Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Potential Applications in Treating Ocular Disease

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are remarkable in stem cell biology. Not only do they have significant tissue regeneration potential, but more recently their paracrine effects (either innate or through genetic augmentation) have become increasingly recognized as useful therapeutic approaches. In particular, clinical roles for MSC therapy in neuroprotection and immune suppression are likely to emerge. These therapeutic effects will be particularly advantageous in work on neurological tissues, because MSC-based molecular therapy could overcome some of the difficulties of long-term drug delivery to tissues, such as the eye, which are relatively inaccessible to systemic delivery (for example due to the blood retina barrier). MSC therapy is, therefore, poised for significant impact in ocular molecular therapeutics, particularly for chronic diseases, such as retinal degeneration, glaucoma, and uveitis. Other molecular and tissue regeneration effects of MSCs are also likely to have impact in the management of ocular surface disease and oculoplastics.