Rescue of retinal degeneration by intravitreally injected adult bone marrow-derived lineage-negative hematopoietic stem cells.

Otani A, Dorrell MI, Kinder K, Moreno SK, Nusinowitz S, Banin E, Heckenlively J, Friedlander M. Source Department of Cell Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, USA. Abstract Inherited retinal degenerations afflict 1 in 3,500 individuals and are a heterogeneous group of diseases that result in profound vision loss, usually the result…

Intravitreal injection of erythropoietin protects both retinal vascular and neuronal cells in early diabetes.

Zhang J, Wu Y, Jin Y, Ji F, Sinclair SH, Luo Y, Xu G, Lu L, Dai W, Yanoff M, Li W, Xu GT. Source Laboratory of Clinical Visual Sciences, Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China. Abstract PURPOSE:…

Neuroprotective effects of intravitreal mesenchymal stem cell transplantation in experimental glaucoma.

Johnson TV, Bull ND, Hunt DP, Marina N, Tomarev SI, Martin KR. Source Centre for Brain Repair, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom. Abstract Purpose. Retrograde neurotrophic factor transport blockade has been implicated in the pathophysiology of glaucoma. Stem cell transplantation appears to ameliorate some neurodegenerative conditions in the brain and spinal cord, in part…

Use of Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca in a Canine Model

Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) or dry eye disease (DED) is an immune-mediated multifactorial disease, with high level of prevalence in humans and dogs. Our aim in this study was to investigate the therapeutic effects of allogeneic adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (Ad-MSCs) implanted around the lacrimal glands in 12 dogs (24 eyes) with KCS, which is refractory…

Visual Observations of an American Patient With Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy After Purported Injections of Stem Cells in China

We describe our clinical observations of a patient with Leber hereditary optic neuropathy and acute vision loss. She received what she was told were umbilical cord blood stem cells by a clinic in Qingdao, China. A 42-year-old woman noted vision loss in August 2009. Visual acuity was 20/80 (55 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study [ETDRS]…

Regenerative Therapeutic Potential of Adipose Stromal Cells in Early Stage Diabetic Retinopathy

Abstract Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the leading cause of blindness in working-age adults. Early stage DR involves inflammation, vascular leakage, apoptosis of vascular cells and neurodegeneration. In this study, we hypothesized that cells derived from the stromal fraction of adipose tissue (ASC) could therapeutically rescue early stage DR features. Streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic athymic nude…

A review of the potential to restore vision with stem cells.

Clin Exp Optom. 2008 Jan;91(1):78-84. A review of the potential to restore vision with stem cells. Mooney I, LaMotte J. Source Southern California College of Optometry, Fullerton, California 92831, USA. Abstract Vision research involving stem cells is a rapidly evolving field. Animal experiments have shown that in response to environmental cues, stem cells can repopulate damaged retinas,…

Current approaches and future prospects for stem cell rescue and regeneration of the retina and optic nerve.

Can J Ophthalmol. 2010 Aug;45(4):333-41. doi: 10.3129/i10-077. Current approaches and future prospects for stem cell rescue and regeneration of the retina and optic nerve. Dahlmann-Noor A, Vijay S, Jayaram H, Limb A, Khaw PT. Source UCL Partners AHSC, London, United Kingdom. Abstract The 3 most common causes of visual impairment and legal blindness in developed countries (age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy) share 1 end point: the loss of neural cells of the eye.…

Genetic basis of inherited macular dystrophies and implications for stem cell therapy.

Stem Cells. 2009 Nov;27(11):2833-45. doi: 10.1002/stem.159. Genetic basis of inherited macular dystrophies and implications for stem cell therapy. Mellough CB, Steel DH, Lako M. Source Institute of Human Genetics, Newcastle University, International Centre for Life, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 3BZ, United Kingdom. Abstract Untreatable hereditary macular dystrophy (HMD) presents a major burden to society in terms of the resulting patient disability and the cost to the healthcare provision system. HMD results in…