Stem Cell Treatment in Retinal Diseases: Recent Developments
Journal Title: TÜRK OFTALMOLOJİ DERGİSİ - Year 2018, Vol 48, Issue 1
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 replacement therapy has been evaluated in recent years as an alternative for various pathologies. Degenerative retinal diseases cause progressive visual decline which originates from continuing loss of photoreceptor cells and outer nuclear layers. Theoretically, this therapy will enable the generation of new retinal cells from stem cells to replace the damaged cells in the diseased retina. In addition, stem cells are able to perform multiple functions, such as immunoregulation, anti-apoptosis of neurons, and neurotrophin secretion. With recent progress in experimental stem cell applications, phase I/II clinical trials have been approved. These latest stem cell transplantation studies showed that 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 for degenerative retinal diseases.
Authors and Affiliations
Ayşe Öner
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP265526
- DOI 10.4274/tjo.89972
- Views 99
- Downloads 0
Choroidal Melanoma Metastatic to the Contralateral Medial Rectus After Orbital Exenteration
A 78-year-old Caucasian woman presented with pain in her right and only eye that was worse on abduction. Her history was significant for a choroidal melanoma affecting her left eye for which she underwent an orbital exen...
Maküla Deliği Nedeniyle Retina Dekolmanı Olan Yüksek Miyop Gözde Maküler Çökertme Cerrahisi
Altmış sekiz yaşındaki kadın hasta kliniğimize sağ gözünde bir aydır devam eden merkezi görme alanı kaybı ve görme azalması yakınması ile başvurdu. Düzeltilmiş görme keskinliği (DGK) sağ gözde el hareketleri düzeyinde sa...
Short- and Long-term Results of Glaucoma Valve Implantation for Aniridia-related Glaucoma: A Case Series and Literature Review
Objectives: To report the results obtained from glaucoma drainage device (GDD) implantation in patients with aniridia-related glaucoma and to review the literature. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 6 pa...
A Rare Cause of Uveitis: Vemurafenib
A 25-year-old female presented with a decrease of vision and redness in both eyes. She had a history of nodular melanoma in her right shoulder, which was excised surgically and she was under oral vemurafenib treatment. S...
Investigation of Dry Eye Symptoms in Lecturers by Ocular Surface Disease Index
Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of dry eye symptoms among lecturers. Materials and Methods: The study included 254 lecturers employed at Mersin University. The lecturers were selected by...