Adipose-derived stem cells are a subtype of mesenchymal stem cell that offers the important advantage of being easily obtained (in an autologous manner) from low invasive procedures, rendering a high number of multipotent stem cells with the potential to differentiate into several cellular lineages, to show immunomodulatory properties, and to promote tissue regeneration by a paracrine action through the secretion of extracellular vesicles containing trophic factors. This secretome is currently being investigated as a potential source for a cell-free based regenerative therapy for human tissues, which would significantly reduce the involved costs, risks and law regulations, allowing for a broader application in real clinical practice. In the current article, we will review the existing preclinical and human clinical evidence regarding the use of such adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells for the regeneration of the three main layers of the human cornea: the epithelium (derived from the surface ectoderm), the stroma (derived from the neural crest mesenchyme), and the endothelium (derived from the neural crest cells).
Keywords: adipose-derived stem cells; cellular therapy; cornea; corneal epithelium; corneal regeneration; corneal stroma; corneal transplant; decellularized cornea; extracellular vesicles; mesenchymal stem cells; regenerative medicine; stem cells.