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Review
. 2022 Jan-Dec:31:9636897221123512.
doi: 10.1177/09636897221123512.

Diversified Treatment Options of Adult Stem Cells for Optic Neuropathies

Shaoying Tan  1   2   3 , Yao Yao  1   4 , Qichen Yang  5 , Xiang-Ling Yuan  1   4 , Ling-Ping Cen  1 , Tsz Kin Ng  1   4   5
Affiliations
Review

Diversified Treatment Options of Adult Stem Cells for Optic Neuropathies

Shaoying Tan et al. Cell Transplant. 2022 Jan-Dec.

Abstract

Optic neuropathies refer to a group of ocular disorders with abnormalities or dysfunction of the optic nerve, sharing a common pathophysiology of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death and axonal loss. RGCs, as the retinal neurons in the central nervous system, show limited capacity in regeneration or recovery upon diseases or after injuries. Critically, there is still no effective clinical treatment to cure most types of optic neuropathies. Recently, stem cell therapy was proposed as a potential treatment strategy for optic neuropathies. Adult stem cells, including mesenchymal stem cells and hematopoietic stem cells, have been applied in clinical trials based on their neuroprotective properties. In this article, the applications of adult stem cells on different types of optic neuropathies and the related mechanisms will be reviewed. Research updates on the strategies to enhance the neuroprotective effects of human adult stem cells will be summarized. This review article aims to enlighten the research scientists on the diversified functions of adult stem cells and consideration of adult stem cells as a potential treatment for optic neuropathies in future clinical practices.

Keywords: adult stem cells; neuronal differentiation; neuroprotection; optic neuropathies; retinal ganglion cells.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Conflicting Interests: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Enhancement of adult stem cell properties. Priming or preconditioning of adult stem cells can enhance the properties of adult stem cells with hypoxia, electrical stimulation, laser irradiation or by chemicals, growth factors, cytokines or herbal medicine/molecules. CREB: cAMP response element-binding protein; CXCR: chemokine receptor; ERK: extracellular signal-regulated kinase; HIF: hypoxia inducible factor; IDO: indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase; JNK: c-Jun N-terminal kinase; MMPs: matrix metalloproteinases; NRF-2: nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2; PEG2: prostaglandin E2; ROS: reactive oxygen species; SOX9: sex determining region Y-box transcription factor 9; STAT3: signal transducer of activators of transcription 3.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Research progress of adult stem cells in optic neuropathies. Adult stem cells can be conveniently isolated from different tissues and organs, including adipose tissue, bone marrow, and periodontal ligament. Cell replacement therapy (based on the differentiation of adult stem cells into retinal ganglion cells [RGCs]) and the neuroprotective effects of adult stem cells (based on the neurotrophic factor and exosome secretion) have been investigated to alleviate the loss of RGCs and their axons and promote RGC survival and axonal regeneration. RNFL: retinal nerve fiber layer. Parts of the figure were created by Figdraw (www.figdraw.com).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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