[Personalized Ophthalmology - Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells for In Vitro Modelling of Retinal Degenerative Diseases].

[Personalized Ophthalmology - Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells for In Vitro Modelling of Retinal Degenerative Diseases]. Klin Monbl Augenheilkd. 2018 Feb 16;: Authors: Brandl C, Weber BHF Abstract Today, the search for therapeutic options to treat retinal degeneration often relies on an in-depth understanding of the underlying pathological events. Alternatively, it is conceivable to search, in an undirected screening approach, for chemical compounds affecting disease outcome. For both approaches, there is an urgent need for in vitro and, ideally, in vivo disease models that adequately reflect the site of pathology. Currently available animal models possess limitations as they often develop only defined aspects of disease. Primary cell cultures, derived from the posterior pole of the eye, can only be obtained after invasive surgery or are available post mortem, but due to rapid cell senescence are not suited for long-term analysis. Immortalized retinal cell lines, on the other hand, differ in many aspects from native cells. In this situation, a promising alternative could arise from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). This cell species can be generated via non-invasive techniques, they are patient-specific, can be propagated indefinitely, and theoretically can be differentiated in all types of retinal cells due to their pluripotent capacities. Importantly, the iPSC-derived retinal cells greatly resemble native cells in many characte...
Source: Klinische Monatsblatter fur Augenheilkunde - Category: Opthalmology Tags: Klin Monbl Augenheilkd Source Type: research