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Updated: Jan 25, 2026

Rapid, Directed Differentiation of Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells from Human Embryonic or Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Published on: October 30, 2017
Gene and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Therapy for Retinal Diseases
Akiko Maeda1, Michiko Mandai1, Masayo Takahashi1,2
1Laboratory for Retinal Regeneration, Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, RIKEN, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047, Japan;
Abstract:
Given the importance of visual information to many daily activities, retinal degenerative diseases-which include both inherited conditions (such as retinitis pigmentosa) and acquired conditions (such as age-related macular degeneration)-can have a dramatic impact on human lives. The therapeutic options for these diseases remain limited. Since the discovery of the first causal gene for retinitis pigmentosa almost three decades ago, more than 250 genes have been identified, and gene therapies have been rapidly developed. Simultaneously, stem cell technologies such as induced pluripotent stem cell-based transplantation have advanced and have been applied to the treatment of retinal degenerative diseases. Here, we review recent progress in these expanding fields and discuss the potential for precision medicine in ophthalmic care.
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