Cell Therapy in Ophthalmological Disease

A special issue of Bioengineering (ISSN 2306-5354). This special issue belongs to the section "Regenerative Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 March 2025) | Viewed by 1006

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Laboratory for Experimental Ophthalmology, Department of Ophthalmology, University Clinic Düsseldorf, Merowingerplatz 1A, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
Interests: tissue engineering; cells; bioremediation; stem cells; regenerative therapies

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The field of ophthalmological cell therapy is rapidly advancing, offering promising avenues for treating various ocular diseases. This Special Issue explores cutting-edge research and innovations aimed at regenerating ocular defects, assessing treatment efficacy through novel in vitro models, and introducing new cell therapies. Recent developments highlight exciting new approaches for regenerating ocular defects. Stem cell-based therapies show potential in repairing damaged retinal tissue and restoring visual function. Advances in gene editing techniques, such as CRISPR-Cas9, offer precise tools for correcting genetic mutations implicated in inherited eye disorders like retinitis pigmentosa or ocular pemphigus. In vitro models have evolved significantly, providing more accurate platforms to evaluate the efficacy and safety of cell therapies. Organoid cultures derived from patient-specific cells allow researchers to mimic complex ocular tissues, facilitating personalized treatment strategies. Moreover, novel cell therapies are emerging as promising treatments for a spectrum of ocular diseases. From retinal pigment epithelial cell transplants for age-related macular degeneration to mesenchymal stem cell injections for diabetic retinopathy, these therapies aim to halt disease progression and improve visual outcomes. This Special Issue consolidates the latest research advancements, offering insights into the future landscape of ophthalmological cell therapy. By highlighting innovative approaches and transformative therapies, it seeks to catalyze further progress in the field, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for patients with ocular diseases.

Prof. Dr. Florian K. Groeber-Becker
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • ophthalmological cell therapy
  • retinal pigment epithelial cell transplants
  • mesenchymal stem cell
  • ocular disease

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Review

36 pages, 1492 KiB  
Review
New Insights into the Role of Cellular Senescence and Its Therapeutic Implications in Ocular Diseases
by Junying Wu, Xiuxing Liu, Yidan Liu, Wenru Su and Yehong Zhuo
Bioengineering 2025, 12(6), 563; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering12060563 - 23 May 2025
Viewed by 501
Abstract
The process of aging exerts profound effects on various physiological systems, leading to the progression of chronic degenerative disorders and pathologies associated with advancing age. Cellular senescence plays a central role in the aging process and the onset of various eye conditions associated [...] Read more.
The process of aging exerts profound effects on various physiological systems, leading to the progression of chronic degenerative disorders and pathologies associated with advancing age. Cellular senescence plays a central role in the aging process and the onset of various eye conditions associated with advancing age, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy (DR), glaucoma, cataracts, and ocular surface disorders. The accumulation of senescent cells (SnCs) and their secretion of pro-inflammatory and tissue-remodeling factors, collectively known as the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), exacerbate chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and tissue dysfunction, contributing to disease progression. This study is the first to systematically integrate the multifaceted mechanisms of cellular senescence in ocular diseases, revealing differential regulatory mechanisms of specific signaling pathways across different ocular pathologies, thereby providing novel insights into the pathogenesis of these disorders. SnC-targeted therapies such as senolytics, senomorphics, SASP modulators, mitochondrial-targeted antioxidants, and epigenetic reprogramming are emerging as regenerative therapies, demonstrating potent anti-inflammatory effects, restoration of normal tissue physiology, and successful regeneration of ocular defects in preclinical models and clinical trials, while slowing senescence-associated disease progression. This review not only summarizes the role of cellular senescence in ocular diseases but also delves into potential therapeutic strategies, particularly highlighting novel perspectives for root-cause-targeted therapies from the unique angle of senescence biology, which may pioneer new directions for the treatment of ocular pathologies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cell Therapy in Ophthalmological Disease)
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