Lab-grown corneas could prevent blindness

ConclusionThis study has identified that the cell surface protein Abcb5 is necessary for normal function of LSCs in renewing the cornea. It has also shown that LSCs can be separated out from other cells through the use of antibodies to the Abcb5 protein without causing damage to the LSCs. This means that it should be possible to gather these cells (in preference to other cells) and use them to provide the best chance for a successful corneal transplant.It is important to note that the mice were given genetically identical grafts or completely immunosuppressed so that they did not reject the grafts. At present, human recipients of donor corneal transplants also have to have immunosuppression to try to prevent the body from rejecting the transplant, unless the corneal transplant was from their good eye (but this can lead to a risk of LSC deficiency in this donor eye). Rejection is a common problem that currently affects around one in five transplant cases.Immunosuppression and possible rejection would still be a consideration in using this new technique. Though there is a possibility that researchers may be able to find a way to harvest normal LSCs from the person requiring the transplant and multiply them in the laboratory, before transplanting them back. Though this research provides a new approach to capturing important cells for corneal regeneration, more research to develop the technique and make sure it is safe will be required before human trials can take place.As is...
Source: NHS News Feed - Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Genetics/stem cells Source Type: news