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Photoreceptor Cell Replacement Using Pluripotent Stem Cells: Current Knowledge and Remaining Questions
Christelle Monville1,2, Olivier Goureau3, Karim Ben M'Barek1,2,4
1INSERM U861, I-Stem, AFM, Institute for Stem Cell Therapy and Exploration of Monogenic Diseases, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France.
Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Medicine
|January 8, 2023
Summary
Cell therapy using human pluripotent stem cells offers a promising approach for photoreceptor replacement to restore vision lost due to retinal degeneration. Research focuses on overcoming challenges for successful graft integration and functionality.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Regenerative Medicine
- Stem Cell Biology
Background:
- Retinal degeneration leads to irreversible vision loss and is a growing global health concern.
- Current treatments for retinal degeneration are limited, necessitating novel therapeutic strategies.
- Existing approaches include gene therapy, cell therapy, and electronic implants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current treatment strategies for retinal degeneration.
- To focus on cell therapy for photoreceptor replacement using human pluripotent stem cells.
- To discuss the state of the art, challenges, and future directions in this field.
Main Methods:
- Review of current scientific literature on retinal degeneration treatments.
- Focus on preclinical studies involving human pluripotent stem cell-derived photoreceptors.
- Analysis of obstacles and limitations in animal models.
Main Results:
- Cell therapy with human pluripotent stem cells is a key strategy for photoreceptor replacement.
- Preclinical models show potential but also highlight challenges in graft integration and long-term functionality.
- Various obstacles and limitations need to be addressed for clinical translation.
Conclusions:
- Cell therapy holds significant promise for treating retinal degeneration.
- Further research is crucial to improve graft survival, integration, and functional restoration.
- Addressing current limitations will pave the way for effective vision restoration therapies.
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