Stem Cell Injection May Reverse Age-Related Vision-Loss, Researchers Reveal

A study published in the journal Stem Cell discovered that administering stem cells into the eye through injection can delay or prevent the effects of early-stage macular degeneration associated with ageing. According to lead researcher Shaomei Wang of Cedars-Sinai, their study is the first of its kind in terms of presenting a vision preservation with a single stem cell injection.

For this research, the authors derived stem cells from humans, and injected them into laboratory rat models with age-linked macular degeneration. As a result, the animal models were able to preserve their vision for 130 days or approximately 16 years in humans.

As per the research team’s investigation, healthy cells began to move towards the retina and developed a protective layer when administered with induced neural progenitor stem cells, or iNPCs. These stem cells were deduced from the more notable induced pluripotent stem cells, or iPSCs. The protective layer formed was said to halt current degenerative mechanisms in the essential parts of the retina that facilitate vision.

Prior to the administration of the stem cells, the researchers initially obtained skin samples from humans and modified them into dynamic iPSC cells, which can be transformed continually into any cell in the human body. For the purpose of this study, the iPCs were augmented to become iNPCs.

The iNPCs were said to be excellent sources of adult-derived cells that can have significantly potent effects to the deceleration of mechanisms involved in vision loss linked to macular degeneration, researcher Clive Svendsen said in journal Stem Cells. He added that although pre-clinical information are still required, their organisation is close to being a source of viable adult stem cells for the varied needs of human with different diseases.

The researchers will further delve into the concept by performing tests related to the accuracy and safety of stem cell injections in preclinical animal researches. This is to obtain ample data that can help generate a new investigational medication. Design of clinical trials will then follow so as to test the possible outcomes in individuals diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration in its late stages.

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