Potential therapeutic applications of mesenchymal stem cells for the treatment of eye diseases

Abstract

Stem cell-based treatments have been extensively explored in the last few decades to develop therapeutic strategies aimed at providing effective alternatives for those human pathologies in which surgical or pharmacological therapies produce limited effects. Among stem cells of different sources, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) offer several advantages, such as the absence of ethical concerns, easy harvesting, low immunogenicity and reduced tumorigenesis risks. Other than a multipotent differentiation ability, MSCs can release extracellular vesicles conveying proteins, mRNA and microRNA. Thanks to these properties, new therapeutic approaches have been designed for the treatment of various pathologies, including ocular diseases. In this review, the use of different MSCs and different administration strategies are described for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and retinitis pigmentosa. In a large number of investigations, positive results have been obtained by in vitro experiments and by MSC administration in animal models. Most authors agree that beneficial effects are likely related to MSC paracrine activity. Based on these considerations, many clinical trials have already been carried out. Overall, although some adverse effects have been described, promising outcomes are reported. It can be assumed that in the near future, safer and more effective protocols will be developed for more numerous clinical applications to improve the quality of life of patients affected by eye diseases.

Protective Effects of Human Pericyte-like Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Human Retinal Endothelial Cells in an In Vitro Model of Diabetic Retinopathy: Evidence for Autologous Cell Therapy

“…The use of MSCs and their administration strategies for the treatment of ocular diseases, including DR, have been previously described [ 31 ]. In in vitro and in vivo experiments, MSC administration in animal models demonstrated positive results, mainly attributable to their paracrine activity.…”

“…The use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has been tested with encouraging outcomes for optic neuropathy, age-related macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, DR, and glaucoma. Many studies have been centered on MSCs derived from bone marrow, umbilical cord, conjunctiva, and from adipose tissue [ 31 , 32 ]. In particular, it has been demonstrated that adipose-derived MSCs (ASCs) were able to reverse the HG-induced reduction in physiological angiogenesis in human retinal microvascular ECs, and exert a therapeutic role in DR through their pericyte-like functions, cell-to-cell contact, and the secretion of factors and cytokines [ 33 ].…”

Genetic Modification as a New Approach to Ameliorate the Therapeutic Efficacy of Stem Cells in Diabetic Retinopathy

“…46 In the coming years more standardised and effective protocols are required to perform safer clinical trials for genetically modified stem cells. 96…”

Treatment of Inherited Retinal Dystrophies with Somatic Cell Therapy Medicinal Product: A Review

“…At the same time, organoid technology still has problems to be solved before it can be applied in the clinic. For all these reasons, MSCs show great potential and could be a prospective tool for the treatment of retinal diseases [ 70 , 71 ]. The definition of MSCs is based on the phenotypic expression of a distinct set of cell surface markers as CD105, CD90, and CD73 but lacking CD79, CD45, CD34, CD19, CD14, CD11b and Human Leukocyte Antigen Class II (HLA-II) [ 72 , 73 ].…”