The research progress in induced pluripotent stem cell in ophthalmology / 中华实验眼科杂志

ABSTRACT

The establishment of induced pluripotent stem cells(iPSCs)has been a major breakthrough in the field of stem cell research since 2006,and it made possible for the use of stem cells in treating retinal degenerative diseases.Research showed that fibroblast,B lymphocytes,neural stem cells,hair corneous cells,pancreatic cells,mesenchymal cells of umbilical cord stroma and amniotic membrane can be reprogrammed as iPSCs,and they are capable of differentiating into specific types of cells.Some novel developments in iPSCs study in ophthalmology also were observed over the past few years.Induced iPSCs can differentiate into retinal pigment epithelial cells,photoreceptors and other retinal cells,which lay a foundation for the therapy of retinal degenerative diseases.Differented from traditional treatment of stem cells,the generation of iPSCs makes it possible to utilize somatic cells derived from patients for stem cell therapy without provoking ethical and immunological problems.The generation of iPSCs,the current research about iPSCs in the ophthalmic field,the limitations of iPSCs in the clinic and their future development and application were reviewed.