A team of researchers comprised of various researchers from Japanese institutions claims to have transplanted human embryonic stem cell tissue into monkey models of retinitis pigmentosa, also known as eye disease, according to a news release. The team hopes to use their findings to develop a method to cure certain types of blindness in humans.
Retinitis pigmentosa is an eye disease that results from the degeneration of the retina, which ultimately leads to a loss of vision. However, due to the complexity of the retina's makeup, this disease is very difficult to treat in comparison to diseases that affect other eye parts. In an attempt to find a better method of treating this disease, the researchers focused on the possibility of growing a new retina using human embryonic stem cells (hESCs).
Toi begin with, the team first showed that it is possible to grow retina photoreceptor layers using hESCs. The team then transplanted terinal tissue into monkeys using a grafting technique. After monitoring the tissue growth researchers discovered that synaptic contacts between the grafts and host retina occurred in several instances.
The results leave open the possibility for the procedure to be used in humans to cure blindness, although more research and human clinical trials are required.
The findings were published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
