Glaucoma is a disease that can cause blindness. The vision loss due to RGC death in glaucoma is irreversible. Stem cells currently being investigated have great potential as a possible therapy for glaucoma, because they may have the potential to replace degenerated ocular tissue in glaucoma.
Reducing intraocular pressure (IOP) is currently the only proven treatment strategy for glaucoma. Ace Therapeutics provides specialized services in glaucoma drug development, offers the opportunity to develop drugs for glaucoma using stem cell technology and stem cell-based therapies to restore vision loss due to glaucoma.
Introduction of Stem Cell-Based Gene Therapy Development for Glaucoma
Stem cell therapy for glaucoma is an exciting possibility. During the progression of glaucoma, elevated IOP leads to RGC degeneration. Although some glaucoma drugs can stimulate aqueous outflow to lower IOP, there are currently no drugs available to improve damaged RGCs and other ocular cells. With stem cell technology, it is possible that such therapies could be developed.
Stem cells may have the potential to protect the optic nerve from damage and restore RGC function. Use pluripotent stem cells as a source of RGCs, or differentiate into other major neuronal cell types of the retina, to replace degenerated ocular tissue in glaucoma. Based on this, we may be able to differentiate stem cells into specific ocular tissues damaged in glaucoma and then implant them into specific parts of the eye to function.
Solutions of Stem Cell-Based Gene Therapy Development for Glaucoma
To develop stem cell therapies for glaucoma, we need stem cells that are readily available, easy to culture, safe and essentially autologous. In order to meet these conditions, we offer the following solutions.
Table 1. Our specific solutions for stem cell therapies for glaucoma.
| Cell Source | Solution |
|---|---|
| Adult tissue-derived stem cells | Adult stem cells of various origins have the potential to regenerate or replace retinal neurons. One solution we offer is the use of Müller stem cells, which share a common lineage with retinal neurons and derive from a common pluripotent progenitor cell. Müller stem cells are able to re-enter the cell cycle and generate neuronal progenitor cells that populate the ganglion cell layer. Another solution is mesenchymal stem cells. This cell type can play a protective role for the optic nerve. It can secrete cytokines to protect the optic nerve from damage. |
| Induced pluripotent stem cells | Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells are another potential source of cells. A specific solution is the pluripotent stem cell line that can be obtained from fibroblast cultures. Use these reprogrammed iPS cells for glaucoma treatment. |
Our Development Direction
We are committed to making progress in the field of optic nerve protection and cell replacement with stem cell-based glaucoma therapies. All developments are aimed at stopping vision loss and restoring vision in the development of glaucoma.
- To develop glaucoma stem cell therapies using an interdisciplinary approach of stem cell biology, neuroscience and tissue engineering.
- To study the protective mechanism of local retinal ganglion replacement and transplanted stem cells.
We provide stem cell technology to scientists and pharmaceutical companies worldwide, offering the possibility of glaucoma-related drug development. If you have interest and ideas for glaucoma stem cell therapy, you can contact us to be supported by a strong basic research service.
References
- Jayaram H, et al. Stem Cell Based Therapies for Glaucoma. 2011.
- Xitiz Chamling, et al. The Potential of Human Stem Cells for the Study and Treatment of Glaucoma. Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science, 2016; 57(5).