Cellular technology in treatment of retinal diseases
The article analyzes the experience of cellular technology application in the treatment of retinal degenerative diseases. Experimental studies proved the ability of stem cells for self-renewal, migration, integration and subsequent differentiation into most types of retinal nerve cells, including photoreceptors. The article describes the experience of application and complications arising from the application of the following types of stem cells: retinal pigment epithelium cells, neural stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells, bone marrow cells, cord blood stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells. Main mechanisms of cells action are discussed, namely replacement therapy and paracrine effect. The article marks the role of stem cells in the induction of angiogenesis, suppressing the local inflammatory response and apoptosis. In conclusion, the author describes the use of hematopoietic stem cells of human umbilical cord blood for restoring visual impairment in patients with normotensive glaucoma.