A promising new study in the United States has shown that stem cells can prevent vision loss. A group of scientists in Oregon has found that the HuCNS-SC Cells can protect the retina from progressive degeneration when transplanted into a rat.
The cells were injected into a rat which has been genetically modified with degenerative retina. Only one eye was injected, while the other was not.
The evaluations showed that the cells survived the transplants and engrafted, and the eyes transplanted with the cells showed preservation of the photoreceptors and stabilisation of visual function. In simple English, that means that the cells have enabled the vision to remain stable and not deteriorate further.
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The cells were injected into a rat which has been genetically modified with degenerative retina. Only one eye was injected, while the other was not.
The evaluations showed that the cells survived the transplants and engrafted, and the eyes transplanted with the cells showed preservation of the photoreceptors and stabilisation of visual function. In simple English, that means that the cells have enabled the vision to remain stable and not deteriorate further.
"The HuCNS-SC cell has proven to have very robust survival, preserving vision in our rat model at time points beyond six months," commented Dr Raymond Lund, who was leading the research. "These data are very encouraging and suggest cell-based therapies for retinal degeneration can be a viable treatment approach."
"This study confirms the results of previously published academic studies evaluating neural stem cell transplantation into the retina and provides us with the rationale to pursue clinical testing of HuCNS-SC cells for retinal disorders," said Stephen Huhn, a vice president at StemCells, Inc.
"This study confirms the results of previously published academic studies evaluating neural stem cell transplantation into the retina and provides us with the rationale to pursue clinical testing of HuCNS-SC cells for retinal disorders," said Stephen Huhn, a vice president at StemCells, Inc.
To read more, click here.
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