Stem cells for age-related blindness

Wednesday January 15th, 2014

Scientists are developing a method of using stem cells to replace eye cells in patients with age-related macular degeneration.

The condition, known as AMD, is the top cause of blindness. Vision gradually disappears due to damage to a cell layer under the retina, called the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE).

A team led by Dr Boris Stanzel of the University of Bonn, Germany, tested the use of adult stem cells to replace damaged eye cells. They implanted stem cells into in rabbit eyes, where the implants lasted at least four weeks under the animals' retinas.

In the 2 January issue of Stem Cell Reports, they explain that adult stem cell derived RPE had similar characteristics to foetal cells, so may form a viable and more accessible treatment for AMD.

"These cells have now been used for the first time in research for transplantation purposes," said Dr Stanzel. The stem cells were grown on small polyester discs, yielding a thin cell layer for transplantation.

"Our research group developed special instruments to implant the replacement cells can under the retina," said Dr Stanzel. The implanted cells were seen to be alive after four days, he adds. "That is a clear indication that they have joined with the surrounding cells."

He concludes: "The results from the experiments prove that retinal pigment epithelial cells obtained from adult stem cells have the potential to replace cells destroyed by age-related macular degeneration. Moreover, using the newly developed basic method, it will be possible in the future to test which stem cell lines are suitable for transplantation in the eye. However, clinical application is still far away."

Stanzel, B. V. et al. Human RPE stem cells grown into Polarized RPE Monolayers on a Polyester Matrix are Maintained after grafting into Rabbit Subretinal Space. Stem Cell Reports 2 January 2014 doi: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2013.11.005

Tags: Europe | Eye Health | Transplant

Printer friendly page