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Potential therapeutic applications of stem cells in animal models of ocular affections
Taghreed A Hassan1, Yara S Abouelela2, Hamdy Rizk2
1Anatomy and Embryology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, 12211, Egypt. taghreed.ahmed@cu.edu.eg.
Background:
Ocular affections are serious damage to the ocular tissue that results in impaired vision or blindness. Cell-based therapies are a potentially effective therapeutic technique that entails using stem-like precursor cells to induce differentiation of specific cell types and implanting the cells to improve vision in the affected tissue area.
Methods:
Numerous clinical trials were started to investigate the potential benefits of stem cells for treating ocular affections, based on several encouraging findings from the preclinical research. Following our review, data were collected from various databases, "Google Scholar, Springer, Elsevier, Egyptian Knowledge Bank, ProQuest, and PubMed" using different keywords such as corneal ulcer, retinopathy, glaucoma, ocular regeneration, and stem cells to investigate the various methods for regeneration of ocular affections. The data were obtained and analyzed.
Results:
This review includes tables that show all types of stem cells that were used to treat ocular diseases, such as mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), hematopoietic stem cells, neural stem cells, embryonic stem cells, and induced pluripotent stem cells. The several characteristics of MSCs that aid in the restoration and regeneration of injured ocular tissue are outlined in this paper, along with their potential applications in the management of ocular degenerative diseases, as determined by physical, histological, immunohistochemical, and biochemical evaluations. Finally, our review highlights the most effective regenerative strategies that assist in rapid ocular regeneration in a variety of animal models, including mice, rats, rabbits, and goats.
Conclusion:
With the promising results of multiple preclinical studies, stem cell therapy is still a great choice for treating ocular degenerative illnesses. To improve the clinical outcomes, co-transplantation of two or more cell types may be a possibility for future treatment alternatives.
Insights
Stem cell therapy shows promise for treating vision loss from ocular affections. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) demonstrate potential for ocular tissue regeneration and managing degenerative diseases.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Regenerative Medicine
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Ocular affections cause significant vision impairment or blindness.
- Cell-based therapies offer a promising approach using stem-like precursor cells for vision restoration.
- These therapies involve cell differentiation and implantation into damaged ocular tissues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the potential benefits of stem cells in treating various ocular affections.
- To investigate methods for ocular regeneration using stem cells based on preclinical research.
- To analyze data from multiple databases on stem cell applications in ophthalmology.
Main Methods:
- Conducted a literature review across databases like PubMed, Google Scholar, Springer, and Elsevier.
- Utilized keywords including "corneal ulcer," "retinopathy," "glaucoma," "ocular regeneration," and "stem cells."
- Analyzed collected data to identify effective regenerative strategies for ocular affections.
Main Results:
- Reviewed various stem cell types used in ocular disease treatment: mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), hematopoietic stem cells, neural stem cells, embryonic stem cells, and induced pluripotent stem cells.
- Highlighted MSCs' characteristics beneficial for injured ocular tissue restoration and degenerative disease management.
- Identified effective regenerative strategies in animal models (mice, rats, rabbits, goats).
Conclusions:
- Stem cell therapy is a viable option for ocular degenerative diseases, supported by preclinical studies.
- Co-transplantation of multiple cell types may enhance clinical outcomes in future treatments.
- Further research into stem cell applications can lead to improved vision restoration therapies.
