Cells 2012, 1(4), 851-873; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells1040851
Recent Advances towards the Clinical Application of Stem Cells for Retinal Regeneration
1
Ocular Biology and Therapeutics, Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, 11-43 Bath Street, London EC1V 9EL, UK
2
NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London EC1V 2PD, UK
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Received: 3 September 2012 / Revised: 29 September 2012 / Accepted: 10 October 2012 / Published: 18 October 2012
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tissue and Organ Regeneration)
Abstract
Retinal degenerative diseases constitute a major cause of irreversible blindness in the world. Stem cell-based therapies offer hope for these patients at risk of or suffering from blindness due to the deterioration of the neural retina. Various sources of stem cells are currently being investigated, ranging from human embryonic stem cells to adult-derived induced pluripotent stem cells as well as human Müller stem cells, with the first clinical trials to investigate the safety and tolerability of human embryonic stem cell-derived retinal pigment epithelium cells having recently commenced. This review aims to summarize the latest advances in the development of stem cell strategies for the replacement of retinal neurons and their supportive cells, the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) affected by retinal degenerative conditions. Particular emphasis will be given to the advances in stem cell transplantation and the challenges associated with their translation into clinical practice. View Full-TextKeywords:
stem cells; retina; retinal pigment epithelium; photoreceptors; retinal ganglion cells; retinal degenerative diseases; transplantation; translational research
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 3.0).
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MDPI and ACS Style
Becker, S.; Jayaram, H.; Limb, G.A. Recent Advances towards the Clinical Application of Stem Cells for Retinal Regeneration. Cells 2012, 1, 851-873.