Amniotic membrane derived stem cell transplants show benefit in retinal diseases

(c) Cell Transplantation

A team of researchers at the CHA University in South Korea has successfully transplanted mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) derived from human amniotic membranes of the placenta (AMSCs) into laboratory mice modeled with oxygen-induced retinopathy, which is used to simulate many retinal diseases. The treatment aimed at suppressing abnormal angiogenesis (blood vessel growth) which is recognized as the cause of many eye diseases, such as diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration. The researchers reported that the AMSCs successfully migrated to the retinas of the test animals and, because of the growth factors secreted by the cells, were able to suppress retinal neovascularization.

The benefit of using MSCs in stem cell therapy is their ability to self-renew and differentiate into a variety of specialized cell types, such as osteoblasts (cells that contribute to bone formation), chondrocytes (cartilage cells), adipocytes (fat cells), myocardiocytes (heart muscle cells), and neuron-like cells (nervous system cells).

In addition, it has been shown that MSCs have the ability to modulate the immune response and reduce local inflammation. They can be isolated from a variety of sources, such as adipose (fat) tissues, tendons, peripheral blood, umbilical cord blood, human placenta, and bone marrow. MSCs have been successfully transplanted in a number of disease models for which they have been shown to offer therapeutic benefits. MSCs isolated from human placenta, however, may be richer in growth factors than those derived from other sources because of their essential role in fetal development, said the researchers.

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