduate
Rich is interested in corneal biology, regenerative medicine, and understanding how cells respond to injury. In the Deng Lab, he studies how exosomes derived from human corneal stromal stem cells affect corneal wound healing, particularly their role in regulating cell death and inflammation. His current work focuses on identifying different cell death pathways using immunofluorescence staining, confocal microscopy, and image analysis to better understand how exosomes may promote corneal repair.
Abigail O’Brien(She/her)
Undergraduate Researcher
Abigail investigates the role of Wnt signaling on limbal stem cell phenotype and renewal for potential treatment of limbal stem cell deficiency.
Arushi Somani(she/her)
Undergraduate
Arushi studies microRNAs involved in corneal stem cell function and regeneration. Her research focuses on identifying miRNA biomarkers associated with corneal stem and progenitor cells.
Recent Publications
Limbal Epithelial Cells Detected in Stage III Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency by Multimodal Anterior Segment Imaging
CLEMENCE BONNET, MEHRNOOSH MAALHAGHFARD, SOPHIE X. DENG
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OPHTHALMOLOGY (2026)
View PublicationDemographics, Prevalence, and Characteristics of Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency in Southern California
Clemence Bonnet, Qihua Le, Daniel Cordova, Sheyla Gonzalez, Chi-Hong Tseng, Sophie X. Deng
Cornea (2025)
View PublicationPredictors of Post-treatment Visual Improvement After Bacterial Keratitis Infection at a Referral Center in Southern California
Onyinye Onyia, Elise L. Ma, Kishan Gupta, Omai B. Garner, Sophie X. Deng, Simon S. M. Fung
Cornea (2025)
View PublicationDelayed Onset Infectious Crystalline Keratopathy After Corneal Cross-linking
Angela C. Chen, Sophie X. Deng, Anthony J. Aldave
Cornea (2025)
View PublicationOn the Feasibility of SERS-Based Monitoring of Drug Loading Efficiency in Exosomes for Targeted Delivery
Jun Liu, Siddharth Srivastava, Tieyi Li, Faycal Moujane, John Y. Lee, Yiqing Chen, …, Sophie X. Deng, et al.
BIOSENSORS-BASEL (2025)
View PublicationCorneal Stromal Stem Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Attenuate ANGPTL7 Expression in the Human Trabecular Meshwork
Faycal Moujane, Chi Zhang, Robert Knight, John Y. Lee, Sophie X. Deng, Jie J. Zheng
TRANSLATIONAL VISION SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY (2025)
View PublicationMicrobiology Profiles and Antibiotic Susceptibility in Pediatric Microbial Keratitis
CORNEA (2025)
View PublicationAdvances in the Diagnosis and Management of Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency
Thanachaporn Kittipibul, Chea Piseth Dalin, Ali Masoudi, Jie Zheng, Sophie X. Deng
Cornea (2024)
View PublicationComparison of Automated and Manual Measurement of Corneal Epithelial Thickness in Eyes With Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency
Thanachaporn Kittipibul, Rutuja Unhale, Clemence Bonnet, Chi-Hong Tseng, Sophie X. Deng
CORNEA (2024)
View PublicationThree-Dimensional Reconstruction of Subbasal Nerve Density in Eyes With Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency: A Pilot Study
Theo Stoddard-Bennett, Clémence Bonnet, Sophie X. Deng
CORNEA (2024)
View Publication