Stem Cell Jab Could Be a Cure for Blindness

sikdogg · 11-15-2006, 10:21 PM

More stem cell research....

Quote:

Stem Cell Jab Could Be a Cure for Blindness

Daily Mail

11-10-06

REVOLUTIONARY stem cell treatment developed by British scientists could help restore sight in the blind.

In a world first, sight has been restored, at least partially, by replacing damaged retinal cells with stem cells.

Experts described the research as 'stunning' and said the transplants could transform the lives of hundreds of thousands who have lost their sight with the first operations taking place within a decade.

Among those who could benefit are victims of macular degeneration the most common cause of blindness in the elderly and those who have lost their sight as a complication of diabetes.

Eye surgeon and researcher Dr Robert MacLaren said there are 300,000 patients with macular degeneration and the number is going to treble in the next 25 years as individuals live longer.

'To have something in our pockets that might be a treatment we could offer patients is very exciting,' he said.

The researchers, from University College London and London's Moorfields Eye Hospital, used stem cells basic cells with the ability to turn into different types of tissue to restore the vision in blind mice.

The cells were injected into the back of the eye where they replaced damaged photoreceptors the tiny light-sensitive cells on the retina.

Until now, there was no way of reversing the damage and previous stem cell transplants had failed.

Central to the success of the technique was the selection of cells which were slightly more mature than those tried by other scientists.

These cells turned into photoreceptors and successfully connected with the nerves leading to the brain. By shining light into the animals' eyes, the researchers were able to show that vision had been restored to around a quarter of normal levels. Increasing the number and type of cells transplanted could improve sight even further.

The scientists caution that the technique is still in its infancy. But Dr MacLaren, of Moorfields Eye Hospital, said: 'This research is the first to show photoreceptor transplantation is feasible. We are now confident that this is the avenue to pursue to uncover ways of restoring vision to thousands.' The Royal National Institute of the Blind said it was important not to raise the hopes of patients until human trials had been carried out.

f.macrae@dailymail.co.uk

HOW IT MIGHT WORK

This is the operation that could cure macular degeneration - the most common cause of blindness in the elderly

1 Surgeon uses tiny scalpel to remove cells from the edge of the retina 2 Stem cells extracted in laboratory. Using growth proteins they are coaxed into multiplying and turning into photoreceptor cells 3 At eight to ten weeks the cells are transplanted into the retina 4 The photoreceptor stem cells complete transformation after about three weeks and connect to nerves leading to brain inproving patients sight