Future regenerative therapies for corneal disease

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Regenerative Medicine
• Stem Cell Biology

Background:

• Corneal diseases represent a significant cause of visual impairment globally.
• Traditional surgical treatments for corneal diseases have limitations and challenges.
• Stem cell-based therapies offer a novel approach to corneal regeneration.

Approach:

• This review summarizes the progress of stem cell-based regenerative therapies for corneal disease.
• It covers the history, mechanisms, limitations, and future directions of these therapies.
• Key stem cell-based approaches include limbal, stromal, and endothelial stem cell transplantation, as well as stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles.

Key Points:

• Corneal stem cell-based therapies have shown promising preclinical and early clinical results.
• These therapies aim to facilitate tissue regeneration and restore native corneal function.
• Potential benefits include inhibiting fibrosis, inflammation, and neovascularization in corneal disease.

Conclusions:

• Stem cell-based therapy presents a promising therapeutic option for corneal diseases.
• It has the potential to overcome limitations associated with conventional surgical methods.
• Further research and development are crucial for advancing these regenerative treatments.