Stem Cell research could benefit people with eye disease


With the number of human donated corneas at an all time low many people who have eye or cornea disease will unfortunately continue to suffer. However, a new research project has revealed stem cells (which are found in the human umbilical cord) could hold the answer to reinstating the natural transparency of the cornea and possibly thicken the cornea.

Currently, corneal transplants are the only solution to restore any blindness that has been caused through corneal scarring. Equally, people with thin corneas cannot always receive Lasik laser eye surgery as it is too dangerous to perform on thin corneas. Yet, it seems there is a catch-twenty-two situation as the reduced number of cornea donors has been so dramatic due to laser eye surgeries, such as Lasik being on the increase. This means fewer and fewer people are eligible as a cornea donor. However, if this research proves effective and safe, the number of people eligible for Lasik surgery could increase without continuing to have a dampening affect on people who need cornea transplants.

The new study, as conducted by Professor Kao of the University of Cincinnati, involved the transplantation of human umbilical stem cells into mouse eyes. The mice used were lacking in the protein lumican which controls the corneal transparency by forming and maintaining it. Once transplanted this protein survived for over three months and showed few signs of rejection from the eye. This in itself was a major breakthrough, as previous research which used hematopoietic stem cells (also found in the human umbilical cord) found they were rejected by the eye as something foreign to the body. Furthermore, in this latest study, once the protein lumican was taken in by the eye it also appeared to restore its natural transparency.

Whilst this is yet to be tested in humans, it does hold a good prospect for anyone who is in need of a cornea transplant. Equally, Kao describes the cells as being easy to access before isolating and free-flowing due to them being found in every newborns umbilical cord. They are also easy to reproduce before storage and are then rapidly available as and when they should be needed.

14th December 2009

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