New approaches to improving corneal transplant survival in a pre‐clinical model

Abstract

AbstractCornea transplantation has been a target for mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) therapy for several years with a number of publications highlighting the therapeutic potential and mechanism of action of these cells. It is widely known that MSC possess potent anti‐inflammatory capabilities and are able to modulate the activity of a wide array of immune cells including T cells, B cells, dendritic cells and macrophages. This modulation occurs through both cell–cell contact and the paracrine release of soluble factors such as nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2.High risk cornea transplant recipients suffer from a much higher rate of rejection than the average patient. Factors which place patients at high risk of rejection include corneal ulcers, bullous keratopathy or a failed previous graft. These conditions frequently lead to increased blood and lymphatic vessel infiltration to the recipient graft bed and/or some pre‐existing high immunological risk. As outcomes for lower risk cornea transplant recipients, such as those who require a transplant as a result of keratoconus, improves the field is shifting its focus to improve outcomes for more complex cases.In this presentation, I will discuss the therapeutic potential of MSC to promote corneal transplant survival in both low‐ and high‐risk pre‐clinical models and its pathway to potential clinical translation.Funding received for this work.This work was supported by Science Foundation Ireland (12/IA/1624), by a grant from the European Commission [FP7 Collaborative Health Project VISICORT (grant number 602470), www.visicort.eu], by infrastructural funds from the European Regional Development Fund and by the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement no. 814439.Keywords: corneal transplantation, high risk, mesenchymal stromal cells, immunomodulation, regulatory cells, tolerance.