Strategies of pluripotent stem cell-based therapy for retinal degeneration: update and challenges

Tadao Maeda; Michiko Mandai; Sunao Sugita; Cody Kime; Masayo Takahashi

doi:10.1016/j.molmed.2022.03.001

Strategies of pluripotent stem cell-based therapy for retinal degeneration: update and challenges

Trends Mol Med. 2022 May;28(5):388-404. doi: 10.1016/j.molmed.2022.03.001. Epub 2022 Apr 1.

Authors

Tadao Maeda¹, Michiko Mandai¹, Sunao Sugita², Cody Kime³, Masayo Takahashi⁴

Affiliations

¹ Research Center, Kobe City Eye Hospital, Kobe 6500-047, Japan; Kobe City Eye Hospital, Department of Ophthalmology, Kobe 6500-047, Japan; Laboratory for Retinal Regeneration, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Kobe 650-0047, Japan.
² Research Center, Kobe City Eye Hospital, Kobe 6500-047, Japan; Kobe City Eye Hospital, Department of Ophthalmology, Kobe 6500-047, Japan; Laboratory for Retinal Regeneration, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Kobe 650-0047, Japan; Vision Care Inc., Kobe 650-0047, Japan.
³ Laboratory for Retinal Regeneration, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Kobe 650-0047, Japan; Trans Ova Genetics, Sioux Center, Iowa, USA.
⁴ Research Center, Kobe City Eye Hospital, Kobe 6500-047, Japan; Kobe City Eye Hospital, Department of Ophthalmology, Kobe 6500-047, Japan; Laboratory for Retinal Regeneration, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Kobe 650-0047, Japan; Vision Care Inc., Kobe 650-0047, Japan. Electronic address: retinalab@ml.riken.jp.

PMID: 35370091
DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2022.03.001

Abstract

Stem cell-based therapy for retinal degeneration is transitioning from the research stage to the clinical stage and is being developed as a treatment across the globe. In clinical studies on induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) transplantation, the safety of the technique has started to clarify, and clinical study on further advances such as the long-desired transplantation of iPSC-derived retina to treat retinitis pigmentosa (RP) has begun. Ophthalmologists are now working closely with basic researchers to incorporate new technology areas with a synergy that is anticipated to realize the practical application of stem cell-based therapy for retinal degeneration.

Keywords: age-related macular degeneration; regenerative medicine; retina; retinal degeneration; retinitis pigmentosa; stem cell.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Humans
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells*
Pluripotent Stem Cells*
Retinal Degeneration* / therapy
Retinal Pigment Epithelium
Stem Cell Transplantation / methods