Stem Cell Treatment in Retinal Diseases: Recent Developments

Abstract

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells which have the ability to self-renew and differentiate into mature cells. They are highly proliferative,implying that an unlimited number of mature cells can be generated from a given stem cell source. On this basis, stem cell replacementtherapy has been evaluated in recent years as an alternative for various pathologies. Degenerative retinal diseases cause progressive visualdecline which originates from continuing loss of photoreceptor cells and outer nuclear layers. Theoretically, this therapy will enablethe generation of new retinal cells from stem cells to replace the damaged cells in the diseased retina. In addition, stem cells are able toperform multiple functions, such as immunoregulation, anti-apoptosis of neurons, and neurotrophin secretion. With recent progress inexperimental stem cell applications, phase I/II clinical trials have been approved. These latest stem cell transplantation studies showedthat this therapy is a promising approach to restore visual function in eyes with degenerative retinal diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa,Stargardts’ macular dystrophy, and age-related macular degeneration. This review focuses on new developments in stem cell therapy fordegenerative retinal diseases.