Neural Regeneration Research ›› 2014, Vol. 9 ›› Issue (11): 1100-1103.doi: 10.4103/1673-5374.135311

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The potential of stem cell-based therapy for retinal repair

Honghua Yu 1, 4, Lin Cheng 2, 3, 4, Kin-Sang Cho 4   

  1. 1 Department of Ophthalmology, General Hospital of Guangzhou Military Command of PLA, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
    2 Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
    3 Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Central South University; Hunan Key Laboratory of Pharmacogenetics, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
    4 Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, 20 Staniford St., Boston, MA, USA
  • Received:2014-05-20 Online:2014-06-12 Published:2014-06-12
  • Contact: Kin-Sang Cho, Ph.D., Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, 20 Staniford St., MA 02114, USA, Kinsang_Cho@meei.harvard.edu.

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Abstract:

Retinal degeneration has been known to be caused by genetic mutation, trauma or infection that will lead to irreversible neuronal loss and even blindness. Other than these factors, environmental influences such as ultraviolet radiation and oxidative stress could also bring forth retinal degeneration. Glaucoma, optic neuritis and post-traumatic optic injury are the common retinal diseases leading to degeneration of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and their axons. To achieve the goal of stem cell-based therapy, the survival and integration of transplanted cells are critical. Dr. Kin-Sang Cho from Harvard Medical School in USA suggests that to evaluate the potential of stem cell therapy for neurodegenerative disease in central nervous system, retina may be a good choice to be considered because it is an easily accessible organ. In addition, the cornea clarity makes possible for longitudinal imaging the transplanted cells and measuring the retinal function by non-invasive approaches. In contrast to the complex retinal structure, analyze the integration and functional connection of transplanted cells to the host cells in the spinal cord could be simpler.