An injection of stem cells into the eye may soon slow or reverse the effects of early-stage age-related macular degeneration, according to new research from scientists at Cedars-Sinai
Currently, there is no treatment that slows the progression of the disease, which is the leading cause of vision loss in people over 65.
“This is the first study to show preservation of vision after a single injection of adult-derived human cells into a rat model with age-related macular degeneration,” said Shaomei Wang, MD, PhD, lead author of the study published in the journal STEM CELLS and a research scientist in the Eye Program at the Cedars-Sinai Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute.
The stem cell injection resulted in 130 days of preserved vision in laboratory rats, which roughly equates to 16 years in humans.
Age-related macular degeneration affects upward of 15 million Americans. It occurs when the small central portion of the retina, known as the macula, deteriorates. The retina is the light-sensing nerve tissue at the back of the eye. Macular degeneration may also be caused by environmental factors, aging and a genetic predisposition.
When animal models with macular degeneration were injected with induced neural progenitor stem cells, which derive from the more commonly known induced pluripotent stem cells, healthy cells began to migrate around the retina and formed a protective layer. This protective layer prevented ongoing degeneration of the vital retinal cells responsible for vision.
Cedars-Sinai researchers in the Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell (iPSC) Core, directed by Dhruv Sareen, PhD, with support from the David and Janet Polak Foundation Stem Cell Core Laboratory, first converted adult human skin cells into powerful induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC), which can be expanded indefinitely and then made into any cell of the human body. In this study, these induced pluripotent stem cells were then directed toward a neural progenitor cell fate, known as induced neural progenitor stem cells, or iNPCs.
“These induced neural progenitor stem cells are a novel source of adult-derived cells which should have powerful effects on slowing down vision loss associated with macular degeneration,” said Clive Svendsen, PhD, director of the Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute and contributing author to the study. “Though additional pre-clinical data is needed, our institute is close to a time when we can offer adult stem cells as a promising source for personalized therapies for this and other human diseases.”
Read more: Stem Cell Injection May Soon Reverse Vision Loss Caused By Age-Related Macular Degeneration
The Latest on: Age-Related Macular Degeneration
via Google News
The Latest on: Age-Related Macular Degeneration
- Researchers reprogram stem cells to uncover new genetic signatures of age-related AMDon August 2, 2022 at 7:34 am
Researchers are closer to better diagnosing and treating age-related macular degeneration (AMD) after discovering new genetic signatures of the disease by reprogramming stem cells to generate ...
- Scientists Discover Genetic Clues Related to Treating Macular Degenerationon July 28, 2022 at 12:30 pm
Better treatments for an eye condition that can cause blindness are a major step closer after scientists discovered genetic clues that show who has it. Researchers in Australia have unearthed genetic ...
- Molecular Signatures of Age-Related Macular Degeneration Identifiedon July 27, 2022 at 2:10 am
The discovery of molecular signatures of the incurable eye disease, age-related macular degeneration, could improve diagnosis and treatment.
- Clues to age-related macular degeneration revealedon July 26, 2022 at 12:51 pm
Better diagnosis and treatment of the incurable eye disease age-related macular degeneration is a step closer, thanks to the discovery of new genetic signatures of the disease.
- Macular Degeneration Molecular Signature May Aid Diagnosis, Treatmenton July 26, 2022 at 5:00 am
The discovery of molecular signatures of age-related macular degeneration aid diagnosis and treatment of the progressive eye disease.
- Better Diagnosis and Treatment: Genetic Clues to Age-Related Macular Degenerationon July 26, 2022 at 2:01 am
The discovery of molecular signatures of age-related macular degeneration will help with better diagnosis and treatment of this progressive eye disease. Thanks to the discovery of new genetic ...
- Genetic clues to age-related macular degeneration revealedon July 26, 2022 at 2:00 am
Better diagnosis and treatment of the incurable eye disease age-related macular degeneration is a step closer, thanks to the discovery of new genetic signatures of the disease.
- Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) Market Research Report 2022on July 26, 2022 at 1:58 am
The "Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) - Market Insight, Epidemiology And Market Forecast - 2032" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. This 'Age-related Macular ...
- Faricimab reduces treatment burden of neovascular age-related macular degeneration: Lanceton July 20, 2022 at 7:30 am
A new study published in The Lancet suggests that Faricimab can effectively prolong the duration between treatments with continued efficacy and reduce treatment burden in patients with ...
- Macular Degeneration Explained: Causes, Symptoms, And Treatmentson July 20, 2022 at 6:56 am
Many conditions can cause vision loss or even blindness, and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the most common. Here's what we know about it.
via Bing News