Cell-based therapies for traumatic optic neuropathy: Recent advances, challenges, and perspectives

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Ophthalmology
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Traumatic optic neuropathy (TON) results from trauma, causing progressive retinal ganglion cell loss and axonal degeneration.
• Pathophysiological mechanisms include primary/secondary injury, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and glial scar formation.
• Current treatments have limited efficacy, highlighting the need for novel therapeutic strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advances in cell-based therapies for traumatic optic neuropathy (TON).
• To summarize the potential of various cell types and cell-derived products in neuroprotection and regeneration.
• To identify challenges and future directions for clinical translation of these therapies.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on cell-based therapies for TON.
• Analysis of studies involving stem cell transplantation (embryonic, induced pluripotent, mesenchymal, neural stem/progenitor cells).
• Evaluation of cell-derived products (extracellular vesicles, cell-extracted solutions) and bioengineering strategies.

Main Results:

• Cell replacement therapies using stem cell-derived cells show potential for retinal ganglion cell integration and survival.
• Mesenchymal stem cells and neural stem/progenitor cells promote survival, axonal regeneration, and partial functional recovery.
• Cell-derived products and bioengineering strategies offer neuroprotection and may enhance cell survival and axonal guidance.

Conclusions:

• Cell-based therapies hold significant promise for treating traumatic optic neuropathy (TON).
• Challenges include cell integration, functional recovery, delivery methods, and understanding the retinal microenvironment.
• Clinical translation requires rigorous preclinical validation, standardized protocols, and advanced imaging for optimal therapeutic efficacy.