Newly discovered cells in the limbus of the cornea can cure eye diseases and prevent blindness
Scientists at the University of Southampton, UK, have discovered specific cells in the eye that can lead to a new procedure to treat and cure eye diseases that cause blindness.
The study showed that cells called stromal corneal limbus, taken from the front surface of the eye has properties of stem cells and can be grown to create retinal cells.
The discovery could lead to new treatments for eye diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa or age-related macular degeneration, a common cause of vision loss in older people and that will affect about one in every three people in the UK aged 70.
Moreover, the study suggests that the use of cells of limbal corneal in humans would be beneficial since it would avoid complications with infection or rejection because the cells of the eye removed are returned to the same patient.
"This is an important step in our research into the prevention and treatment of blindness and eye diseases. We were able to characterize the stromal cells of the corneal limbus that lie on the front surface of the eye and identify corneal layer which they came. Then we saw that these cells in culture assumed properties of retinal cells, "says study leader Andrew Lotery.
The team is now investigating whether these cells can be removed from the front of the eye and can be used to replace diseased cells in the back of the eye on the retina. If successful, this method could open new ways of treating people with conditions that can cause blindness.
According to the investigators, this is a promising discovery since the corneal limbus is one of the most accessible of the human eye and representing 90% of the thickness of the front wall of the eye. Therefore cells can be easily obtained from this area with little risk to vision. "However more needed research to develop this approach, before being used in patients, "concludes Lotery.
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