Abstract
Currently, there is no cure for the permanent vision loss caused by degenerative retinal diseases. One of the novel therapeutic strategies aims at the development of stem cells (SCs) based neuroprotective and regenerative medicine. The main sources of SCs for the treatment of retinal diseases are the embryo, the bone marrow, the region of neuronal genesis, and the eye. The success of transplantation depends on the origin of cells, the route of administration, the local microenvironment, and the proper combinative formula of growth factors. The feasibility of SCs based therapies for degenerative retinal diseases was proved in the preclinical setting. However, their translation into the clinical realm is limited by various factors: the immunogenicity of the cells, the stability of the cell phenotype, the predilection of SCs to form tumors in situ, the abnormality of the microenvironment, and the association of a synaptic rewiring. To improve SCs based therapies, nanotechnology offers a smart delivery system for biomolecules, such as growth factors for SCs implantation and differentiation into retinal progenitors. This review explores the main advances in the field of retinal transplantology and applications of nanotechnology in the treatment of retinal diseases, discusses the challenges, and suggests new therapeutic approaches in retinal transplantation.
Highlights
The retinal photoreceptors and the underlying retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) form a functional unit
A variety of retinal diseases fall into this pattern: retinitis pigmentosa (RP), Stargardt disease, and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) [1]
All these facts are very promising in theory, but many studies proved poor survival of stem cells transplanted in the subretinal space [6]
Summary
The retinal photoreceptors and the underlying retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) form a functional unit The destabilization of this relationship leads to the loss of photoreceptors and subsequent decrease in vision with the ultimate stage of blindness. Some of the arguments supporting the use of stem cells in retinal regeneration are (1) the low immunogenicity of SC and (2) the privileged immunological status of the eye. All these facts are very promising in theory, but many studies proved poor survival of stem cells transplanted in the subretinal space [6]. Most studied applications of nanoparticles in relationship with stem cells included cells’ tracking, imaging, biosensors, or carriers for bioactive molecules involved in stem cell differentiation [8]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
