A new study found that stem cells taken from the eyes of deceased individuals may help find a cure for blindness.
Researchers state that retinal cells taken from corpses continue to survive after being implanted in the eyes of living monkeys. Notably, the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), which is a layer of cells in the eye that transports nutrients and waste to and from the retina, also acts as a barrier and helps regulate light receptors, making it essential for normal vision. According to experts, weakness in the retinal pigment epithelium is a major cause of blindness, including leading to disorders like macular degeneration, which affects approximately 200 million people worldwide.
Repairing retinal cells with human stem cells has achieved a milestone, as scientists have successfully repaired retinal cells in monkeys using human stem cells for the first time. Co-author of the study, Dr. Timothy Blenkinsop from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in the United States, stated: "We have shown that RPE cells taken from a human corpse can partially treat and improve vision when transplanted in non-human primates. The cells derived from donors of human corpses can be safely implanted under the retina and improve host visual function, thus they may be a promising source of treatment to restore vision to patients with retinal issues."
### Treating Blindness Without Side Effects
During the study, researchers implanted stem cells taken from donor eyes beneath the retinal pigment epithelium, which is the central part of the retina. After the surgery, the implanted patches remained stable for at least three months without causing any serious side effects. Additionally, the study's authors noted that the retinal pigment epithelium established by human stem cells partially integrated with the old retinal cells. Blenkinsop adds that it was able to successfully support light receptors in the eye without causing retinal scarring.
It is noteworthy that these unique cells could serve as an "unlimited resource" for human retinal pigment epithelium, which could help restore sight to millions around the world. However, scientists warn that further research and studies will be necessary to understand how this procedure would work in humans.
