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Published on: September 12, 2014
Restoration of Corneal Transparency by Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Sharad K Mittal1, Masahiro Omoto2, Afsaneh Amouzegar1
1Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, 20 Staniford Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
Abstract:
Transparency of the cornea is indispensable for optimal vision. Ocular trauma is a leading cause of corneal opacity, leading to 25 million cases of blindness annually. Recently, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have gained prominence due to their inflammation-suppressing and tissue repair functions. Here, we investigate the potential of MSCs to restore corneal transparency following ocular injury. Using an in vivo mouse model of ocular injury, we report that MSCs have the capacity to restore corneal transparency by secreting high levels of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). Interestingly, our data also show that HGF alone can restore corneal transparency, an observation that has translational implications for the development of HGF-based therapy.
