Johnson Thomas V, Bull Natalie D, Martin Keith R
Cambridge Centre for Brain Repair, University of Cambridge ED Adrian Building Forvie Site, Robinson Way, Cambridge, CB2 OPY, UK.
Expert Rev Ophthalmol. 2011 Apr 1;6(2):165-174. doi: 10.1586/eop.11.3.
Glaucoma is a progressive, neurodegenerative, optic neuropathy in which currently available therapies cannot always prevent, and do not reverse, vision loss. Stem cell transplantation may provide a promising new avenue for treating many presently incurable degenerative conditions, including glaucoma. This article will explore the various ways in which transplantation of stem or progenitor cells may be applied for the treatment of glaucoma. We will critically discuss the translational prospects of two cell transplantation-based treatment modalities: neuroprotection and retinal ganglion cell replacement. In addition, we will identify specific questions that need to be addressed and obstacles to overcome on the path to clinical translation, and offer insight into potential strategies for approaching this goal.
青光眼是一种进行性神经退行性视神经病变,目前可用的治疗方法并不能总是预防视力丧失,也无法使其逆转。干细胞移植可能为治疗包括青光眼在内的许多目前无法治愈的退行性疾病提供一条有前景的新途径。本文将探讨干细胞或祖细胞移植可用于治疗青光眼的各种方式。我们将批判性地讨论基于细胞移植的两种治疗模式的转化前景:神经保护和视网膜神经节细胞替代。此外,我们将确定在临床转化道路上需要解决的具体问题和需要克服的障碍,并深入探讨实现这一目标的潜在策略。